Caution road sign

Comprehensive report: Investigator’s friend or foe?

One of the most popular resources in an investigator’s toolbox is the comprehensive report. Vendors like TLO, Tracers, LexisNexis, and others compile records on your subject from their database into one report. One search, and you have it all. It’s a busy investigator’s dream. Or is it? Unlike many other investigators, I don’t use comprehensive […]

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step 1

Getting great search results – It starts at the source

Online searching is about much more than finding. Once you’ve run your searches, now what? And how did you get to the point of constructing some worthwhile searches? In a previous post, I listed several steps involved in the search process, and in this and future posts I’ll go into more detail about each step. […]

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words - make your own choices

Google alternatives – So many choices

We all do it – Start with Google, get some answers, and stop there. But, as you’ve read here, I’m a big fan of using Google alternatives, because other search engines offer us, well, alternatives. Maybe you need something more private or more streamlined, or you want to do some good while searching the web. […]

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intellectual property in asset research

Resource Roundup: Adding intellectual property to your asset research

When researching assets, don’t forget to check intellectual property.  Unlike, for example, a car, home, or commercial property, intellectual property–including patents, copyrights, and trademarks–is considered an intangible asset, something that’s “created with the mind.”  Most people don’t have a list of inventions or trademarks that add up to much value, but, occasionally, you can uncover […]

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Variety is the spice of life

Need something different? – Try some Google alternatives

For any searches more complicated than a simple look-up, it’s important for researchers and investigators to go beyond Google and try some alternatives. In spite of its size, Google has its limits, for several reasons:  Google can be too big – For deep research, sometimes we need something more specialized than what you get with […]

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Newspapers and tablet with business news

What sources do I use for searching news?

I’m frequently asked about what I use for news searching, so I thought I’d share my sources and why they’re so important to my investigations. Note that these include free and fee-based sources, because – with online information – you definitely get what you pay for. You can’t do a thorough job with just free. […]

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Choices - Google alternatives

Time for a change: Google alternatives

Looking back at some blog statistics, it seems that readers can’t get enough of Google alternatives. Google is great, and – I must admit – it’s my usual starting point. But Google has its limitations, and sometimes we need more. Maybe it’s more privacy. Perhaps you need something more specialized. Or maybe you’re frustrated with […]

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Private and confidential

Looking for more privacy?

Judging from blog statistics, readers can’t seem to get enough of Google alternatives – especially privacy-based search engines. Clearly, many of you are tired of Google’s practices, including collecting and sharing your data and customizing search results. It’s not just privacy issue. As an investigator, I need to avoid filtered results, since I don’t want […]

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Privacy-based Google alternatives

Google alternatives: A little privacy, please!

Recently, I heard a T.V. news commentator say, “Everything you ever need to know is on Google.” If that’s where he gets most of his information, it’s easy to see why the industry is in so much trouble, but I’ll leave that discussion for another day. For now, judging from reader response, it’s clear that […]

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Digging deeper for company information in due diligence investigations

Resource roundup: Digging deeper for company information

When investigating companies and executives, digging for details means going beyond Google and trying specialized databases. Google is a great start for basic information, but due diligence requires a deep dive into the workings of your target company and how they operate – including the good, the bad, and the ugly. That’s why every serious […]

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