Looking for a family member who has lost contact, or someone who has intentionally gone missing and wants to remain hidden? There are many different reasons why people disappear. While there may be nothing sinister behind it, being unable to find someone you need to contact can be one of the hardest situations to be in.
Our expert detectives can help find missing persons. Our private investigators can trace someone’s address, whether that’s to reconnect with a family member, locate a debtor who has gone off the radar, or find a witness needed for legal proceedings. Being able to track someone down quickly and accurately is an essential skill, helping clients achieve closure, obtain justice, or access important information.
In this blog, we cover 6 ways that a private investigator can help find a missing person:
How Do Private Investigators Find a Missing Person?
Private investigators use a vast range of tools and techniques to find missing people who have intentionally or unintentionally disappeared.
Often, a missing person will relocate, changing their name and residential address to escape debt-related matters. Even with limited information surrounding their whereabouts, our detectives will use all possible resources to track them down.
Ways a Private Investigator Can Help Find a Missing Person
Finding a missing person is an incredibly difficult experience, and the feeling of uncertainty that comes with not knowing where they are or if they’re safe can be overwhelming. In these cases, it’s often hard to know what steps to take in order to try to locate them.
Fortunately, a private investigator (PI) experienced in finding missing persons may be able to offer invaluable help in pinpointing an individual’s whereabouts or uncovering information about their current situation. Below are some of the ways a PI can be of assistance:
1. Conduct a Thorough Search
A private investigator will conduct a thorough search for the missing person. This may include searching through public records, speaking to friends and family, and checking social media accounts. They will also look for any clues that may lead to the person’s whereabouts, such as credit card transactions or bank account activity.
2. Use Surveillance Techniques
Private investigators often use surveillance techniques to track down missing persons. This may involve following the person’s car, using GPS tracking devices, or setting up camera surveillance. Through the use of surveillance, investigators can determine where a person is or has been.
3. Analyse Data
Private investigators will often analyse data to find missing persons. This may include phone records, credit card statements, and email accounts. Through data analysis, investigators can get an idea of who the person is communicating with, where they have been recently, and other clues that may lead to their current whereabouts.
4. Public Records
A private investigator can search through public records to find information about a missing person. This may include electoral rolls, marriage certificates, birth certificates, and death records. They will also look for any court proceedings or legal documents related to the person in question.
5. Research Online Activity
Private investigators will research online activity for clues about the missing person. This may include looking up social media accounts, checking emails, or researching other online accounts that the person may have been using.
By researching online activity, investigators can often gather valuable information about a missing person’s current whereabouts or activities, making it a great way to quickly and efficiently locate someone who is missing.
6. Interview Witnesses
Private investigators will interview witnesses who may have seen the missing person or have information about their whereabouts. They may also conduct interviews with people who know the person, such as family members or friends. By interviewing witnesses, investigators can often get valuable information that can help them find a missing person.
7. Talk to colleagues and their employers
Private investigators may also talk to colleagues or the person’s employer in order to find out more information. This can help them determine if the person is missing due to a work-related issue or some other problem that could be resolved with further investigation.
8. Work with Law Enforcement
Private investigators can work with law enforcement to help locate a missing person. They can provide important evidence and information that can help police in their missing persons investigation. In some cases, private investigators may even be hired by the police to assist in their search for a missing person.
9. Open-Source Technology
OSINT involves legally gathering information on people or organisations from publicly available sources. These resources are found online to uncover basic intelligence and evidence, including names of individuals and their associates, phone numbers, email/ social accounts, and home addresses.
To do this, investigators use different layers of the World Wide Web:
The Surface Web – Publicly available websites indexed by search engines, such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo. This includes social media profiles, news articles, and other open sources.
The Deep Web – Content not retrievable by standard search engines, including password-protected pages and encrypted databases that may hold useful records or communications.
The Dark Web – A hidden network accessed via specialised browsers. Some investigations may require exploring these areas, but only trained professionals conduct Dark Web research legally and safely.
10. Perform Background Checks
Private investigators can run thorough background checks to uncover details that might assist in locating a missing person. This may include past addresses, employment history, known associates, criminal records, and financial activity.
The Expert Help You Need
Private investigators are an invaluable resource when it comes to finding a missing person. Their expertise, specialist tools, and extensive experience enable them to locate individuals quickly, discreetly, and efficiently. If you’re searching for a loved one, working with a professional investigator can make all the difference.
Whether you’re trying to find a missing family member, trace a former employee, or locate a customer who owes money, Global Investigations can assist. With decades of experience in tracking and tracing people, our dedicated private detectives deliver a highly effective and sensitive service tailored to each case.
If you require professional tracing services, contact our friendly team today on 08000 733 772. We’re here to support you with your missing person enquiry and help you find the answers you need.