General Tips and Tricks For PI's

Database NAME VARIATIONS:

When searching a database for a person named 'Al', most PIs might consider
that this is likely a 'nickname', or a shortened name, for 'Albert'. Or
couldn't it also be from 'Alvin', or 'Alberto', or 'Aldous', or 'Alfred', or
many other possibilities?!

So what is the best source for obtaining a list of all such names and their
derivatives?

Buy one of the bigger '50,000 Names For Your New Baby'-type books!

Tip- local libraries often carry similar books for surnames, showing spelling
variations.

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Photographs of virtually every FIREARM ever made:
www.securityarms.com

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Phone numbers to call that READ YOU BACK THE PHONE NUMBER YOU ARE ON:

Known as ANAC numbers, there are thousands of such numbers that work
regionally, and a few that work nationwide.

Here is one that currently works nationwide: (888) 324-8686.

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To see WHEN and WHERE a SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER was issued, free:

www.usinfosearch.com/Free_ssn_search.htm

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PATERNITY TESTING- add this service to your brochure:

It is quick and simple! Swab the inner mouths of the baby and suspected
father with a basic kit; no blood or body fluids involved. Take a polaroid
photo of each person tested. Mail the kit & photos to the lab; results come
back quickly. You keep the kits in stock, so you can go out immediately (a
kit is a small box containing plastic gloves, small swabs, and storage vials,
with a pre-paid mailer addressed to the lab).

Contact Kent Harman at Genetic Technologies (877-451-GENE,
jharman@genetictechnologies.com) for instructions, typical pricing, etc.
Also- they need samples collected in all areas for their own clients, and
will pay PIs to do this collection work.

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Sources for MILITARY locates and other information:

http://www.archives.gov/facilities/m..._form_180.html

www.pownetwork.org

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Best way to handle any potential STALKER issues on 'LOCATE' cases:

Unless for a proven collection matter, court judgment, or valid business
reason, advise the client as to the 'Right Of First Contact Rule' followed by
most PIs-- that the locate information will not be released to client unless
the person being located allows the PI to release his/her contact information
to client.

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CCW LAWS and RULES, NATIONWIDE:

www.packing.org

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The new CALIFORNIA PI LICENSE TESTING is here!

Old: given the last Friday of every-other month, at two locations.
New: given six days per week, every week, at ten locations statewide.

Old: answered on an easy-to-error scantron form.
New: answered via computer screen.

Old: apply with two fingerprint cards.
New: no cards; must use LiveScan, greatly speeding the licensing process.

Old: get your results, pass or fail, in 40-45 days.
New: get your results immediately!

Currently, there are about 9500 licensed PIs in CA. Were you to obtain a CA
PI license now, your license number would be about #23200.

Most people fail the testing at least once! See if you could answer these
samples:
1) How many counties are in CA?
2) What is 'reversal film'?
3) What is a 'demand account'?
4) What is the formula used to obtain speed from skidmarks?
5) What is the 'Jones Act'?
6) Within what city of the United States is the majority of military
personnel records stored?

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V.I.N. information:

www.vehicleidentificationnumber.com

www.fsautoparts.com/asp/vin/

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Another related sideline for PIs-- FINGERPRINTING:

In most areas, no special license or permit is needed. And there are two
types: printing on 'cards', such as for license and permit applications, and
'latent' printing-- looking for fingerprints hidden from the eye.

Either way, you'll need supplies, and here are the two most popular with PIs:

--Sirchie Fingerprint Labs: 800-356-7311 and www.sirchie.com

--Lightning Powder Company: 800-852-0300 and www.redwop.com

Ed Opperman is Pres of Opperman Investigations and the chief investigator for www.emailrevealer.com