| Locating a missing individual depends on several | | | | It is imperative to search, verify and follow up leads |
| factors. They may include the character of the missing | | | | until all have been exhausted or the missing person |
| person, the length of time missing, the geographical | | | | found. |
| landscape and resources available. | | | | For investigators, the resources available are |
| With resolve and adequate information, it is possible to | | | | exhaustive. Computerized records can generate |
| locate just about anyone. However, there are variables | | | | various sources as well as faulty information. While an |
| that can turn the most simple of searches into the | | | | investigation is performed, it requires finding data and |
| most difficult ones. | | | | then sifting the accurate from the inaccurate. An |
| Finding a lost friend is sometimes as simple as calling | | | | investigator requires all possible information to find a |
| directory assistance or using CD roms. These could | | | | missing individual. It is rare that a few telephone calls |
| produce valuable leads that, in turn, could produce | | | | find a missing person. |
| successful searches. Locating a debtor could be a little | | | | Most investigators have three ways of agreeing to an |
| more difficult. | | | | assignment. They are: flat fee, budgeted and simply |
| Generally, people are aware of the resources | | | | finding the missing person. The flat fee investigation |
| available. It is another matter that those resources are | | | | involves a higher fee for finding a missing person and a |
| strangely overlooked. It is astonishing that many people | | | | lesser fee for a failed case. Then there are the "no |
| have been found through the telephone book or | | | | find/no fee" plans. Though this may sound good ? it |
| directory assistance, after initially overlooked by the | | | | can cost you $100 for a successful case - it offers no |
| client. Public records, such as court files, motor vehicle | | | | incentive for the investigator to give his best to the |
| records and property records can be competent | | | | search. |
| sources of useful information. Resolve, is the key here. | | | | |