ABSTRACT
A collection of records, both official and unofficial, develops on an individual, ranging from medical history; education records; driver’s license; insurance; purchases (large and small); travel; and now Internet connections such as blogs, web sites, and social networking entities. In today’s technology-oriented society, most people can only begin to speculate just how much information about them is available through various types of records systems. The trail of information is generally chronological, marked from earliest school days by intelligence and psychological test scores, teacher evaluations, and grades. It can be followed into adult life where business and personal dealings leave their own distinctive traces. The patterns of human activity can be reconstructed through diligent, informed effort. The investigator, however, must have a reason to devote time and effort on the search for information. Generally, a criminal investigation is driven by the seriousness of a crime and its impact on the community, but it may be influenced by media or other pressures on the police to find a solution.
