Most investigative research uses information that is technically accessible to anyone. The professional question is not whether it can be accessed, but whether it should be assembled and delivered for this requester and this purpose.
Aggregation changes the picture
A deed, a court filing, and a business registration are each unremarkable on their own. Combined, they can describe where a person lives, what they own, and who they associate with. The aggregate carries a privacy weight that no individual record does, which is why purpose review comes before research rather than after.
Practical limits we apply
- Purpose review before any assignment is accepted
- Scope limited to what the stated matter actually requires
- No pretexting or misrepresentation to obtain information
- No research on individuals protected by court order or confidentiality program
- Reports contain only identifiers the matter needs
- Defined retention and secure delivery procedures
The subject's interest counts
Research subjects are not parties to the engagement and cannot object. Treating their interests as real is a professional obligation, not a marketing position, and it is the reason some requests are declined.
Have a matter that needs this kind of research?
Requests are reviewed for a lawful and authorized purpose before acceptance.
Request a Case Review