U.S. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: LOOK BEYOND THE BASIC BACKGROUND CHECK

In today's business environment, knowing who you are dealing with can be just as important as knowing what you are buying, investing in or negotiating.

For Canadian companies entering the United States, U.S.-based corporations, law firms, investors, financial professionals and other organizations, a basic online background check may provide only part of the picture.

A professional background investigation can go further.

At Duncan Investigations Inc., we conduct U.S. Background Investigations for legitimate corporate, legal, investigative and due diligence purposes. Our approach combines traditional investigative methodology with open-source intelligence (OSINT), public-record research and digital investigation techniques to develop a broader picture of an individual or entity.

WHY GO BEYOND A BASIC BACKGROUND CHECK?

A database search may return a name, an address or a record.

An investigation asks a larger question: What does the available information collectively tell us about the individual or organization?

Individuals may have used different versions of their names. They may have lived at multiple addresses, operated businesses under different names, changed employment, maintained multiple online identities or have corporate affiliations that are not immediately apparent from a basic search.

Information can also exist across multiple jurisdictions and sources.

The value of an investigation is therefore not simply finding information. It is identifying relevant information, comparing it, connecting it and, where possible, corroborating it.

WHAT CAN A U.S. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION EXAMINE?

Depending on the lawful purpose and scope of an assignment, research may examine available information relating to identity and alias variations, current and historical addresses, employment and professional history, education and professional credentials, business and corporate affiliations, directorships and company relationships, property and asset-related information, U.S. court and legal records, telephone numbers, email addresses, usernames and online identities, publicly accessible social-media information, websites and digital footprints, publicly accessible online activity, potential indicators of digital or dark-web exposure, and identifiable business connections.

The precise scope of an investigation is determined by the client's requirements and the purpose for which the information is being obtained.

CORPORATE DUE DILIGENCE

A U.S. Background Investigation can form part of a broader corporate due diligence process.

Before entering into a significant business relationship, acquiring a company, investing in an organization or engaging a key individual, organizations may want to better understand the people and entities involved.

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

Senior executives, directors, founders and other key decision-makers can have a significant impact on an organization.

A professional investigation may examine an individual's professional history, business affiliations, public records, digital footprint and other publicly accessible information relevant to the assignment.

The objective is not to make assumptions about a person.

The objective is to provide the client with information that can help them conduct their own informed assessment.

BUSINESS PARTNER AND INVESTOR DUE DILIGENCE

Entering into a business relationship involves more than reviewing a proposal or corporate website.

Companies may want to understand the background of the people behind an organization.

Research may include corporate affiliations, historical addresses, litigation, professional information, publicly accessible online activity and other relevant information.

This can be particularly useful when dealing with unfamiliar U.S. companies or individuals from outside your existing business network.

U.S. INVESTIGATIONS FOR CANADIAN COMPANIES

For Canadian businesses expanding into the United States, conducting research from outside the country can present additional challenges.

A Canadian organization may be familiar with Canadian records and investigative processes but may not know where to look for relevant information in the United States.

Duncan Investigations Inc. provides a cross-border investigative resource for Canadian clients requiring U.S. investigative research.

Whether the matter involves a prospective business partner, executive, investor, company, litigation matter or other legitimate investigative purpose, our role is to gather and analyze relevant information and present our findings in a professional investigative format.

LEGAL AND LITIGATION SUPPORT

Attorneys may require investigative research involving individuals, businesses, witnesses, opposing parties, executives or other subjects connected to a legal matter.

Depending on the assignment, research may assist in identifying addresses, business affiliations, public records, digital information and other potentially relevant investigative leads.

OSINT AND THE DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

Modern investigations increasingly involve information found online.

Open-source intelligence, or OSINT, involves researching information available from publicly accessible sources.

An individual's digital footprint can sometimes connect information that is difficult to identify through a conventional background search.

Email addresses, usernames, websites, professional profiles, social-media accounts and other online identifiers may provide investigative leads.

WHAT DOES THE CLIENT RECEIVE?

The scope of each investigation is determined in advance.

Depending on the assignment, the final work product will include a written investigative report identifying relevant findings, source information, investigative observations and areas requiring further examination.

The objective is to give the client a clearer understanding of the available information surrounding the subject.

WHO USES U.S. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS?

Our services are frequently retained by corporate executives and management, business owners, law firms and legal counsel, investors, private equity and venture capital professionals, financial institutions, insurance professionals, corporate security and risk departments, companies conducting due diligence, organizations considering a significant business relationship, and Canadian companies conducting business in the United States.

The purpose of the investigation and applicable legal requirements determine what research can appropriately be undertaken.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

Duncan Investigations Inc. has more than 36 years of investigative experience.

Our focus is not simply on obtaining information.

It is on understanding the information.

We combine investigative experience with OSINT, digital research and public-record investigation to help clients develop a broader intelligence picture.

Whether you are considering a U.S. business relationship, researching an executive, conducting corporate due diligence, supporting a legal matter or investigating a legitimate business concern, the right investigation can provide information that a basic background check may not reveal.

NEED A U.S. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION?

Tell us what you need to know. We'll determine the appropriate investigative scope.

Our investigations can be tailored to the circumstances of the assignment and may involve identity research, corporate affiliations, employment and education history, U.S. public records, litigation research, digital footprint analysis, online identifiers and other relevant investigative research.

Contact Duncan Investigations Inc. to discuss your requirements before proceeding with an assignment.

Canadian investigative expertise. U.S. investigative research. Global perspective.

AWARDS, ACCREDITATION AND INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

Duncan Investigations Inc. has been recognized for its investigative services and business leadership in Canada and internationally.

•  Awarded as the Best Private Investigation Business in Canada for six consecutive years by the Canadian Business Review Board (2021 to 2026).

•  Selected as the Best Private Investigation Firm in 2026 by Best of Best Reviews.

•  Industry accredited with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.

•  Duncan Investigations Inc. has been awarded the 2026 Specialty Services Awards by Top 100, a global initiative recognizing excellence in over 100 countries. View the 2026 Specialty Services Award.

•  Duncan Investigations Inc. is a 2026 Trusted Business Awards Winner. Verify the 2026 Trusted Business Award.

•  Duncan Investigations Inc., a Canadian Firm with over 35 years of Experience — USA News. Read the USA News feature.

•  Janie A. Duncan, Founder of Duncan Investigations Inc., is recognized among the Top 10 Visionary Women Entrepreneurs to Follow in 2026. Read the feature on MSN.

DUNCAN INVESTIGATIONS INC.

36+ Years of Investigative Experience

Corporate Intelligence | Due Diligence | OSINT | Investigations