Information Resources for Case Development Skip Tracing

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Information Resources for Case DevelopmentSkip
Tracing

• Presented by
• John Oback
• California Environmental Protection Agency
• Enforcement Intelligence Team

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Cal/EPA Enforcement Initiative

• Cal/EPA-wide Data Dictionary
• Communication Strategy
• Enforceable Permits
• Enforcement Intelligence
• Enforcement Program Operational Plan
• Environmental Data Exchange
• GIS Contracts
• Regional/Cross-media Training Program
• Single Complaint Tracking System

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What is Skip Tracing?

• Obtaining documenting all pertinent information
  needed to fully identify, locate, contact
  persons and evidence related to your
  investigation
• This is an overview- additional resources are
  available

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Document, Document, Document

• If you fail to write something down and put it in
  your case file,
  
• It didnt happen, or,
• It doesnt exist.
• Do it now
• Same day or next day
• Hand written notes are better than nothing

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Hop, Skip and a Jump

• May or may not involve actual skipping or
  hiding from investigators
  
• Stonewalling is more likely
• Piercing the corporate veil
• Skip tracing isnt hard to do (usually)
• We all do some form of skip tracing
• There are many tricks (shortcuts)

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Western States Project
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Why do Skip Tracing?

• Skip tracing is a basic skill you need to
• Properly conduct an investigation
• Fully document enforcement cases
• Find and punish bad guys
• Clean up the environment
• Help deter future violations

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What do we trace?

• People
• Violator
• Witnesses
• Owners Operators
• Employees
• Complainants affected community
• Companies
• Equipment
• Documents and other evidence

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Getting Started

• Start a file!
• Gather as much information as possible
• List all identifying information on hand
• Name
• Date of birth (DOB) or approx. age
• Drivers license or Social Security numbers
• Description (scars and tattoos)
• Address, phone, employer, etc.
• Ask yourself Who regulates these folks?

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Where do we get information?

• Investigation case development
• Witness statements
• Other evidence
• In-house files and databases
• Sister agencies and professional contacts
• Other government sources (DMV)
• Internet
• Pay services

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Traceable Items

• Permits other records
• Vehicles
• Utilities (telephone service)
• Mailbox rentals
• Credit accounts (loans charge cards)
• Real estate
• Court criminal records

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Helpful Cal/EPA Documents

• List of Information Resources for Case
  Development
  
• Streamlined version
• WSP list is more comprehensive
• Environmental Skip Tracing Checklist
• Helps busy investigators stay on track
• Standardizes case files
• Streamlines case review

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Finding the Hard-to-Find

• This is where it starts to get fun

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Database Resources

• The Western States Project R_at_IN
• Available to all member organizations
• Secure login required
• http//www.regionalassociations.org/
• US EPA OTIS
• http//www.epa.gov/idea/otis/index.html
• ECHO, public version http//www.epa.gov/echo/

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Licenses Certificates

• Permits registrations
• Contractors State Licensing Board
• Business license
• Department of Motor Vehicles
• Training certifications
• Trade associations
• Union or club memberships
• Special programs by suppliers, wholesalers, or
  manufacturers
  

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Other Regulators

• The usual suspects (agencies)
• Can they flag recent changes to their files?
• Change of address information?
• Any ongoing investigations?
• Environmental Crimes Task Force
• Franchise Tax Board
• Employment Development Department
• Department of Industrial Relations

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Department of Motor Vehicles

• Trace both vehicles and people
• Restricted Must have an account
• Rules apply
• Change of address may have been filed
• Information on other vehicles (assets)

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Corporate Records

• Secretary of State
• Officers
• Designated contact for service of legal notices
• Get a certified copy (a fee applies)
• Political contributions
• Regulatory filings, plans, etc.
• Check the company website

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Financial Records

• Generally, these are paid services
• Dunn Bradstreet (for companies)
• Credit Bureaus
• Rental Associations
• Many other options

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Court Criminal Records

• Judgments
• Divorces
• Name changes
• Bankruptcy Court
• California Law Enforcement Tracking System
  (CLETS)
  
• Arrest records
• Restricted Law enforcement only (Peace Officers)

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Phone Book

• White yellow pages
• Business offices
• Other branches or franchises
• Competitors
• Internet phone listings
• Wider coverage (national)
• Reverse directories
• Examples of multi-search sites
• The Ultimates www.theultimates.com
• Skipease www.skipease.com

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Directory Assistance

• Good place to uncover recent changes
• Required to give information for 3 names
• Helps with common names like John Smith
• Required to provide listed address
• Always ask for an address
• Whether you need it or not
• Otherwise, you'll just hear "Hold for the number
  please . . .

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Directory Assistance (continued)

• Get similar surnames
• Relatives?
• Get neighbors associates
• Call them!
• Be nice
• The Colombo approach

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US Postal Service

• Send a letter to the subjects last known address
  marked
  
• DO NOT FORWARDADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
• Letter returns with a sticker showing the
  forwarding address on file with the USPS
  
• Risk of tipping your hand if the addressee gets
  the letter (be sure theyve really moved)

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