What is a common method for private investigators to trace assets?

Private investigators often utilize public records searches and specialized databases as a common method to trace assets because these resources provide vital information that is publicly available and can be legally accessed. Public records can include tax records, property deeds, court records, and more, which contain essential data about an individual's financial standing and ownership of assets. Additionally, specialized databases compiled from various sources can offer insights not merely accessible through general searches, enabling investigators to connect the dots about an individual's assets.

This method is favored due to its efficiency and the depth of information that can be acquired, which may not be available through personal interviews or social media analyses. While interviewing neighbors and friends or conducting social media analyses can yield anecdotal evidence or insights, they generally do not provide the comprehensive and verifiable data necessary for a thorough asset investigation. Utilizing undercover agents, while effective in certain contexts, is typically more resource-intensive and not the standard approach for asset tracing. Therefore, relying on public records and specialized databases stands out as the most systematic and factual approach in this scenario.