5 Reasons Why You Need to Gather Data Before Doing Field Investigation

Noah Wieder | US Data API Blogs
7 min readApr 18, 2023
5 Reasons Why You Need to Gather Data Before Doing Field Investigation, Private Investigator Meeting
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As a private investigator, you play a crucial role in uncovering the truth behind various legal and personal issues. The nature of your work requires you to gather evidence that will help support your findings.

However, before you embark on fieldwork, you must gather as much data as possible about your subject.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the top five reasons you need to collect data before conducting a field investigation.

Stay with me until the end to know the different search tools available to help you carry out investigative orders successfully.

5 Reasons Why You Need Verified Data Before Doing Fieldwork

1. Understand the Background Information

Gathering background information about the subject can help you uncover potential risks, identify potential witnesses, and build a stronger case. By understanding the subject’s background information, you can better understand the investigation’s context and make informed decisions based on that information.

2. To Determine Potential Risks

Identifying potential risks before conducting fieldwork is crucial for your safety. Before conducting any fieldwork, it’s essential to gather as much data as possible to determine potential risks.

One of the best ways to gather data is by conducting a background check on the subject. This check can reveal if the subject has a history of violent behavior, is known to carry weapons, or has a criminal record.

Once you have identified potential risks, develop a safety plan to ensure your safety during the investigation. This plan may include hiring additional personnel, using protective gear, or avoiding confrontational situations whenever possible. Data and identifying potential risks are crucial to ensuring a successful and safe private investigation.

3. Identify Potential Witnesses and Contacts

Gathering data can help you identify potential witnesses and contacts that may have valuable information about the subject. This information can build a stronger case and help you understand the subject’s behavior and actions.

To identify potential witnesses and contacts, various search tools, such as a Background Check tool, can help you find the subject’s relatives, neighbors, and business associates.

These tools can provide you with contact information and background details, allowing you to reach out to these individuals and gather the information that can be used to support your investigation.

By gathering data on the subject’s business associates, you may be able to identify individuals who have worked closely with the subject and may be familiar with their past actions or behavior.

Similarly, by gathering data on the subject’s neighbors, you can identify individuals who have observed the subject and can provide valuable insights.

4. Build a Stronger Case

To build a stronger case, you need to have solid evidence that supports your findings. Gathering data can help you in this regard, as it provides you with a wealth of information that you can use to back up your claims.

Moreover, gathering data before conducting fieldwork can also identify potential weaknesses in your case. If you discover inconsistencies or conflicting information during the data-gathering stage, you have time to address these issues before conducting the investigation.

5. Save Time and Resources

In addition to prioritizing your efforts, gathering data beforehand can help you avoid wasting time and resources on dead ends. For example, if you are investigating a subject’s financial activities, you can gather data on their properties, debts, potential bankruptcies and liens, and business connections to determine where to focus your investigation.

This can help you avoid pursuing leads that may not lead to relevant information and can save you valuable time and resources.

Furthermore, having comprehensive data on the subject can also prevent the need for additional fieldwork. For instance, if you have information on the subject’s place of employment, you can anticipate their routine and schedule and gather information.

Investigative Tools PIs Can Use in Fieldwork

As a private investigator, you have access to various tools that can help you gather data in the field. Here are some of the investigative tools that you can use:

People Search: This tool allows you to search for individuals based on their name, address, phone number, or email address. People search can help you locate your subject, potential witnesses, or suspects by just having little information about them.

Skip Trace: Skip trace is used to locate individuals who have gone missing or have intentionally avoided being found. You can use skip trace to locate missing persons, debtors, or suspects.

Background Check: A background check provides in-depth details about an individual’s information, such as personal and current property details, addresses, neighbors, email addresses, relatives, vehicles, criminal history, financial reports, and other online resources about your subject.

Criminal Records Search: A criminal records search provides information about an individual’s criminal history. Criminal records searches can help you identify potential suspects or uncover information relevant to the investigation.

Marriage and Divorce Records Search: Marriage and divorce records searches can provide information about an individual’s marital history, including past and current spouses. This information can be useful in cases involving divorce or infidelity.

Vehicle Owner Search: A vehicle owner search can provide information about the registered owner of a vehicle. This information can be useful in hit-and-run accidents, vehicle theft, asset recovery, or other related crimes.

Place of Employment Search: An employment search can provide information about an individual’s previous and current employers. This information can be useful in wage garnishment, collection efforts, and tenant screening cases.

Searchbug’s Search Tools

Searchbug is an online data company with over 40+ search tools private investigators, businesses, and individuals use for business and personal use. It sources data from extensive public and private databases to help private investigators find the information they need quickly and efficiently.

Here are a few search tools you can use as a private investigator:

  1. People Search
  2. Advanced Background Check
  3. Criminal Records Search
  4. Marriage and Divorce Search
  5. Property Search
  6. Reverse Phone Number Lookup
  7. Reverse SSN Lookup
  8. Reverse Address Lookup
  9. Bank Account Search
  10. Driver License Search
  11. Vehicle Owner Search
  12. Verified Place of Employment Search
  13. Eviction Search

What PIs Say About Searchbug

Searchbug has been assisting private investigation firms and solo investigators since 1995. As technology advances, thus our tools help PIs perform investigations successfully.

In their own words, here are a few feedbacks from private investigators using Searchbug’s search tools for their line of work.

According to the Google Review Dana gave, she’s been using the site for years as a private investigator and now as a retired private investigator. She added that she loved Searchbug and found it more accurate than any other service she has tried. Dana also mentioned that she had been using the site for over 15 years and believed it was worth every dollar spent. Aside from that, she further noted that the prices were fair and in line with competitors.

Searchbug Review from Private Investigator

Another review was given by George from Los Angeles, and we quote, “The staff members at Searchbug have been professional, effective, sincere, and very reasonably priced. It’s hard to find private investigation resources (especially internet-based) that you can trust and not worry about getting locked into a hidden contract. I salute your operation and recommend Searchbug to any department that needs to meet and keep rigorous record-keeping standards. Searchbug represents an important component of our information acquisition protocols. Hat’s off to you!”

Lastly, Amanda, a loyal customer since 2011, left a review on Sitejabber about her experience with Searchbug. According to her, she uses Searchbug quite a bit for her work. She often had to look up a client’s new information; the tools almost always helped her find what she was looking for. It’s a great tool to have at her fingertips as it makes locating needed info a breeze. Amanda emphasized that it’s much better than checking several sites and still not finding what she needs.

Key Takeaway

As a private investigator, you understand the importance of gathering accurate and comprehensive data to support your findings. The search tools offered by Searchbug can be incredibly useful in this regard, providing you with access to valuable information that can help you build a stronger case, identify potential risks, and save time and resources.

By utilizing the investigative tools available on Searchbug’s website, you can take your investigations to the next level and improve your chances of success while minimizing risks before fieldwork.

So why not give it a try? Visit the Searchbug website today and see how our search tools can benefit your next investigation.

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Noah Wieder | US Data API Blogs

Exploring US data APIs. Everything from identity verification, to lead gen, to compliance. Follow for insights to help businesses leverage data effectively.