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The Do It Yourself Detective
Basic Tools Of A Search
Whenever I am involved in an investigation I always develop a checklist for it. My checklist is referred to time and time again from beginning of the investigation to the end. What I put on the checklist depends, of course, on the investigation, but there are three things that are on every single one. First, I use an easel and a large sheet of paper. I put the goal of my investigation at the top of my checklist in large letters and this seems to help me focus when I refer back to it. Next I put the players, the people involved and third, I put the facts of the case and information on who the players are in relation to the investigation.
After developing the list of people and how they are involved I can sit back and expand my list of information that I need to collect. When my list is written and I have filled in all the spaces that I can, I usually have completed a satisfactory investigation.
My point in telling you this is to encourage you to develop your own checklist if for no other reason than to help you keep track of what you have found and what is left for you to find.
Some of the things for your checklist could be: proper name: first, middle, last, nicknames, aliases, family or maiden name. Last known address of target person. Last known previous address of target person. Any previous addresses of family members. Last known telephone numbers of target. Last known telephone numbers of any family members. Social security number. Schools attended. Professional licenses acquired. Any previous employers or former friends. Military service. Possibly deceased.
Please feel free to use this checklist or develop your own. Either way, I strongly recommend using one as it will usually become the picture that the pieces of your puzzle will become. Write all information on it.
Part of your search will probably include, by necessity, interviews of people you develop for your checklist. If you are not well practiced in your techniques, I should caution you now to be friendly, courteous, humble and appreciative. These people you interview may hold the secret you search for. The trick that always works is to ask for help.
