BACKGROUND CHECKS
    It is entirely possible to use today's Internet to do a background check, and replace the telephone for information you will need in investigation of a case, such as the weather conditions and other items that go in reports. This is only a partial list, and addresses of these sites seem to be constantly changing.

• Address Browser Finds address of people who have moved and Zip+4
• Adoption Searches - For adoption-related searches.
• ATT 1-800 Directory - List of all 800 numbers.
• Big Book Yellow Pages - The Yellow Page (business) directory.
• Big Brother - A Mega-site of Finder tools, highly recommended.
• FAA Aircraft Registry - If still available, tracks airplane markings.
• Find E-mail Addresses - See if suspect has e-mail address.
• Domain Finder - Trace the owner of an Internet address.
• Forensic FACES (LSU) - Computer reconstruction using forensic anthropology.
• Fraud Center - National Center for fraud investigation.
• Internet Lost and Found - For things that are missing
• National Check Fraud Center - NEW address for this important service.
• GTE Superpages - Another telephone directory.
• MapQuest - Locate any address and see how to get there.
• Military Locator Service - Designed to track your old service buddies.
• Missing Kids - The National Clearinghouse for 1-800-The Lost.
• National Address Server - Gives correct address and Zip+4.
• Netcheck Commerce Bureau - For researching businesses.
• NYNEX Big Yellow Pages - Another Yellow Pages directory.
• Research a Company - Corporate directorates of Wall Street companies.
• Social Security Number FAQ - Discussion of personal privacy issues.
• Switchboard.com - A people search tool. Online version of a cris-cros directory.
• Telephone Directories Master Telephone Directory of Online Directories.
• Vital Records - Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce records.
• Virtual Gumshoe - a comprehensive site with Find Anybody search tools.
• Virtual World of Intelligence - A Mega-site for Intelligence/Privacy issues.
• Weather Net - Online weather records and forecasts.

OUTLINE AND DISCUSSION OF INVESTIGATIVE RESOURCES
    I. FAMILY & FRIENDS - First stop of choice to establish person's routine, employment, reputation, hangouts, and/or present location. It's amazing how willing people are to tell all they know about someone, even if they implicate themselves. If done over a telephone, there's no need to administer Miranda warnings.

    II. CRIMINAL RECORD - "In God we Trust, all others we run NCIC." The NCIC database pulls up anything greater than a class C misdemeanor. More extensive records, called "rap sheets" are obtained from State Police Criminal Records Divisions, sometimes referred to as LEADS from sites like 123nc.com and Infotel. There is controversy over how useful Rap sheets really are, as some contain errors and many contain arcane codes signifying you were once under investigation but never cleared. Most states have procedures for viewing your rap sheet, but to clean it up requires a District Attorney's order for expungement, which is a privilege not a right, and even then, you are still bound to report the matter for employment purposes. Your FBI file can be obtained by exercising your rights under the Freedom of Information Act, but chances are they don't have anything on you unless you were suspected of subversive or immoral activities at the national level. Most places charge a fee to obtain records, and you'll probably need a good attorney to process an expungement.

    III. DRIVING RECORD - Good source for signature comparisons, alternative addresses, vehicle history, run-ins with the law, and an indicator of alcohol abuse. Departments of Motor Vehicles are known for good record-keeping. DMV's also keep vehicle histories, so for every VIN number, there is extensive information on all previous owners of the vehicle. DMV's are used extensively as part of Skip Tracing Resources to track endorsers, borrowers, and comakers.

    IV. BIRTH, DEATH, MARRIAGE & DIVORCE RECORDS - These Vital Records often provide info. on family & income useful in developing leads. The most common situation involves medical records, which many Fortune 500 companies admit they use when processing job applicants.

    V. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ANALYSIS - Tells you where they most likely skipped to, based on theory criminals always return home or keep in touch. Visit the Social Security Number FAQ for an overview on privacy issues in this area.

    VI. COUNTY CLERK RECORDS - voting, hunting, tax assessments, family histories, small claims, licenses & other information about you is easily accessible at any courthouse.

    VII. EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS - normally you can't get transcripts, but all that was in phone books, yearbooks, and other school records are easily obtainable. Talking with former teachers, registrars, or looking up old roommates are often helpful sources of information.

    VIII. MILITARY SERVICE - Locator service free, but the suspect will find out you inquired if you want copies of their records.

    IX. CIVIL SERVICE - Office of Personnel Management service free, but again, they'll tell the suspect you inquired if you want personnel records.

    X. POSTAL ADDRESS - If using P.O. box or other kind of mail drop scheme, the Post Office cooperates in giving out your street address and other information. Technically, this is allowed only if business purposes are involved, but information can be voluntarily given.

    XI. CRIS-CROS DIRECTORY - R.L. Polk & Co's reverse phone books by street address. They're expensive, but one exists for every city in America. If you have a partial phone number, you can track it down this way. If you have an address, you can get the phone number. If you want all the phone numbers on a block, you can get it. The Online version of this is at Switchboard.com. Not to be confused with CRISxCROS, a mega-search engine.

    XII. WORKER'S COMPENSATION BOARD RECORDS - if unrestricted under varying policies, you can find out about medical conditions, care regimens, etc. Also don't forget Hospital records and Insurance Company files.

    XIII. BANKRUPTCY RECORDS - often part of public records that gives employment and financial histories as well as creditors and collection departments that keep track. Don't forget Bondsmen as these agencies work with professional criminals all the time.

    XIV. IRS RECORDS - open if case involves child support or other matters subject to federal regulation, an OCSE office is located in every region for this purpose.

    XV. WELFARE RECORDS - depends upon varying policies, but local public assistance records are generally accessible, with State and Federal assistance often willing to cooperate.

    XVI. GENEALOGICAL RECORDS - National Archives (NARA), regional offices in every Presidential Library, includes records on all Native Americans, Immigrants, and Passport Applications.

    XVII. EMBASSY & CONSULAR OFFICES - to see who has diplomatic immunity, also to see if your suspect has been overseas because they track all foreign travel.

    XVIII. CREDIT HISTORY - By law, only available for credit, business, or employment purposes, but credit reporting agencies are often willing to cooperate with law enforcement. These records may contain errors, and are hard to clean up.