Exercise - Scavenger Hunt

Can you answer the following questions? Give them a try.

  1. The Invisible Web contains a wealth of information for investigators. BRB Publications maintain an excellent list of links to public record databases at the state, county and city level.

    • Go to their page for Free Government Public Record Sites.
    • Click on Florida
    • Click on the link FL - Broward County - Property Tax.
    • Search for properties owned by Edward JOHNSON.
    • What is the assessed value of the property owend by Ed and Karen JOHNSON?

    2. $163,990

  2. Miami is in Dade County. Knowing the county for a given town or city is important since the county will usually maintain the records vital to investigators.

    • Go to naco.org
    • Click on About Counties (top left), then on Find a County (sidebar on left)
    • What is the county for Seattle?

    3. King County

  3. What is accessible in one jurisdiction is not always accessible in another. Is criminal record information available online in Arkansas?

    Yes, but only employers and professional licensing boards can obtain access. Check the Virtual Chase guide to Criminal Records.

  4. Use BRB Publications helpful collection of links to public records to find out about a company.

    • Go to Free Government Public Record Sites
    • Click on "Washington", then click on "Corporations" (tip: use ctrl-F to search the page).
    • When was ZIPPETY DOO DAH, LLC incorporated in Washington state?

    07/20/2004

  5. What about an international company search?

    • Go to Researcha, a fee-based online database of over 32 million European companies.
    • Search in Ireland for a company called COMPLIANCE IRELAND REGULATORY SERVICES LIMITED.
    • How much would it cost to find out who the directors are?

    £12.50

  6. Let's see what legal databases are searchable for Scotland.

    • Go to worldlii.org.
    • On the left side of the screen, under Global, click on All Databases. A large list will appear. Scroll down to Scotland.
    • How many databases are listed?
    • Click on the link for Scottish Law Commission (BAILII).
    • Do a Database Search to find a case entitled "Confiscation and Forfeiture". What year was it published?

    There are nine searchable databases for Scotland. "Confiscation and Forfeiture" was published in 1994.

  7. Go to archive.org. Type in triwestinvest.com and visit the site as it existed on April 8, 2000. What is the rate of return promised in the fifth paragraph of the homepage?

    10% (ten percent)