With all missing persons, search for persons cases, or any other general investigation, you must take certain steps at the outset. These steps involve paperwork and analysis; they may seem tedious, but they are absolutely necessary for obtaining the swiftest and best possible outcome. In fact, a preliminary analysis, or subject profile, will aid in all types of investigations.

Create a Profile and Determine Motivation

Creating a profile of the skip, while time-consuming, will save you a great deal of time in the long run. With the profile in front of you, you'll be unlikely to forget a crucial piece of information. Your client is the first source of information, but you'll find that the subject's friends, associates, and coworkers can often provide information of which the client is ignorant or has incorrect or incomplete knowledge. Prepare a form or a computer template and include all the information necessary to create a profile of the skip. Include the following:

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Complete name	Eye color
Maiden name	Past and present religious affiliations
Nicknames and aliases	Present and former addresses
Place and date of birth	Present and former phone numbers
Social security number	Present and former neighbors
Height	Marks, scars, or tattoos
Weight	Identifying mannerisms or tics
Race	Glasses or contacts
Sex	Preferable type of dress
Hair color and style

PERSONAL INFORMATION OF FRIENDS, FAMILY, POSSIBLE ACCOMPLICES, AND POSS IBLE LOVERS

Gather as much personal information as you can about friends and family

VEHICLES — CARS, WATERCRAFT, AIRCRAFT, MOTORCYCLES

Description

License number

Location

Loan/financial institution

Insurance agent

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Present and past occupations

Dates of employment

Addresses of supervisors and coworkers

All training, skills, licenses, diplomas, and certificates

INTERESTS AND HABITS

Hobbies, interests, associations, and clubs

Types of movies watched

Books and magazines read

Habits of gambling, alcohol, tobacco, or drug use

Level of computer literacy

Favorite sports and sports teams

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

You can obtain this through a background check and records search

ANY RECENT CHANGES IN THE SKIP'S USUAL HABITS, BEHAVIOR, OR HEALTH

Changes in marital, family, or employment situations

Changes in relationships with friends or coworkers

Recent known financial losses or acquired debt

A missing person's motivation is often obvious, such as the avoidance of alimony or child support, but in the case of the legendary guy who goes out for a loaf of bread and never returns, motivation is crucial in locating him. Your profile may illuminate motive, should any logical motive exist. For example, if you discover that the skip was a heavy gambler, it may lead to information proving he owed the local leg-breakers an exorbitant amount of cash. That's your motivation. However, there will be times when motivation won't be available to you.