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Finding & Backgrounding People

Research Madness March 22, 2010. Finding & Backgrounding People. When Do You Need to Research People?. You are searching for a job and want to learn more about the employees at a firm. You are conducting client development .

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Finding & Backgrounding People

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  1. Research MadnessMarch 22, 2010 Finding & Backgrounding People

  2. When Do You Need to Research People? • You are searching for a job and want to learn more about the employees at a firm. • You are conducting client development. • You need to find the address of a defendant for proper service of process. • You need to identify experts in a field. • You are appearing before a judge and want to know more about her record. • Others?

  3. Specialized Directories • Directories of Courts & Judgesresearch guide • Directories of Lawyersresearch guide • Directories of Expert Witnesses • Zimmerman’s Research Guide • WorldCat: Witnesses—United States—Directories

  4. Words of Warning • Today’s focus is on freely-available resources, or subscription resources which are available to Duke users. • Your law firm may have access to a wider variety of premium people-finding tools: • Westlaw PeopleMap (or WestlawNext) • LexisNexis SmartLinx

  5. Key to Successful Fact Research • When you need to research any factual information, consider this question: “Who cares?” • The answer will determine the best starting place to find the facts you need.

  6. The “Who Cares” Rule • The “Who cares?” principle also applies to people-finding, but could be adjusted to: “Who knows?” • Consider the amount of information we give out about ourselves regularly.

  7. The Government

  8. Data Brokers • There are also a lot of private companies that know a lot about you! • ChoicePoint (purchased by LexisNexis) • Intelius • Marketers buy this information and use it to target advertising. • Do Not Call: https://www.donotcall.gov/ • Stop Credit Card Offers: https://www.optoutprescreen.com

  9. People-Finding Tools & Strategies

  10. Basic Web Searches • Google (with advanced search tips) • Pipl: search by name, email address, online username, phone numbers • Birthdatabase: limited birthday & address information; links to premium reports • ZoomInfo: free front-end to Intelius; links to premium reports

  11. Addresses & Phone Numbers • Anywho: online phone directory; current listings only (no cellular) • FoneFinder: Number information lookup • Westlaw: NEWMOVERS database • LexisNexis: Locate a Person Nationwide database (Public Records > View More Sources); includes current & past addresses • Google Maps & Bing Maps for satellite views

  12. Vital Records • Generally held at county level. • “Public record” ≠ “free on the Internet”! • Minimum requirement: available upon inspection. • Research/copying service may be available (for a fee). • Some governments will make records available online.

  13. Asset Searches • Real property records are generally available at the county governmentlevel. • Durham County (NC) • Orange County (NC) • Commercial data brokers may be able to access more asset information. • Unclaimed.org: Does someone owe you?

  14. Political Information • Voter registration: also county government level. Searchability will vary. • Durham County (NC): gives back addresses • Los Angeles County (CA): adds required fields • Campaign contributions • FEC Search • OpenSecrets • State searches will vary

  15. Professionals • LinkedIn: some info publicly visible • Employer directories • Governments (may include salaries) • Academic sector • Company information resources (3/26 workshop) usually include key personnel • Presentations/activities (experts)

  16. Bad Professionals • Information on license status and disciplinary proceedings are generally kept at state government level. • Doctors: State Medical Boards [NC] • Lawyers: State Bar [NC] • Electricians [NC] • Plumbers [NC]

  17. Brushes with the Law • Current inmates (and some past) • Federal: Bureau of Prisons • State: Departments of Corrections [NC] • Criminal history • CriminalSearches.com(limited info) • Megan’s Law registries [NC] • Local papers may include police reports. [NY] • Lawsuits • Docket & case research (3/29 workshop)

  18. The Inevitable • Death certificates are maintained at the county level. • Social Security Death Index: Deaths reported to SSA. • Obituaries can provide a wealth of information about a person– and their survivors. • America’s Newspapers • Local papers, again

  19. Pitfalls of People-Finding • Privacy concerns • “Legitimate purpose” • Identity theft risks • Human-flesh search engines • Ethical concerns (pretexting) • Data errors • Sound-alike names • Misspellings • Incorrect information – no warranties

  20. Questions? Jennifer L. Behrens Reference Librarian behrens@law.duke.edu (919) 613-7198 • Zimmerman’s Research Guide • Directories of Courts & Judges • Directories of Lawyers • LexisNexis • Westlaw

  21. Upcoming Research Madness

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