Skip tracing is the process of locating a person’s whereabouts. The term “skip” is derived from the phrase “skipping town” and refers to the missing person, while the term “tracing” refers to the actual process of locating them. Skip tracing is most commonly used to track down missing family members or friends, debtors, estate heirs, and witnesses.
Skip tracing may be performed by dedicated skip tracers but is also commonly undertaken by private investigators, mercantile agents, solicitors, repossession agents, process servers, debt collectors, journalists, or any other professional with an interest in tracking down a particular individual.
The process of skip tracing starts with obtaining as much information as possible about the person in question. Licensed investigators have access to intelligence that is not readily available to the general public, which include paid databases. An experienced investigator will also be able to gain valuable information from open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools, the person’s friends, family, and associates. Knowing the right questions to ask and having astute observational skills are key here.
The next step is to analyse and validate that information. A skilled investigator will know how to dig deep to corroborate and give context to their findings. Finally, the investigator must piece together everything they have learned to deduce the missing person’s whereabouts. This is where the real art of skip tracing comes in – the ability to synthesise seemingly disparate pieces of information to form a solid conclusion.
Once the investigator has successfully located the subject, surveillance may be required to confirm their location or, depending on the reasons for the investigation, to gather further information. Where required, photographic and video graphic evidence may be gathered as proof. A professional investigator will be deeply familiar with the law as it relates to surveillance and will obtain this evidence discreetly and legally.
When someone disappears, they usually don’t want to be found, and often go to great lengths to stay hidden. But if you know where to look, there’s always a trail. Experienced skip tracers know not just where to look, but what to look for, and how to follow up on it.
Are you looking for someone? Hide and Seek Investigations is licensed and experienced in both skip tracing and surveillance. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
