Information Resources for Case Development “Skip Tracing” Presented by John Oback California Environmental Protection Agency Enforcement Intelligence Team Presented by John Oback California Environmental Protection Agency Enforcement Intelligence Team 1 1

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 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 2 2

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 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 3 3

Document, Document, Document If you fail to write something down and put it in your case file, –“It didn’t happen,” or, –“It doesn’t exist.” Do it now –Same day or next day –Hand written notes are better than nothing If you fail to write something down and put it in your case file, –“It didn’t happen,” or, –“It doesn’t exist.” Do it now –Same day or next day –Hand written notes are better than nothing 4 4

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 isn’t hard to do (usually) –We all do some form of skip tracing –There are many “tricks” (shortcuts) May or may not involve actual “skipping” or “hiding” from investigators –“Stonewalling” is more likely –Piercing the corporate veil Skip tracing isn’t hard to do (usually) –We all do some form of skip tracing –There are many “tricks” (shortcuts) 5 5

Western States Project 6 6

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 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 7 7

What do we trace? People –Violator –Witnesses Owners & Operators Employees Complainants & affected community Companies Equipment Documents and other evidence People –Violator –Witnesses Owners & Operators Employees Complainants & affected community Companies Equipment Documents and other evidence 8 8

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?” 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?” 9 9

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 Investigation & case development –Witness statements –Other evidence In-house files and databases Sister agencies and professional contacts Other government sources (DMV) Internet Pay services 10

Traceable Items Permits & other records Vehicles Utilities (telephone service) Mailbox rentals Credit accounts (loans & charge cards) Real estate Court & criminal records Permits & other records Vehicles Utilities (telephone service) Mailbox rentals Credit accounts (loans & charge cards) Real estate Court & criminal records 11

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 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 12

Finding the Hard-to-Find 13 This is where it starts to get “fun” This is where it starts to get “fun”

Database Resources The Western States Project: –Available to all member organizations –Secure login required – US EPA: “OTIS” – –“ECHO,” public version: The Western States Project: –Available to all member organizations –Secure login required – US EPA: “OTIS” – –“ECHO,” public version:

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 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 15

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 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 16

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) Trace both vehicles and people –Restricted: Must have an account –Rules apply Change of address may have been filed Information on other vehicles (assets) 17

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 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 18

Financial Records Generally, these are paid services Dunn & Bradstreet (for companies) Credit Bureaus Rental Associations Many other options Generally, these are paid services Dunn & Bradstreet (for companies) Credit Bureaus Rental Associations Many other options 19

Court & Criminal Records Judgments Divorces Name changes Bankruptcy Court California Law Enforcement Tracking System (CLETS) –Arrest records –Restricted: Law enforcement only (Peace Officers) Judgments Divorces Name changes Bankruptcy Court California Law Enforcement Tracking System (CLETS) –Arrest records –Restricted: Law enforcement only (Peace Officers) 20

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” “Skipease” 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” “Skipease” 21

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...” 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...” 22

Directory Assistance (continued) Get similar surnames –Relatives? Get neighbors & associates Call them! –Be nice –The Colombo approach Get similar surnames –Relatives? Get neighbors & associates Call them! –Be nice –The Colombo approach 23

US Postal Service Send a letter to the subject’s last known address marked: “DO NOT FORWARD ADDRESS 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 they’ve really moved) Send a letter to the subject’s last known address marked: “DO NOT FORWARD ADDRESS 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 they’ve really moved) 24