What is a Database Investigation?
There are a number of different types of information sources for a private investigator and it’s not always about surveillance. An investigator can also utilise available online and electronic sources and carry out a database investigation. Many investigations can be solved without the PI having to leave their desk. It is rather specialised, and the database investigator will need access to these databases, and ideally years of expertise. The sources used by a specialist investigator are made up of three main categories:
1. Public information sources.
Some private detectives have a wealth of knowledge where information can be found. We don’t just use Google or Bing to search for information, although advanced searching using these engines can also yield results a ‘regular person’ may miss. There are numerous databases available that the public can access, but the public need to know these information sources exist in the first place. You can’t search for information in a place that you don’t know exists! An accomplished private investigator is constantly scouring the internet for these information sources. Sure, you can do the same thing, but is it worth spending all that time trying to find a piece of information when you can pay a professional for the information which may be at their fingertips. Integral Investigations also keeps close ties with some colleagues within the investigation industry and we do discuss new information sources when one of us has a new way of locating information.
2. Subscription Databases
Most information we can find whilst carrying out a database investigation however comes to us by having access to subscription databases. These may include property ownership and rental databases, to databases recording telephone numbers, emails, and all sorts of addresses. Most of the information contained in these databases is reverse-searchable. So for example, if we are given a phone number, we can enter the number into a search box and results may include a name and address. Then we can click on the address information and more results are generated such as other persons connected with the address in some way and at some time. Subscription databases can also include business and financial information, and some detail on criminal and civil litigations.
3. Online Platforms and Open Source Intelligence
When it comes to carrying out a database investigation using online platforms such as social media, news aggregators, a private investigator may have access to collection points where much of this information has already been collected and tabled, and lengthy and tiresome research for hours and hours may not be required. Many a time we have had clients say that they have exhausted all avenues themselves and after spending a huge amount of hours looking into a piece if information, the private investigator can find all of that plus more for literally an hour or two of their own database investigation.
Is There a Magic Button for a Database Investigation?
Remember though, when we carry out a database investigation, a private investigator does not have one magic button that we can click where the computer spits out a complete dossier on an individual like it does in the movies and on police shows. We have to work hard at it, and check many different sources all providing just a snippet of information. And even when this snippet presents itself, we at Integral Investigations have to cross-reference the detail to make sure it is correct before we can pass it back to a client. Some of our competitors take a literal screenshot from the databases mentioned and provide that to a client without making sure the detail is up to date or relevant. We stand by our results as cross-checked and accurate.
The rate charged for a database investigation may sound expensive at $330 per hour, but depending on what detail the client has to kick-off the investigation with, and what they are trying to achieve, we can often get the required results in just a few hours. We often just suggest a minimal commitment of just two hours investigation ($660) to see what we can ascertain in the first instance. Many clients get what they need for that basic two hours investment. If we need to go deeper from that point it is up to the client to guide us in what direction they wish to keep researching and the hourly research rate just continues.
If you have any questions relating to commencing a database investigation, just call us on 02 9460 4988 or email us at enquiries@integralinvestigations.com.au and you’ll get some free advice on what we might be able to do in your specific situation.
