2 min read
Get more useful results from a Google search
A practical way to narrow a search, check the original source and keep track of what you have actually established.
Read the guideHome /
Free resource library
Free resource libraryPractical information. A clearer starting point.
Free guides to help you search more effectively, organise what you know and decide when further help could be useful.
The PDC knowledge roomA more informed
A more informed
first step.
Start with the information you can check for yourself. Our guides explain what to look for, where to be cautious and when to ask for help.
Help me find a starting point23 practical guidesFree no sign-up
Put it into practice
Checklists & templates
Organise a brief, build a timeline and record the source of information.
Understand your options
Questions, answered
Costs, timescales, discretion and what happens when you instruct PDC.
A human perspective
Ask for a basic pointer
Tell us what you have tried and where you have reached a dead end.
23 guides
2 min read
What 192.com can and cannot tell you
Understand directory records, recognise their limits and avoid spending money on searches that cannot answer your question.
Read the guide2 min read
Facebook birthdays: what a public profile can establish
A birthday shown on Facebook can be a useful clue, but visibility, identity and accuracy all need careful thought.
Read the guide2 min read
A sensible first check on Companies House
Use the official register to understand a company's identity and filing history, then decide what still needs checking.
Read the guide2 min read
Prepare a clear brief before contacting an investigator
A short, well organised outline helps an investigator understand your question and assess a proportionate next step.
Read the guide2 min read
Turn scattered documents into a useful timeline
A simple chronology can reveal gaps, reduce repetition and help someone else understand what happened without guessing.
Read the guide2 min read
When is it worth asking a private investigator?
Decide whether a simple check may be enough or whether uncertainty, complexity or the stakes justify a professional conversation.
Read the guide2 min read
People tracing: start with purpose and boundaries
Finding a record and having a proper reason to use it are different questions. Set clear limits before you begin.
Read the guide2 min read
Understand an investigation quote before you commit
Compare scope, deliverables and spending limits so that you understand what a proposed investigation will actually involve.
Read the guide2 min read
Questions to ask before instructing an investigator
Use these questions to assess the proposed work, understand its limits and decide whether you are comfortable proceeding.
Read the guide2 min read
Keep digital evidence useful, without changing it
Simple first steps for keeping messages, emails and documents organised while protecting their original context.
Read the guide2 min read
Build an evidence index an adviser can actually use
Turn a folder of mixed documents into a clear, neutral list that saves time during an initial case review.
Read the guide2 min read
Check a changed payment request before money moves
A practical verification routine for new bank details, urgent invoices and messages that appear to come from trusted contacts.
Read the guide2 min read
Check a professional’s identity and regulatory claims
Learn to check the person, firm and service being offered, rather than relying on a logo or an impressive title.
Read the guide2 min read
Read company filings without jumping to conclusions
A first-pass guide to dates, accounts and changes on the public register, with questions to take to a professional adviser.
Read the guide2 min read
Pause and verify an unexpected investment approach
Use independent checks to examine a financial approach before sharing documents, moving money or accepting a promise of recovery.
Read the guide2 min read
Prepare a clear instruction for serving legal documents
A practical checklist for helping a solicitor or process server assess the documents, recipient, deadline and required evidence of service.
Read the guide2 min read
Record your recollection clearly and honestly
A calm way to capture what you remember, distinguish it from later information and prepare for a conversation with an adviser.
Read the guide2 min read
Prepare for an asset-tracing enquiry
Separate known assets, possible leads and the legal questions that matter before committing to a wider search.
Read the guide2 min read
Take the first steps when workplace fraud is suspected
A measured preparation guide for business owners and managers who need to establish facts without prejudging the outcome.
Read the guide2 min read
Take a step back from an online relationship asking for money
Practical, non-judgemental steps when a new relationship brings requests for payments, investments or secrecy.
Read the guide2 min read
Separate a useful lead from a verified fact
A practical method for recording sources, conflicting information and the limits of an online search.
Read the guide2 min read
Surveillance: a practical fact sheet
What surveillance can establish, what a useful brief includes and the questions to ask about privacy, costs and reporting before you commission observation.
Read the guideNo matches yet. Try a different phrase or choose All.
Talk to PDC
A useful next step starts with a conversation.
Tell us what you need to establish and what you have already tried. We can discuss a basic pointer or the scope of professional support.