Spies Online

[ColbyMc]

OK- I don't have permissions for creating a poll yet, but I would like to hear some feedback from others (based on experience) about the many subscription databases available to investigators. These information brokers will not mention their source of data, but all claim to have the most updated comprehensive information available. However, there is a substantial difference between them and it usually takes a couple different databases to obtain a complete search.

Case in point: I was searching for a convicted murder for a client with only a name, state and estimated age. Without the DOB a match didn't work with PublicData, but I got a DOB hit on IRB. So I checked for criminal records through IRB and only got a couple traffic crimes, no felony records. I searched again with PublicData using the DOB and got a very long list of crimes, including the murder, along with all the detailed case information.

IRB is fairly reasonable in cost, but PublicData is far cheaper. Others look very good but are also very expensive (People-Finders.ws). I hear from others that Accurint, Securint and IRB use the same sources, are they the same company? KnowX won't load in my browser, and USSearch hasn't answered their phone.

Right now my favorite is PublicData. Why? Because for $25 you get 250 searches. But only searches that are searched in more detail are counted against the alloted number. Every time I clicked the search button with IRB is was considered a search , information found or not. PublicData also makes it easy to get hundreds additional searches for free. (I got 100 just for using my credit card to pay the $25!) And the best thing is the alloted number of searches lasts for a year.

My choice: PublicData

What's yours?
_________________
CONFIDENTIAL INVESTIGATIONS AGENCY, LLC

Colby McCormick OBI#2004154
Based in the beautiful Willamette Valley
and providing services throughout Oregon.
cia-oregon@usa.com www.cia-oregon.us

[Spies Online]

Here's an article (which I had to retrieve from the Way Back Machine) that you might enjoy:

http://web.archive.org/web/20021004121223/http://locateplus.com/PIDatabases.asp

[ColbyMc]

Thanks for the article link Joanne, that is very helpful - even if it isn't the most current.

Although, I really have to wonder why - when most investigators are state licensed and can have access to non-public information - we don't have access to the same databases that law enforcement use. We are bound by state laws and code of ethics, user access to the system is recorded, and like law enforcement, we also work to seek justice. Are they worried about abuse? If a police officer or a dispatcher abuses the system, for example to access data for personal means, they too can be prosecuted.

Anyway, I'm going to step down from my soap box and get some work done.

Thanks again Joanne!

-Colby
_________________
CONFIDENTIAL INVESTIGATIONS AGENCY, LLC

Colby McCormick OBI#2004154
Based in the beautiful Willamette Valley
and providing services throughout Oregon.
cia-oregon@usa.com www.cia-oregon.us

[SRI]

No one source seems to provide all the info we need. I prefer LocatePlus for the majority of my searches. They are reasonably priced and for the most part they provide relatively current and up to date information. I have tried to solve the problem by collecting various useful resources that I have organized into an excel spreadsheet. Now all I have to do is go to the category for the type of information I need (i.e. criminal records, license plate search, addresses etc.) and click on the link. I always list the best resources for that category as the top entries. I just recently found a new one that I have started using. It’s called AutoTrackXP. You can check it out at www.atxp.com. I have not used it enough to give it a full endorsement but it seems to be pretty good so far.
_________________
Security Resources Inc.
Phone: (910) 868-4401
Fax: (910) 868-4977
E-mail: sri@securityresourcesinc.com
www.securityresourcesinc.com