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PHONE: (204) 233-3439 FAX: (204) 233-2139

TOLL FREE: 1-877-233-2002

EMAIL

Investigation Services in Canada

Corporate/Internal/Retail Theft

Intellectual Property & Counterfeit Investigations

Retail Store Audits & Security Plans

Mergers & Acquisitions

Surveillance

Risk Management

Pre-Employment Screening

Insurance Investigations

Criminal Defense Investigations

Legal Counsel Support

Locate Missing Persons

Workplace Investigations

Maintenance Enforcement (Canada & USA)

VIP Security & Entertainment

Bank & Mortgage Fraud

Wrongful Murder Conviction Investigations

Identity Theft

Elder Abuse Investigations

Forensic Investigations.

Bankruptcy Investigations

Product Liability Investigations

Product Liability Audits

Computer Security Audits

Asset Tracking

Child Safety Kits

Amber Alerts

Family Matters

 

 

Corporate, Legal & Real Estate Division

British,Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

Ontario

Quebec

Atlantic Provinces

Tenant Screening

Real Estate Due Diligence

Investigation Services in the USA

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

North Dakota

Maine

Minnesota

Missouri

National US Electronic Court Register

 

 

Computer Forensics

Data Recovery

Internet Activity Analysis

Illegal Music File Sharing, Video, and Image Retrieval.

Computer Surveillance Monitoring

 

 

Publications, News & Articles:

Workplace Surveillance

Surveillance & Privacy Laws

 

 

 

  Designed & maintained by Janie Duncan  

 



Corporate/Internal/Retail Theft

  • Retail Chains
  • Cinemas/Movie Theatres
  • Industrial
  • Hospitality Industries
  • Manufacturing Industries
  • Copyright Collectives/Holders
  • Brand Owners.

Intellectual Property Investigations:

Piracy & Counterfeit Investigations:

  • Communications,
  • Electronics,
  • Footwear
  • Entertainment
  • Electrical
  • Food & Beverage
  • Household Goods
  • Software
  • Perfumes
  • Luxury Goods
  • Video, Satellite & Cable Piracy
  • Camcorder Piracy
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Publishing
  • Retail
  • Tobacco
  • Software Piracy
  • Music Piracy
  • Performances
  • Auto Parts.

Major Contributors to Piracy:

  • Theft
  • Counterfeit
  • Grey Market

Investigations:

We will conduct the necessary audits and undercover purchases to compare to the original product to provide you with the prima facie evidence concerning simple piracy, bootlegging, internet piracy and counterfeits. We also assist you in undercover operations for search warrants by identifying individuals, manufacturers, storage areas, businesses, retailers, web sites, distribution networks and criminal organizations involved in counterfeiting your product.

  • As part of our investigation, we will also establish the revenues generated by the pirate/pirate company by means of making several purchases over periods of time to calculate the invoice numbers and base product price.
  • We will identify the names of the pirates, businesses, registered offices, assets, addresses, and vehicles.
  • We can also determine the date the counterfeit product was reproduced on CD-R, DVD-R, or VCD for matters involving music piracy, and video piracy.
  • Liason with internet service providers concerning IP addresses that are infringing on copyright protection which violate customer contractual service agreements.
  • Conducting computer audits and inventories to identify any illegal computer file sharing software, music, and movies.
  • Night Vision for the identification of the illegal use of camcorders in cinemas.
  • Bag checks at cinemas.

 

Business Analysis of the Supply Chain Practices:

  • Due diligence investigations and audits on the customers, suppliers, vendors, distributors, sub-contractors and manufacturers about their business practices;
  • Develop policies, procedures, controls and an information data base to analyze, communicate, record and quantify any potential breaches in the supply chain and make recommendations. .
  • Establish policies, procedures and controls for products entering the retail chain for authenticity;
  • Establish policies, procedures, and controls for hotels, banquet facilities, cinemas, schools and universities concerning the illegal and unauthorized use of sound recordings, movies, videos, camcording, satellite and cable use;
  • Development and delivery of education brochures and seminars for customers, students, stakeholders, educators, customs officials, manufacturers, distribution partners, sales and service employees;
  • Development of liability provisions in distributor agreements including auditing, enforcement, penalities and other safeguards for esnuring the standards of performance in contracts between the manufacturers and distributors.
  • Conduct audits on subcontractors and distributors to ensure products are not replicated outside the distribution channels to the grey market;
  • Development of policies, procedures and controls for damaged product or product not entering the retail chain;
  • Conduct audits to verify the authenticity of products via shipment and in the retail chain;
  • Market surveillance, intelligence and undercover buys;
  • Review of technological applications;
  • Liaison with customs officials regarding the identification and registration of authentic and illegal products entering their respective countries on behalf of the copyright holders;
  • Assist in civil litigation, enforcement strategies, and search warrants with the latter pursuant to Section 487.02 (Assistance Order) of the Criminal Code of Canada;
  • Act as a liaison between customs officials and the copyright holder with respect to Memorandum D19-4-3 regarding the application of an ex-parte order to provide prima facie evidence of counterfeit goods;
  • Act as a liaison between law enforcement and customs to gather evidence of counterfeit goods on behalf of the Copyright Holder relative to section 489 (2) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
  • Assist manufacturers in the delivery of the program to become C-TPAT & FAST compliant.

     

Trademark Investigations


We conduct investigations on behalf of clients involved in a trademark dispute. Our services include:

Abandonment Investigations;

Preliminary Investigations;

Trademark Infringement

 

Retail Store Audits & Security Plans:

  • Conduct retail surveys;
  • Calculate inventory shrinkage;
  • Identify causes of retail theft & develop a computerized management data base for retail theft.
  • Establish and monitor a computerized hot line program;
  • Establish controls for employee theft, merchandise theft, customer theft, vendor theft & errors;
  • Develop & implement policies for control procedures and screening methods;
  • Develop & implement risk management programs for robberies, violence, & employee theft;
  • Develop & implement a physical security control program & and emergency response plan;
  • Develop & implement a risk management plan for personal Injury, vehicle accidents, property & liability claims.
  • Develop & implement honest integrity programs, employee training programs, and seminars.

 

Mergers & Acquisitions

We conduct the following due diligence:

  • Return on Equity.
  • Earnings Per Share;
  • Return on Capitol;
  • Return on Assets;
  • Revenue per employee;
  • Asset turn over ratio;
  • Price Earnings Ratio;
  • Working Capitol;
  • Current Ratio;
  • Debt to Total Assets;
  • Debt to Equity Ratio;
  • Operating Profit Margins;
  • Profit Margin;
  • Gross Profit Margin;
  • Inventory Turnover;
  • Days In Inventory;
  • Receivables Turnover;
  • Average Collection Period;
  • Return on Assets;
  • Asset Turnover

 

Surveillance

  • Loss Prevention
  • Security
  • Labour Disputes
  • Employee Integrity
  • Work Site Surveillance
  • Domestic
  • Disability
  • Worker's Compensation
  • Bodily Injury
  • Sick Abuse
  • Fire Security

 RiRisk Management

  • Evaluating businesses for insurance 
  • Evaluating applicants for insurance
  • Evaluating businesses for partnerships, funding, & mergers
  • Financial & Operating History of Businesses
  • Compliance 
  • Due Diligence
  • Market Intelligence
  • Analyzing and identifying corporate weaknesses
  • Hostile Takeovers
  • Joint Ventures
  • Financial Transactions
  • Franchise Investigations

Pre-Employment Screening

      Who should hire our services?

  • Employers
  • Recruiters
  • Canada-US Border Security Initiatives:  (C-TPAT Programs, Fast Programs)
  • Transportation Companies
  • Classified Positions
  • Government
  • Airlines
  • Partnerships
  • Police Recruiters
  • Professional Associations
  • Caregivers


 Insurance Investigations

  • Policy violations/misrepresentations
  • Interviews
  • Evaluations for Insurance
  • Background Investigations
  • Claim verifications
  • Surveillance for suspected fraudulent bodily injury claims


 Criminal Defense Investigations

  • Witness Interviews
  • Background Investigations
  • Investigate Alibis
  • Follow up on leads that were not investigated by police
  • Investigate credibility of witnesses
  • Locate Witnesses
  • To ensure defense receives full disclosure of evidence. 


 Legal Counsel Support

  • Investigate credibility of witnesses for discovery and cross examination
  • Locate witnesses
  • Background Investigations
  • Pre-trial Investigations


 



 Locate Missing Persons

  • Child Find Organizations
  • Personal Family Matters
  • Maintenance Enforcement Matters
  • Legal Court Matters
  • Law Enforcement Matters
  • Adoptions
  • Abductions
  • Debt recovery
  • Litigation
  • Family Court Matters
  • Criminal Matters
  • Serving legal documents
  • Court Orders
     


 Workplace Investigations

  • Slip & Fall Investigations
  • Violence Investigations
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Professional Disciplinary Matters
  • Labour Strikes
  • Employee Monitoring for substance & gambling addictions
  • Mystery Shopping.
     

Entertainment & Security:

At Duncan Investigations, we provide entertainers, musicians, and artists with total security when they arrive in Winnipeg.

Our services include arranging the following:

  • Airport Transportation;
  • Transportation to and from concerts;
  • Travel Arrangements;
  • Business booking, arrangements & scheduling;
  • Surveillance.

Mortgage & Bank Fraud

At Duncan Investigations, we conduct due diligence for major Canadian & U.S investors, lenders, financial institutions, and private individuals in the following areas:

  • Misrepresentation of property characteristics;
  • Forged or altered MLS Listing
  • Investor represented as owner occupied for financing;
  • Forged employment letter or employment reference;
  • Misrepresentation of financial material regarding employment or self;
  • Providing fake identification to avoid the credit bureau.
  • Fraudulent title transfer;
  • Fraudulent mortgage discharge;
  • Verifying if property is in name of the seller;
  • Verifying expenses and revenues generating from property;
  • Interviewing neighbors for the prevention of fraudulent representation of financing.

 

 Wrongful Murder Convictions

  What are the Causes?

  • Police Tunnel Vision
  • Overzealous Prosecution
  • Suppressed Evidence
  • Unsavory Jailhouse Informants
  • Police Corruption
  • Beaten Confessions
  • Police Coercion of Witnesses
  • Paid Testimony of Witnesses
  • Junk Science
  • Mistaken identity
     What we Do?
  • Review all evidence
  • Gather Fresh evidence for new trial
  • Determine causes of wrongful conviction
  • Coordinate legal support systems
  • Move the case to the public's attention via media
     


 Identity Theft

What is Identity Theft?

Is the unauthorized fraudulent collection, and use of someone else's personal information. Identity theft is the fastest growing white collar crime in Canada. In 2004, 13,000 Canadians reported $20 million in losses from theft crimes. (Phone Busters, Identity Theft Statistics.)

At present, there is no comprehensive reporting system on identity theft in Canada. Victims complain to a variety of sources including credit bureaus, banks, and the police. However, law enforcement agencies are now attempting to track the statistics through a central reporting system in Ontario called "Phone Busters".

In 2003, Ontario reported the highest number of victims of identity theft totaling 5772, at total cost of $12,682,218.64 according to Phone Busters.

British Columbia was the second highest followed by Alberta.

Manitoba reported 199 incidents of identity crime with a total cost of $194,718.93 in 2003.

Why do thieves steal identities?

The primary reason is for financial gain but other secondary reasons may include avoiding police, prosecution, and financial obligations.

What are the most common forms of identity theft in Canada?

Credit card fraud is the most common in Canada. Other fraud includes stealing identity for online purchases, utilities fraud, stealing money from chequing, savings, and investment accounts.

What are the most common methods used by identity thieves?

1. Theft of credit cards and documentation by stealing this information from purses, wallets and break-ins. Other sources are mailboxes, online information brokers with lax policies for releasing information, internet scams, email scams, blue boxes, garbage and USB Memory Cards. Corporate theft is also becoming a big contributor where consumers have little control.

2. Shoulder surfing. Thieves will install a fake ATM device that reads your card's encoded information. They will watch you enter your pin number at the ATM machine, take pictures of your PIN number, and then attempt to distract you while they take your card and switch it with another.

3. Card Skimming: Identity thieves have access to a device called a card skimmer. Thieves will work at premises such as restaurants, and gas stations where they are not supervised. They will use a skimmer with a customer's card. The thieves then transfer the coded information where they can re-code onto fraudulently made credit cards.

4. "Phishing and Spoofing": Emails that appear to be from legitimate web sites but are only scams for attempting to gain personal information from you. They attempt to trick you.They usually pose as some sort of financial institution asking for personal banking information. If you receive an email from a site posing as a bank or any company wishing to obtain credit card information from you do not respond. Banks don't send clients email. Do not give out your credit card to anyone. You are generally asked to click on a link that looks like it came from a legitimate bank. This is a fake web site. Once on this site, they ask you personal questions about your bank account. DO NOT RESPOND!


5. Theft from online databases: Identity thieves are obtaining the information from online information brokers who are releasing information without a legal purpose or proper authority and compliance.

Other common phishing phrases are as follows:

  • We need to verify your credit card....
  • You may have been a victim of fraud, and we require you social insurance number or social security number;
  • There has been a problem with your bank account, an unauthorized person has attempted to access it and we need to update your records.
  • Look for misspelled words in web addresses.

How do I prevent identity theft?

The best way to prevent identity theft is to pay for items with cash. Computers are a major contributor to identity theft. I would suggest to limit your computer use, but in today's age, it seems we cannot live without one. So, I would suggest the following:

  • Limit the number of credit cards and ATM cards.
  • Review your credit card and banking card transactions regularly.
  • Don't respond to unsolicited telephone, survey and email requests for your credit card information.
  • Use a secure mail box preferably with a lock.
  • Shred all personal information before disposal.
  • Install a firewall on your computer and use anti-virus and encryption software.
  • Password protect your computer and all customer & client files.
  • Make sure online credit card purchases are conducted by secure sites if you make online purchases.
  • Don't use obvious passwords.
  • Shop at sites that have a privacy policy.
  • Never give out any personal information
  • Place passwords on all utility accounts and mortgage accounts.
  • Monitor your computer for unauthorized access or software.
  • never give out your social insurance number or social security number if you live in the United States
  • Subscribe to a fraud alert with your credit card company. They will notify you when something suspicious is reported on your statements.
  • Delete all your browsing activity daily, especially if you share a computer.
  • Sign off after viewing your financial transactions online.
  • Place security questions for all your online banking transactions. The bank will notify you when there has been a hacking attempt.
  • Duncan Investigations has a a tracker that automatically alerts us to any fraudulent site when we surf the internet.
  • If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
  • Never travel with any confidential or client information on a portable computer. Have a separate computer and limit the use of the computer to one designated person who has responsibility and control over the information.
  • Dead bolt office, install locks on your computers, cabinet files, and all computer files should be password protected.
  • Shred computer hard drives when full, and not in use.
  • Never maintain any client or personal information credit card information on your computer. Always shred this information after use.
  • Advise clients by email, that you have shredded their credit card information after use.
  • All employees accepting credit card information, must be able to positively identify with the customer. Ask for identification.
  • At Duncan Investigations, our service is very personable. We know who we deal business with, and we can verify their identity.
Duncan Investigations has adopted each of the above principles with respect to our client's privacy.

What do you do if you suspect identity theft?

1. Contact the police an file a complaint.

2. Notify your bank and creditors immediately by phone and in writing.

3. Report to Canada Post any irregularities that you have observed in your mail.

4. Contact the two major credit agencies to inform them. Equifax is 1-800-465-7166 and Trans Union. Advise them to place a fraud alert on your account.

5. Request a copy of your credit file and look for any irregularities.

6. Contact Phone busters at 1-888-495-8501 and make a complaint

7. Maintain good records of all telephone conversations with officials.

What the banks are doing?

ATMs will have an anti-skimming device on machines to prevent criminals from inserting fraudulent skimming equipment.

The new green anti-skimming device will make the ATM look a little different than before. You may also notice a change in the way you need to insert and remove your card from the machine

What We Do?

Investigate: We will locate the culprit that is using your identity.

Corporate Identity Theft Investigations and Security Analysis: We conduct a comprehensive risk analysis of your corporation with respect to security and information retention and develop policies to lower your risk exposure. With online purchases, corporations are becoming a target where identity theft crimes are committed.

Personal Identity Theft Investigations: We will ensure that your records are restored correctly and lower your risk exposure to prevent it from happening again.

Our business is based on information and intelligence gathering for a legal purpose.


 Elder Abuse Investigations

  • Physical Abuse
  • Physical Neglect
  • Psychological Abuse
  • Financial Neglect
  • Violation of Rights


Forensic Investigations

At Duncan Investigations, we engage an accredited lab agency for the following purposes:

  • Paternity Testing
     
  • Forensic DNA Testing

     · Blood
     · Semen
     · Saliva
     · Hair Follicles
     · Bones
     · Tissues
     · Teeth
     
  • Relationship/Sibling Testing
     
  • DNA Collection

    If you wish to provide us with a sample for DNA Testing yourself, we have buccal swabs which you can use on the inside of the cheek to gather cheek cells. The DNA to be collected will be extracted from these cells.
  • Important:  To obtain a test result that will be admissible in a court of law you will need to correctly arrange for an independent third party to witness and supervise the specimen collection, package and mailing. We provide this service for you.

  • Fingerprints

     · Personal
     · Employment
     · Immigration
     

Drug Testing:

Please beware of any unaccredited investigation companies providing drug wipe/surface detect tests. An article in the local paper in Winnipeg suggested these tests are not reliable. We do not conduct polygraph testing. Both tests are junk science, and not admissible in the courts.



Process Serving

At Duncan Investigations, we serve legal documents for court purposes in a timely and professional manner. We will also prepare the affidavits of service. We have experience in the following areas:

  • Petition For Divorces;
  • Statement of Claims;
  • Small Claims;
  • Subpoenas;
  • Notice of Motions;
  • Notice of Garnishments.
  • Court orders
  • Interim Orders
  • Notices of Applications

Regular Service Fees:

  • $25.00 for first attempt
  • $12.50 for each attempt of subsequent service.
  • Mileage: $.42 per km.
  • Turn around time: 2-3 days.

Rush Service Fees:

  • $50.00 for first attempt
  • $25.00 for each attempt of subsequent service
  • Mileage: $.42 per km.
  • Includes same day service
     

Bankruptcy Investigations:

Insolvency legal proceedings usually require an investigation into the events that led to the the bankrupt's financial crisis.

At Duncan Investigations, we have expertise with both our Canadian & U.S corporate and government clients with respect to fraudulent actions under each countries respective Bankruptcy Act.

We will conduct investigations with respect to offenses under the Act which may include the following:

  • Determining any fraudulent disposition of the bankrupt's assets prior to and following the bankruptcy.
  • Uncovering evidence for examinations with respect to false entries, omissions or concealing of assets concerning the bankrupt.
  • Determine if the bankrupt is not reporting full income.
  • National Canadian wide and US searches to determine if a bankrupt has previously filed for bankruptcy.

 

 Product Liability Investigations:

At Duncan Investigations, we have extensive experience conducting investigations on behalf of major corporations as defendants involved in product liability suits. In order to prove product liability for negligence, the claimant must prove the following:

  • 1. The product is defective under ordinary use, and if non-defective, it has a potential to injure;
  • 2. The alleged wrongdoer owed a duty of care to the injured party;
  • 3. Failure of the wrongdoer to meet a standard level of care;
  • 4. The act or the omission of the wrongdoer caused the injuries of the claimant;
  • 5. The claimant's injuries were a result of the conduct of the wrongdoer.

At Duncan Investigations, we understand that major corporations are targeted by frivolous claims.

What we do?: take pictures, interview witnesses, obtain measurements, conduct audits at other similar corporations to establish common practice evidence, investigate any pre-existing injuries, conduct surveillance on the claimant, and establish if there were other unreported causes of the accident. We we also conduct background investigations on the claimant to determine if he/she was involved in a previous litigation.

Product Liability Audits

In deciding a liability claim, the courts will look at whether the wrongdoer had knowledge or should have known about the product's potential for harm and will look at various evidence such as: documentation showing the corporation took all reasonable care in bringing the product to the market, re-evaluation of the product, safety, training, literature, labeling, warnings, and insurance.

We work on behalf of clients in preventative investigations that will save you thousands of dollars in lawyer fees.

  • Conduct unannounced spot audits on behalf of management and report our findings with respect to your corporations potential for law suits;
  • Ensure warning signs are posted where they should be posted;
  • Identify dangerous areas or products, and take pictures for the purpose of providing recommendations;
  • Ensuring employees are following proper training procedures.
  • Assist in advising employees immediately of a dangerous situation.

 

Computer Security:

When internet hackers want to attack your computer, they do so by scanning all the open ports on your computer system. Port scans attempt to identify TCP/IP Ports to make connections to the target's computer or network.

At Duncan Investigations, we take computer security very seriously. Today, most people are now communicating and carrying out their work functions by email. This is how drastically our technology is changing. It is more efficient and cost effective. However, it is also very dangerous, if you are not cautious about your protecting your computer from unauthorized access. Hackers can access all your data on your computer if you are not protected. Scanning all ports for potential security compromises is a tedious job, but it is well worth the time.

We provide the following to our corporate clients to safeguard sensitive information:

  • Monthly Comprehensive Port Scanning Audits to identify security risks or breaches and to fix these problems immediately.

 

Asset Tracking

At Duncan Investigations, we can locate packages, possessions, vehicles, people, cargo and key employees (with appropriate consent) with tracking units that have standard GPS and A-GPS which allows for continuous monitoring and tracking ability. This small device will operate for a couple of weeks without any external power source. Location reports are delivered by a web monitoring application.

Maintenance Enforcement Investigations

  • Investigations to locate deadbeat parents;
  • To determine if a spouse is employed;
  • To locate assets;
  • To determine living arrangements.

 

Child Safety Identification Kits:

At Duncan Investigations we will provide the following valuable kits in case your child goes missing:

A photograph of your child which will be maintained on disc and laminated on a profile card. The profile card will include the following:

  • Name of Child;
  • Address;
  • Date of Birth;
  • Identifying Features;
  • Fingerprints;
  • Hair follicles for DNA.

You will be given a profile card, and we will maintain a copy on our database.


 

Amber Alert



Family Matters:

Child Custody Investigations:

  • In cases where you suspect your spouse is an unfit parent, we would carry out an investigation on your behalf. The courts will only order sole custody in situations where the evidence presented would put the children at risk. This order means that one parent has the sole physical control and care of the child, and makes all the important decisions with respect to raising the child. When a judge orders sole custody, the other parent would generally have access visits during a specified time. However, supervised access may also be granted.
  • It is very rare that judges will grant sole custody and the evidence has to be very substantial. Conducting these types of cases are very difficult. Children need both parents, and many times, the children are the ones that suffer at the expense of spouses who are fighting in spite of one another. This serves no purpose for the children, and it is certainly not in their best interest. There are many sad cases out there, and parents really need to consider the harm they do to their children when they are fighting to win. Remember, it is not about winning. Instead, work together and determine what is best for your children. Your children will benefit in the long run, and you will save yourself plenty of misery and pain.
  • If one parent has justified concerns about their children in the care of the other partner, you have every right under the Divorce Act, Federal Privacy Act, and the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act to carry out an investigation. Any information that we gather that is public record is legal. This information can be used in their proceedings before the courts without advising the other party of the investigation. Therefore, the same rule would apply for surveillance. If you have concerns about the safety of your child or children while in their care of the other parent, we can conduct a surveillance investigation during the access visits. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy when the parent is out in the public with your child/children. As a parent, you have every right to ensure the safety of your children. The Privacy Legislation has no jurisdiction on family matters as these matters are not "Commercial Activities".

  • We provide you affidavit evidence and along with the corresponding exhibits. An affidavit is a legal document that is filed in court, and will be subject to both direct and cross examination. The exhibits would be our physical evidence such as video or photographs.

Investigations with respect to Spousal Support & Child Support:

At Duncan Investigations, we have extensive experience with respect to conducting investigations for parents who are both in receipt of spousal and child support, and those who are the payors of these obligations. With respect to parents receiving spousal support, we conduct investigations on behalf of the payors when they suspect their ex spouses or partners are employed, living common law and/or determining their availability to work.

For parents failing to provide full financial disclosure with respect to their child support obligations, we will conduct investigations on behalf of the parent to establish if they are actively employed.


 

British Columbia Searches: The following information is only available for Surveyors, Architects, Legal counsel, Insurance, Adjusters, Investors, Financial Institutions, Private investors, Realtors, Appraisers, Municipalities, Planners, Utilities, Engineers, Tax Consultants, Developers, Collection Agencies, and Law Enforcement.

  • BC Assessment:
  • Corporate Registry: Information about companies, and corporations;
  • Land titles: Legal Title Information about property in British Columbia;
  • Manufactured Homes Registry: Information about Manufactured Homes in British Columbia;
  • Personal Property Registry: Database of records which show charges such as liens, security interests, and encumbrances filed against personal property.
  • Rural Property Tax System: Property tax records for all rural properties in British Columbia.
  • Site Registry: Information retained by the Provincial Government on the environment condition of land.
  • Bankruptcy; Includes both personal, and business bankruptcies.
  • Motor Vehicle Searches: Signed release is required.
  • Vehicle Claims History: This report provides you with information with respect to whether or not a vehicle has a status of rebuilt, salvage, or altered. Also includes a list of any damages claimed through ICBC, the date of damage & dollar value.
  • Criminal Court Record: This is a record obtained from the courts.

Alberta Searches:The following information is only available for Surveyors, Architects, Legal counsel, Insurance, Adjusters, Investors, Financial Institutions, Private investors, Realtors, Appraisers, Municipalities, Planners, Utilities, Engineers, Tax Consultants, Developers, Collection Agencies, and Law Enforcement.

  • Alberta Property Assessment: This search includes information about the property & assessment
  • Corporate Registry: Information about companies and corporations.
  • Land titles: Legal Title Information about property in British Columbia;
  • Personal Property Registry: Search for liens & encumbrances registered against any property. We search by the serial number, name, or business.
  • Bankruptcy: Personal, business and corporate.
  • Motor Vehicle Searches: Demographic, operator and vehicle registration (signed release is required.)
  • Criminal Court Record: This is a record obtained from the courts.

Saskatchewan: The following information is only available for Surveyors, Architects, Legal counsel, Insurance, Adjusters, Investors, Financial Institutions, Private investors, Realtors, Appraisers, Municipalities, Planners, Utilities, Engineers, Tax Consultants, Developers, Collection Agencies, and Law Enforcement.

  • Land titles: Search legal title information about a specific property.
  • Personal Property Registry: search liens & encumbrances registered against property, We can search by serial number, individual name, and/or by the business name.
  • Corporate Registry: Includes information about corporations and businesses.
  • Bankruptcy: Search by personal name or business name.
  • Motor Vehicles; Signed release is required.
  • Criminal Court Record: This is record obtained by the courts.

Manitoba: The following information is only available for Surveyors, Architects, Legal counsel, Insurance, Adjusters, Investors, Financial Institutions, Private investors, Realtors, Appraisers, Municipalities, Planners, Utilities, Engineers, Tax Consultants, Developers, Collection Agencies, and Law Enforcement.

  • Land titles: Search legal title information about a specific property.
  • Personal Property Registry: search liens & encumbrances registered against property, We can search by serial number, individual name, and/or by the business name.
  • Corporate Registry: Includes information about corporations and businesses.
  • Bankruptcy: Search by personal name or business name.
  • Motor Vehicles; Signed release is required.
  • Criminal Court Record: This is a record obtained by the courts.

Ontario:The following information is only available for Surveyors, Architects, Legal counsel, Insurance, Adjusters, Investors, Financial Institutions, Private investors, Realtors, Appraisers, Municipalities, Planners, Utilities, Engineers, Tax Consultants, Developers, Collection Agencies, Transportation Companies and Law Enforcement.

  • Land titles: Search legal title information about a specific property.
  • Personal Property Registry: search liens & encumbrances registered against property, We can search by serial number, individual name, and/or by the business name.
  • Corporate Registry: Includes information about corporations and businesses.
  • Bankruptcy: Search by personal name or business name.
  • Motor Vehicle Records ; Signed release is required.
  • Driver's License check; This confirms the validity of an Ontario's driver's license, and will confirm whether or not a driver's license has been suspended, cancelled or expired. This search will also determine if a driver is required to operate a vehicle with an approved Ignition Interlock Device. This is a breathalyzer device that will prevent a vehicle from operating when the driver is over a certain blood alcohol limit. We provide this search for transportation companies, employment matters, and/or any legal purpose. This search request is immediate and will only reveal the following records: "Valid", "Not Valid", " "Not Found", or "Ignition Interlock device". Signed consent is required for employment matters.
  • Commercial Vehicle Operator Record Driver Abstract: This request will provide a five year record containing driver information with respect to the operation of commercial vehicles, driver's license number, name, class, condition, expiry, medical due dates, status, accidents, convictions, and inspections. We only provide this search for employment purposes, legal purposes, transportation companies, insurance companies, border security, law enforcement, government, or any other permissible purpose. Signed consent is required for employment purposes only. Search request is immediate.
  • Commercial Vehicle Operator Summary Abstract: This search will contain the name of the Operating company, license number, operator type, status, CVOR status, total driving kilometers, fleet size, commodity hauled, MVIS Status, certificate issue date, safety rating, accidents, inspections, convictions, audits and any Ministry Interventions. We only provide this search for employment purposes, transportation companies, legal, insurance companies, border security, law enforcement, or any other permissible purpose. Signed consent is required for employment purposes. Search request is immediate.
  • Commercial Vehicle Operator Record Driver Abstract: This contains a five year historical search on a operator of heavy commercial transportation, and contains driver information pertaining to accidents, convictions, and inspections. We only provide this search for employment, transportation companies, insurance companies, border security, law enforcement, and court purposes. Signed consent is required for employment purpose. . The search request is immediate.
  • Carrier Safety Rating Inquiry: The Safety Rating contains a record of the commercial operators performance on the roadways in Ontario. This rating is issued under the authority of Section 17.1 & Sections 22 of the Highway Traffic Act to improve the safety of Ontario's roads and highways. We provide this information to and for transportation companies, businesses, insurance companies, adjusters, border officials, legal purposes, and law enforcement. Signed consent is required for employment purposes. Search request is immediate.
  • Accident Report: This report is available for legal, employment, transportation companies, and insurance purposes.It will provide details about a specific accident in Ontario including the names of the drivers, description of the vehicles as well as the road conditions. Signed consent is required for employment purposes. This is a public record.
  • Used Vehicle Reports: This report will provide a detailed history of a vehicle registered in Ontario. It includes information about any registered liens, fair market value for tax purposes, vehicle safety standards inspection, retail sales tax information, and bills of sale. A private seller must provide these reports to a buyer at the time of purchase for all transfers of passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, and motorcycles. Consent is not required.

Quebec; Coming soon!


Atlantic Provinces :The following information is only available for Surveyors, Architects, Legal counsel, Insurance, Adjusters, Investors, Financial Institutions, Investors, Realtors, Appraisers, Municipalities, Planners, Utilities, Engineers, Tax Consultants, Developers, Collection Agencies, and Law Enforcement.

Motor Vehicle Searches: Signed release is required.

  • Land titles: Search legal title information about a specific property.
  • Personal Property Registry: search liens & encumbrances registered against property, We can search by serial number, individual name, and/or by the business name.
  • Corporate Registry: Includes information about corporations and businesses.
  • Bankruptcy: Search by personal name or business name.
  • Criminal Court Record: This is obtained by the courts.

Tenant Screening:

The Tenant Pre-Screening process includes:
  • Screen credit worthiness;
  • Investigate and verify prior tenancy history;
  • Investigate present banking relationships and behavior;
  • Verify employment information;
  • Check references and report:

(Note: We must have written consent from the tenants prior to our undertaking).


Real Estate Due Diligence:

We have a system in place for investors to analyze property in Canada. Our due diligence includes:

1). Conducting a property assessment on the area's economic influences;

2). Conducting a detailed property analysis;

3). Measuring the return on investment;

4). Pictures of interior & exterior of buildings.

5). Previous sales in the area from public sources.


 

 

  • Paralegal Services: The following are provided for legal/ investigation purposes only. If these investigations are carried out by the employer for matters involving employee conduct or misconduct, we will require notice of this, as employment investigations in the United States are governed by the Federal Trade Commission and certain conditions will apply.
Alabama
  • Criminal Record: For employees, volunteers, foster care providers, day care providers, adoptions, employers, immigration, visa, adoption, and pardons. An affidavit for release is required and the signature must be notarized or witnessed by two individuals on the ABI-46 forms. We have the forms at our office.
  • Court Record: We can conduct a public record state-wide searches of all matters including civil cases, (circuit & district courts), criminal cases, domestic relations & child support, traffic cases, and outstanding warrants for legal matters before the courts.
  • Released sex offenders; available to the general public. This record is public knowledge.
  • Governor Bob Riley recently introduced new legislation establishing a zero tolerance approach to child pornography. He passed this bill to strengthen the child pornography laws in Alabama. This legislation will allow law enforcement to charge pedophiles with a separate offense for each image of child pornography in their possession. Before this law was passed, authorities could only charge pedophiles with one offense no matter how many images were found in their possession.
  • Current Inmate Incarceration: This information is available to the general public. This is an open record.
  • Business/Corporate/Officer Records;: Search can be conducted by business, corporate or officer name. We provide this service to attorneys, litigators, insurance, mergers, acquisitions, and for any other legal purpose that we deem appropriate.
  • Licensee Verifications: Verifications for Architects, Auctioneers, Chiropractors, Electrical Contractors, General Contractors, Home Builders, Marriage & Family, Massage Therapists, Medial Examiners, Real Estate, Social Work, Nursing, and Physical Therapy. This service is provided only for pre-employment purposes and litigation and any other legal purpose that we deem appropriate.
  • Request for Motor Vehicle Records: ( For the following permissible purposes and requests must be made on company letterhead): Please note for any personal information requested, we require the individual's signed consent.
  • For use by any government agency, including any court or law enforcement agency;
  • For use in connection with matters of motor vehicles, or driver safety, theft, motor vehicle parts, dealers;
  • For use to verify the accuracy of personal information submitted by an individual to the business, it's agents, employees or contractors.
  • For use in connection for preventing fraud, pursuing legal remedies against or recovering on a debt or security interest against the individual.
  • For use in connection with any proceeding in any court or government agency or before any self-regulatory body, including the service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation and the execution of enforcement of judgments, orders or pursuant to an order of a court.
  • For use in providing notice to the owner or lien holder of a towed or impounded vehicle;
  • For use by an employer or its agent or insurer to obtain information relating to a holder of a commercial driver license which is required under the Commercial Motor Safety Act.
  • For use in connection with the operation of private toll transportation facilities;
  • For any use specifically authorized by law that is related to the operation of a motor vehicle or public safety
  • For driving records, we require the written consent of the driver.

 

Alaska

Criminal Records:

  • Releases must be signed by the individual for which the record concerns and we require identification. We conduct these searches for employers, employees, volunteers, day care providers, immigration, visa, adoptions, and pardons. The turn around time is 2-3 weeks.

Request for Motor Vehicle Records: At Duncan Investigations, we provide the following: (turn around time 2 days)

  • Accident Reports
  • Copy of the source document used to originally register the vehicle in Alaska; (i.e.: A title from the previous state, Manufacture's Certificate of Origin, etc.)
  • Odometer History;
  • Computer Printout of Current Motor Vehicle History;
  • Lienholder's Name and Address;
  • Copy of last issued Registration;
  • Registered Owner's Name and Address. (we would require the signed consent of the party to release this information).
  • The above records are only provided in compliance with statute: AS 28.10.55. They include:
  • if you are the owner of record of the vehicle;
  • if you are an agent, employee or contractor of a business and this information will be used to verify information submitted in the course of business.
  • if the requested information is to be used in connection with a civil, criminal, administrative or arbitration proceeding in a court or government agency, or before a self-regulatory body, including services of process, investigation and the execution or enforcement of a judgment or court order;
  • if you are the agent, employee or contractor for an insurer or an insurance support agency and the information will be used in connection with the claims investigation activities, anti-fraud activities, rating or underwriting.
  • if you are an employer or agent or insurer of an employer to obtain or verify information relating to a holder of a commercial driver's license that is required under 49 U.S.C. 31101-31161 of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
  • if the information will be used to provide notice to owners of towed, impounded, or abandoned vehicles.
  • for any other purpose specifically authorized by law that is related to the operation of a motor vehicle or related to public safety.

Alaska Trial Court Cases:

  • We conduct court case searches in the state of Alaska for legal matters with respect to Civil, Family and Criminal Cases. This service is generally provided for attorneys for pre-trial preparation with respect to cross examination of witnesses.

Professional License Search:

This search is provided to our clients for pre-employment screening purposes and litigation to verify the license status of an applicant in Alaska. This search provides the status of the occupational/professional license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards. This search will display the status of the licensee and any actions taken against the individual or business. The turn around time is immediate. We are able to search the following:

  • Acupuncturists
  • Architects
  • Real Estate/Appraisers
  • Audiologists
  • Chiropractors
  • Collection Agencies
  • Public Accounts
  • Concert Promoters
  • Social Workers
  • Dental
  • Dispensing Opticians
  • Dieticians
  • Electrical
  • Animal Euthanasia
  • Geologists
  • Big Name Guide Transporters
  • Barbers & Hairdressers
  • Home Inspectors
  • Pilots
  • Mechanical Administrators
  • Medical
  • Marital & Family Therapy
  • Midwifes
  • Mortuary
  • Nursing Home Administrators
  • Nutritionists
  • Nursing Aides
  • Optometry
  • Physician Assistants
  • Professional Counselors
  • Pharmacy
  • Physical & Occupational Therapy
  • Psychology
  • Residential Contract Endorsement
  • Speech Language Pathologist

Corporations & Business Searches: At Duncan Investigations, we conduct corporate and business searches for litigation, mergers, acquisitions, due diligence, and contractual procurements. We can search by the following:

  • By Business Name;
  • By Registered Agent;
  • By AK Entity Number;

Sex Offender Registry In Alaska: At Duncan Investigations, we conduct quick and immediate sex offender searches for the purposes of protecting the public or any other matter. We require the full name of the individual.


Arizona

Motor Vehicle Records: At Duncan Investigations, we will provide motor vehicle requests in the State of Arizona for the following permissible purposes under the authority of 18 U.S.C. 2721. (proof is required)

  • you are requesting a copy of your own record;
  • you have the written consent of the individual whose record is being requested. We require a signed and notarized consent of form #96-0276. We have these forms at our office.
  • you are acting on behalf of the Federal, state or local government agency and the record/s will be used to carry out the official functions of the agency;
  • if you are an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Arizona and the record will be used in connection with a civil, criminal, administrative or arbitral proceeding in federal, state or local court, or a proceeding held before a government agency or self-regulatory body such as for the service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation, execution or enforcement of judgments, orders or other actions taken pursuant to a court order or judgment. We require the style of cause and case number. For judgments and orders, we require a copy.
  • if you are an employer or its agent or insurer, and the record will be used to obtain or confirm information in relation to an individual's commercial driver's license.
  • if you are an authorized agent, employee or contractor of an insurance company, insurance support organization or self-insured entity, and the information is used for the purposes of a claims investigation, anti fraud activities, rating or underwriting.
  • if you are an owner or an authorized agent, employee or contractor of a legitimate business and the record will be used in the normal course of that business but only to a). verify the accuracy of the personal information submitted to the business by the individual whose record is being requested and/or 2). to obtain correct information about this individual for the purposes of preventing fraud, pursuing legal remedies or collecting a debt or security interest against the individual.
  • the record will be used in connection with matters of motor vehicle or driver safety and theft; motor vehicle emissions; motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories; performance monitoring of motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts and dealers; motor vehicle market research activities, including survey research; and removal of non-owner records from the original owner records of motor vehicle manufacturers.
  • the record will be used in providing notice to the owner of towed or impounded vehicles;
  • the record will be used in connection with the operation of a private toll transportation facility.
  • the record will be used for a purpose specifically authorized by ARS 28-450 relating to a vehicle accident, bonded title, self-storage, vehicle foreclosure sale or motor vehicle dealer.

Highway Collision Accident Reports: Are available only to parties involved in the accident and/or their legal/investigative representatives. These reports involve accidents investigated by DPS Highway Patrol which took place on a highway. If the accident occurred in the City, we would require the city and name of the law enforcement agency. Arizona Law 28-667 prohibits anyone to receive a collision report for commercial solicitation. Commercial solicitation refers to any request of an accident report when the party has no relationship to the accident. These reports provide the following:

  • Report of Accident;
  • Photographs.

City Collision Accident Reports: These reports are only available to parties involved in the accident and/or their legal/investigative representative. Arizona Law prohibits anyone to examine an accident report if there is no relationship between the person requesting the accident report and the person involved in the accident. These searches are immediate and we require the following information:

  • Incident Number;
  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Driver's License Number
  • Date of Arrest:
  • Tag number:
  • Purpose of Request:

DUI Reports: These reports are only available to the parties and/or their legal/ investigative/defense representative. These reports are immediate access. For employers wishing to verify information about an applicant, we would require their written consent to run the reports on your behalf: We would require the following information:

  • Incident Number;
  • First Name;
  • Last Name;
  • Driver's license number;
  • Date of Arrest;:
  • Tag Number;

Criminal Records:

  • In the State of Arizona, only the individual can request his or her criminal record. Arizona is a closed record state. However, we can conduct public access court information in the State of Arizona in all courts. We would require the full name or case number.
  • The following case matters would be excluded in our search: sealed cases, non-served domestic violence cases, mental health cases, juvenile incorrigible/delinquency cases, probate cases, victim data, and witness data. We provide this service for legal purposes only.

Incarceration Records: This search will reveal the names of inmates who were incarcerated from 1985 to the present in the state of Arizona. We can search by the ADC number or inmate name. This information is available to the general public and is a matter of open record. This search will include the following information:

  • Aliases
  • Convictions: includes the offense/s, county of conviction/s, date of offense/s, felony class, type and sentence length.