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To
Use an Investigator or Database?
Should
you use an expert / investigator or
database to get the answers you need? A
basic rule of thumb is if the
information you seek can be found in a
public record it is usually more
desirable to use an online database
service provider so that you incur lower
costs and faster turnaround time,
however, if your needs require
consultation and advice and/or
professional investigation services
(i.e. detailed background investigation
with interviews of former spouses /
landlords / business partners, asset
investigations, due diligence / business
mergers, etc…) it is best to use a
licensed investigator.
Considerations
for using an expert / investigator or
database are as follows:
DATABASE
CONSIDERATIONS
Advantages
of using a database:
§
Reduces
overall case costs
§
Faster
turnaround time
§
Services
can be paid by credit card online
§
Services
are available 24 hours a day / 7 days a
week
Disadvantages
of using a database:
§
Information
may not be up-to-date. Often records
will be out-of-date by as much as 1 –
2 years.
§
Database
coverage may be limited.
§
Searches
are restricted to certain criteria which
may exclude the records / information
you are seeking, particularly when
conducting searches with common names.
§
Databases
cannot interpret or analyze collected
data and make decisions on how to
proceed further in the investigation.
EXPERT
/ INVESTIGATOR CONSIDERATIONS
Advantages
of using an Expert / Investigator:
An
expert / investigator:
§
has
a much higher probability in
successfully obtaining the type of information needed than when utilizing an online
database service provider.
§
will
be more
detailed and thorough in conducting
investigations; will return hits
and/or report records with similar name
spelling while conducting record
searches whereas a database will not
(i.e. records found in first names,
Charles, Charlie, Chas, are all reported
instead of just Charles).
§
has
the
experience, skills and knowledge
necessary to direct the investigation,
utilizing the fastest means to obtain the information or records you seek whereas
a database cannot.
§
will
have
resources that are not found in public
records or databases. An expert will
have “inside” sources or
contacts that will enable him to
find valuable pertinent information for
your investigation.
§
has
the ability
to analyze collected data and make
decisions based on his findings to
further the investigation, whereas a
database does not.
§
will
sift through all intelligence gathered
during an investigation and will make a determination
of relevant findings, only listing
the information of value to you, thereby
reducing the time needed to read your
report.
§
Can
determine if other persons
having the same name or similar name in
close proximity to each other are the
Subject or not. This is extremely
important when conducting asset
investigations as judgments may be
levied against the wrong party if an
investigation is not conducted in this
regard.
§
Provide
consultation services and strategies
best suited to your needs based upon
his experience on similar investigations
in the past. An expert will be able to
answer your questions and provide
solutions to your problems immediately,
whereas a database cannot.
§
Factual
information is verified for accuracy
by an expert and is up-to-date.
Often databases are usually up-dated
only annually or quarterly and may not
be accurate for this reason.
§
has
a broader
range of services available
than a database service provider.
§
can
conduct checks and provide services in
geographic regions not covered by
database service providers.
§
will
provide a written
report detailing and providing
explanations for his findings and
conclusions.
§
Services
can be paid by credit card online.
Disadvantages
of using an Expert / Investigator:
§
Slower
turnaround time
§
Higher
costs
§
Availability
is usually limited to normal business
hours
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