As a private investigator, it is important to distinguish between a missing person’s case and when a client wants you to locate a person. A client may need to locate a person from their past may be to handle some unfinished affairs. When a client has a loved one that has gone missing, often the police get involved. If a person feels like the police could use extra help, they will often hire a private investigator. To help bring clarity to a missing person case versus locating a person, Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami FL will explain the difference of the two types of cases.

Locating a Person Who Isn’t Reported Missing

Often when a person needs to locate someone from their past, it is easy enough to look through social media, and other general searches such as Google search, LinkedIn.com and Ancestry.com. However, if a person has changed his or her name such as through marriage, those who legally change their name, or maybe someone who doesn’t want to get found, these people can become more difficult to locate. There are a number of scenarios why a client may need to look for someone. Perhaps a divorce needs to be finalized, or there is a child custody issue, or an alimony issue needs to be solved. When the person is last known to be alive and well, this will fall under locating a person case.

Missing Person’s Cases

A missing person’s case is far more serious and often law enforcement will get involved. A private investigator can also work the same missing person’s case, and often alongside with law enforcement. Unlike a “locating a person” case, the missing person’s case can widely vary.

Finding Someone You Lost Contact with VS a Missing Person

Following are a few basic situations or considerations of a missing person case versus a locating a person case and how private investigators and law enforcement handles each:
– A person can’t be declared missing until 24 hours after the said person has been seen or the last time they’ve been in contact with another person. After the 24 hour period has passed, a report can then be submitted with law enforcement. However, you can still call 911 and report a person missing and they will actively begin searching for them, especially when it comes to children, the elderly, or those with handicaps.
– A runaway is considered a person who doesn’t want to be found and are not always considered a missing person. It’s important to know the person’s behavior and if there is any motive for them to want to run away. However at a certain age, a person has the right not to stay in contact with others. In this case if you need to find a runaway it would fall under locating a person versus missing person.
– During a missing person scenario, police–and if desired a private investigator–can begin looking for a missing person. They will search in the last known location of the person’s whereabouts and begin interviewing those who may have seen the missing person last. If a person is indeed considered missing, cell phone logs can be checked along with debit or credit card records, which can be viewed to give some insight to a person’s location. If a person went missing and if their last known whereabouts was captured on camera, law enforcement or a private investigator can pull the video to help determine the person’s situation.

Missing Persons Investigations & More in Greater Miami, Sunny Isles, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Miami Gardens Florida

If you need help locating a person or are in dire need of help finding a missing person, don’t hesitate to contact Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami FL today!