Posted on Wed, May 16, 2012 @ 02:54 PM
Once upon a time a person could vanish without a trace. They could erase their history, move on to a new place, and forget their debt and crimes. No longer. With enough time and skill, anyone can be tracked down. They can’t hide anymore.
Skip tracing is the art of tracking those who don’t want to be tracked. At its core is a proficiency for collecting and sorting information. Finding sources, whether they be family members who might know where the person has gone, friends who have a phone number, or even a website that lists their new address, is important.
But often, the hardest part of a skip trace is finding that first crucial clue. Even the most powerful skip tracing technique is useless if your search is directionless.
That is where an investigative database comes in. These databases provide a crucial service: digging through hundreds of thousands of digitized records looking for related information. A good investigative database can provide you information on any family the skip might have, their email addresses, their full SSN, unpublished phone numbers, etc. Basically, an investigative database gives your skip trace a solid base to work off of.
Databases often give you valuable information on known associates, including roommates or significant others. Another great tool for tracking someone down is by a phone number. If you can find a phone number, that’s great, most databases have what is known as a “reverse lookup” that can provide information including account holder, phone carrier and address. Most databases can give you information on published and non-published landlines as well as information on cell phone numbers. Email addresses can work well also, although they are usually used as a last resort. If you can get a copy of an email from that address, you'll likely have the IP address that person is using. Reversing that will give you the region it came from.
While your trace should start at an investigative database, you usually won’t find all that you need there. You’ll still need to employ your favorite skip tracing techniques to nail down the address.
Remember that the best skip tracing techniques are specific. For example, a worker in a unionized industry probably joined the union at his new address. By checking in with the local union representative, you could quickly wrap up the case. It’s these tricks of the trade that make an investigator, a good one.
No matter whether you prefer psychological manipulation or digital forensics, the best place to start a skip trace is at an investigative database. You might be surprised how much information is available in the system.
Posted on Mon, Mar 05, 2012 @ 11:00 AM
Welcome to the first installment of the LocatePLUS blog's Back to Basics Series! Let's face it, we could all use a refresher every once in awhile. This segment of Back to Basics will cover common criminal record terms.
Here is the glossary, A through D:
Abduction
Taking away by violence or fraud and persuasion; kidnapping. Usually a female or wife, child or ward.
Abstraction
Taking away with intent to harm or deceive.
Accessory
Not the perpetrator of the crime but in some way involved without being present in the commission of the crime.
Accessory After the Fact
One who helps a criminal to elude arrest.
Accessory Before the Fact
One who induces another to commit a crime.
Acquittal
A not-guilty verdict absolving an accused party of guilt. Release or absolution.
Adjudication
The legal process by which a case or claim is settled. May also be the final pronouncement of judgment in a case or claim.
Adjudication Withheld
The court will withhold a decision until a future date. Usually some sort of probation is added and if the defendant complies with the conditions for a specified period of time, the case will be dismissed.
Affidavit
A voluntarily, written statement of fact, confirmed by oath.
Aggravated
(Assault, battery, arson, etc.) Circumstances surrounding the commission of a crime or tort which increase or add to its injurious consequences.
Aiding and Abetting
To assist and/or incite another to commit a crime.
Alias
False name used in substitution of a legal name on official documents and for official purposes. Nicknames are not considered aliases. May be noted as AKA (Also Known As) on criminal records.
Appeal
A complaint to a superior court to review the decision of a lower court.
Appellant
One who makes a complaint to a superior court to review the decision of a lower court.
Appellate Court
A court having jurisdiction of appeal and review. Not a trial court.
Appropriate
To take something from another for one’s own use or benefit.
Archive/Archives
The place where records are stored after a certain specified period of time. The period of time a record is held at a court of record may differ between courts and states.
Arraignment
A call to the accused to come before the court to hear charges or enter a plea.
Arrest
The taking of an individual into custody by law enforcement personnel for the purpose of charging them with an illegal act.
Arrest Record
An official form completed by the police department when a person is arrested. Also, a cumulative record of all instances in which a person has been arrested.
Arson
The attempted or intentional destruction of property by fire or explosion.
Assault
Intentional or threatened infliction of injury to another. The classification of "aggravated" is assigned when the injury is considered serious or when injury is threatened or carried out with the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon. The classification of "simple" is assigned when the injury inflicted or threatened is not serious and a deadly weapon is not used. May be used with Battery.
Bail
An amount of money, set by a judge at an initial appearance to ensure the return of the accused at subsequent proceedings.
Battery
Non-consensual, unlawful contact, such as touching, beating or wounding of another. See Assault. Bench Trial by judge, without jury.
Bench Warrant
A process delivered by the court directing a law enforcement agency to bring a specified individual before the court.
Bind Over
To put under bond to appear in court. The term is also used when a case is shifted from a lower court to a higher court.
Bond
A certificate of obligation, either unsecured or secured with collateral, to pay a specified amount of money within a specified period of time.
Bond Forfeiture
Bond forfeiture occurs when a case has been disposed and a fine is to be, or has been paid. If it is a first offense, it is listed on the record but not classified as a conviction; any other time it is classified as a conviction.
Bookmaking
An operation with the purpose of placing, registering, paying off or collecting debts for bets.
Burglary
The act of entering a premises, without the privilege to enter, with the purpose of committing a crime. States may classify as first, second, or third degree burglary.
Capital Case/Crime
Case or crime for which the death penalty may be imposed.
Capital Punishment
Punishment by death for capital crime.
Cause of Action
One or more related charges, combined and made against a defendant for wrongs committed.
Charge
In criminal law, a charge is an allegation that an individual has committed a specific offense.
Citation
An order issued by a law enforcement officer requiring appearance in court to answer a charge. Bail is not accepted in lieu of appearance.
Circuit
Judicial division of the United States or of an individual state.
Circuit Courts
Courts whose jurisdiction extends over several counties or districts. (There are thirteen judicial circuits wherein the U.S. Courts of Appeals reside).
City Court
Courts that try persons accused of violating municipal ordinances. City courts may have jurisdiction over minor civil or criminal cases, or both.
Civil Disorder
A violent public disturbance by three or more people which causes danger, damage or injury to property or persons.
Co-defendant
One of a group of two or more people charged in the same crime.
Compounding Crime
The receipt by an individual of consideration in exchange for an agreement not to prosecute or inform on someone who they know has committed a crime.
Concurrent Sentences
Two or more terms of imprisonment served simultaneously.
Conditional Discharge
A conviction. Court issues the discharge from the jail and requires defendant to comply with some conditions. Regardless whether defendant complies with rules or not, he/she is still convicted (GUILTY) and case can never be expunged.
Conditional Release
The release from a correctional facility before full sentence has been served which is conditioned on specific behavior. If conditions are not met, the individual may be returned to the facility.
Consecutive Sentences
Multiple sentences, served one after the other.
Conspiracy
The coming together of two or more people for the purpose of committing an unlawful act or to commit a lawful act by unlawful means.
Contempt of Court
An act committed which serves to obstruct the court in its administration or authority.
Controlled Substance
A drug whose availability is restricted by law.
Conversion
The unauthorized taking of another's property.
Conviction
Guilty verdict in a criminal trial.
Count/Charge
An offense named in a cause of action. A cause of action may contain multiple counts or charges, each relating to the others but identifying a separate offense.
Court of Record
The court where the permanent record of all proceedings is held.
Credit Card Fraud
Use, or attempted use of a credit card to purchase goods or services with the intent to avoid payment of such.
Criminal Nonsupport
Failure to pay child support in violation of court order.
Cumulative Sentence
A sentence that takes effect after a prior sentence is completed for crimes tried under the same cause of action.
Dangerous Weapon
Something that is capable, though not designed to cause serious injury or death.
Dead Docket
The case never went to trial. The case can be reopened if new evidence is submitted.
Deadly Weapon
A weapon designed to cause serious injury or death.
Defendant
A person against whom a cause of action is taken.
Deferred Adjudication of Guilt
The final judgment is delayed for a period of time. Can be likened to probation before a final verdict. If "probation" is completed without incident, the charges are usually dropped and the case is dismissed. During the "probationary period" the disposition is not necessarily considered a conviction.
Deferred Discharge
Dismissed and considered a non-conviction.
Deferred Probation
The judge doesn’t make a finding of guilt; he assigns probation. If probation is completed without incident, the charges are usually dropped.
Deferred Sentence
Postponement of the pronouncement of the sentence.
Defraud
Knowingly misrepresenting facts to cheat or trick.
Degree
(First, Second, or Third, A, B or C) Classification assigned to a crime, depending on circumstances, for purposes of determining punishment. First degree is considered most serious than third; A is more serious than C. Degrees may be assigned to the actual crime (IE: murder in the first or second degree) or the class of crimes (IE: felony or misdemeanor).
Directed Verdict
A determination by a jury, made at the direction of the judge. A directed verdict happens in cases where there has been a lack of evidence, an overwhelming amount of evidence, or where the law is in favor of one of the parties.
Dismissal
Finally disposing of the cause without further consideration. May be voluntary or involuntary. When involuntary, there is usually lack of prosecution or failure to produce sufficient evidence.
Dismissal without Leave After Deferred
Prosecution Charges dismissed after specified time (90 days to 1 year) provided certain conditions have been met such as participating in specified program of anger control or drug counseling or providing community service, etc.
Disposed/Disposition
The final settlement in the matter. Examples of disposed cases are those with a finding of guilt (conviction), innocence, or acquittal.
Diversion Program
To set aside. A court direction which calls a defendant, who has been found guilty, to attend a work or educational program as part of probation. May include some type of anger management, drug rehab, etc. If the condition of program is met, charge may be considered non-conviction.
Diversity of Citizenship
A crime or claim which extends between citizens of different states. This is one of the grounds that can be used to invoke the jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal District Court.
Docket Record
A court’s official record of proceedings and calendar of upcoming cases.
Driving While Intoxicated
Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Complete intoxication is not required. Individual state statutes specify the blood alcohol content at which a person is presumed to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
Due Diligence
A reasonable and expected measure of attention taken for a particular action. Not measurable by an absolute standard, but dependant on the situation.
Due Process of Law
Procedures followed by law enforcement and courts to insure the protection of an individual’s rights as assigned by the Constitution.
Stay tuned for the next series of glossary terms!