Investigators' Guide to Sources of Information (Other Written Prod.,
04/01/97, GAO/OSI-97-2).
GAO presented an investigative tool for identifying sources of
information about people, property, business, and finance. The guide
includes an index to locate sources of information about a topic that
may be discussed in one or more places in the guide, and a chapter on
how to use the Internet to gather information valuable to the
investigative process. In many cases, information in the sources cited
may be privileged or confidential and, therefore, unavailable.
--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------
REPORTNUM: OSI-97-2
TITLE: Investigators' Guide to Sources of Information
DATE: 04/01/97
SUBJECT: Investigations by federal agencies
Data bases
Information centers
Clearinghouses (information)
Local governments
State governments
Federal agencies
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Cover
================================================================ COVER
Office of Special Investigations
April 1997
INVESTIGATORS' GUIDE TO SOURCES OF
INFORMATION
GAO/OSI-97-2
Investigators' Guide to Sources of Information
(600415)
Abbreviations
=============================================================== ABBREV
ALR - Art Loss Register
ATF - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
CFTC - Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CIS - Central Index System
CLASS - Consular Lookout and Support System
CRS - Congressional Research Service
CTR - Currency Transaction Report
DCII - Defense Central and Investigations Index
DEA - Drug Enforcement Administration
DECA - Development of Espionage Counterintelligence and
Counterterrorism Awareness
DLR - Division of Labor Racketeering
DOD - Department of Defense
DOJ - Department of Justice
EDGAR - Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval
EFF - Electronic Frontier Foundation
e-mail - electronic mail
EPIC - El Paso Intelligence Center
ERISA - Employee Retirement Income Security Act
EX-Im Bank - Export-Import Bank of the United States
FAA - Federal Aviation Administration
FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation
FCC - Federal Communications Commission
FDA - Food and Drug Administration
FDIC - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FERC - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FHWA - Federal Highway Administration
FinCEN - Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FIRS - Fingerprint Identification Records System
FMS - Financial Management Service
FPDC - Federal Procurement Data Center
FTP - File Transfer Protocol
GAO - General Accounting Office
GILS - Government Information Locator System
GPO - Government Printing Office
GSA - General Services Administration
HHS - Department of Health and Human Services
IBIS - Interagency Border Inspection System
IBM - International Business Machines
ICTS - International Criminal Police Organization Case-Tracking
System
IFAR - International Foundation for Art Research
III - Interstate Identification Index
INS - Immigration and Naturalization Service
INTERPOL - International Criminal Police Organization
IRC - Internet Relay Chat
IRS - Internal Revenue Service
JMIE - Joint Maritime Information Element
LESC - Law Enforcement Support Center
MAGLOCLEN - Middle Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law
Enforcement Network
MOCIC - Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center
NADDIS - Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Information System
NAIL - NARA Archival Information Locator
NAILS - National Alien Information Lookout System
NARA - National Archives and Records Administration
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NCIC - National Crime Information Center
NCMEC - National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
NCUA - National Credit Union Administration
NESPIN - New England State Police Information Network
NFIC - National Fraud Information Center
NICB - National Insurance Crime Bureau
NIIS - Nonimmigrant Information System
NLETS - National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System
NRC - Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NTC - National Tracing Center
OSI - Office of Special Investigations
RISS - Regional Information Sharing System
RMIN - Rocky Mountain Information Network
ROCIC - Regional Organized Crime Information Center
SBA - Small Business Administration
SEC - Securities and Exchange Commission
SPICIN - South Pacific Islands Criminal Intelligence Network
SSA - Social Security Administration
TECS - Treasury Enforcement Communications System
USDA - U.S. Department of Agriculture
USMS - U.S. Marshals Service
USNCB - U.S. National Central Bureau
VA - Department of Veterans Affairs
WAIS - Wide Area Information Server
WHD - Wage Hour Division
WSIN - Western States Information Network
WWW - World Wide Web
Letter
=============================================================== LETTER
April 1997
This 1997 Investigators' Guide to Sources of Information is published
as a service to the investigative community by GAO's Office of
Special Investigations. It is intended to be a useful investigative
tool for identifying sources of information about people, property,
business, and finance. This year's guide is organized so that all of
the information about a single source is located in a single
definitive category. An index has been added to locate sources of
information about a topic that may be discussed in one or more places
in the guide. Finally, to make the guide useful in an increasingly
electronic environment, we have added Internet addresses wherever
possible and a chapter on how to use the Internet to gather
information valuable to the investigative process.
Additionally, for the first time, this year's guide will be
accessible electronically from GAO's home page ( http://www.gao.gov )
by first selecting "Special Publications and Software" and then
"Investigators' Guide to Sources of Information (GAO/OSI-97-2)." From
this screen, certain sections of the report are interactive, enabling
the investigator to initiate national and international links to a
wide range of organizations. These links can be established by
"clicking on" either an underlined and highlighted agency name or a
specific Internet address in the guide.
The information provided in this guide is current as of the date of
publication. As with the two previous editions of the guide, we
request your assistance in updating and improving the guide
periodically. Please submit any updates or suggestions on how the
guide can better meet users' needs directly to us by e-mail at
[log in to unmask] or by fax at (202) 371-2442. You may also write
to us at the Office of Special Investigations, U.S. General
Accounting Office, 441 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20548.
Donald J. Wheeler
Acting Director
ABOUT THE GUIDE
============================================================ Chapter 0
The 1997 Investigator's Guide to Sources of Information contains five
chapters, four on information sources and a fifth on how to access
information through the Internet.
The first four chapters--on local and state governments; federal
agencies; directories, reference works, and other sources; and
electronic databases--discuss selected information sources in
definitive categories that investigators will find helpful. The
guide's descriptions of information found in specific electronic
databases were furnished by the organizations that administer the
databases and have not been validated by GAO. Depending on their
specific needs, users of the guide may want to independently validate
the currency and accuracy of information in the databases. Tables in
chapters 1 and 2 provide details on topics discussed in the chapters.
Chapter 5 is a guide to using the Internet for investigative
purposes. In addition to sections on how to access the Internet and
the tools and functions available for Internet interaction, chapter 5
contains a sample search that may be of particular interest to the
novice Internet user. Chapter 5 also informs the user about the
types of information available from the Internet. For specific
information on the Internet and specific web browsers, please consult
applicable software manuals, local bookstores and libraries, and/or
various Internet service providers.
Chapters 2 and 5 list selected Internet addresses for investigators'
use, including addresses for federal agencies and electronic
databases. Because Internet addresses change frequently, GAO will
periodically update the electronic version of the guide to reflect
such changes.
The guide's table of contents, supplemented by its index, should help
users to locate specific subject matter. While major topics such as
federal government agencies, federal contracting, state and local
government, and directories are listed in the index, subtopics such
as counterfeiting, criminal history, income tax, and driver's
licenses are also listed.
This guide is not intended to be an exhaustive compilation of all
sources of information available to investigators. There are many
other sources of valuable information that may be useful for
investigative purposes. The specific sources of information
identified in the guide exemplify the types of information available
to investigators, many of which have proven useful in the past. The
inclusion of specific products or services should not be viewed as an
endorsement by GAO.
The images in the "SEARCHING THE NET" section of chapter 5 are
reprinted with the permission of the copyright owners.\1
--------------------
\1 Figures 5.1 through 5.10 of this guide contain images that are the
property of Netscape, copyright 1997 Netscape Communications
Corporation, all rights reserved. Netscape is a trademark of
Netscape Communications Corporation, which is registered in the
United States and other countries. The images in figures 5.1 through
5.10 are reprinted here with the permission of Netscape.
Figures 5.1 and 5.2 of this guide contain images that are the
property of C | net, copyright 1996-97, all rights reserved, and are
reprinted here with permission.
Figures 5.3 through 5.10 of this guide contain images that are the
property of Cornell University Legal Information Institute and are
reprinted here with permission.
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 0:0.1
As a user of this guide, you should be aware that, in many cases,
information in the sources we cite may be privileged or confidential
and, therefore, unavailable. Generally, the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C.
552a (1994), prohibits federal agencies from disclosing a record from
"system of records" from which information may be retrieved by
individual identifier, e.g., name, number, or symbol. However,
federal agencies may disclose a record to another agency or
governmental instrumentality for a lawful civil or criminal law
enforcement activity. To receive a record, the head of the
requesting agency must request the record in writing from the agency
that maintains the record, specifying the portion of the record
desired and the law enforcement activity for which the record is
sought. The Privacy Act imposes criminal penalties on agency
employees who wrongfully disclose protected information and on any
person who wrongfully requests or obtains protected information under
false pretenses. (5 U.S.C. 552a(i)).
LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS
============================================================ Chapter 1
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1
BUILDING INSPECTOR
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.1
The following information is available from a building inspector's
office:
-- building permits, which generally show the name of the
applicant, the address of construction, the estimated cost of
construction, and the name of the builder or contractor;
-- blueprints and plans, which show construction details and are
often submitted with applications for building permits; and
-- building inspectors' reports, which contain information
regarding compliance with construction specifications.
CORONER/MEDICAL EXAMINER
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.2
Coroner registers generally contain the name or description of the
deceased; date of inquest, if any; property found on the deceased and
its disposition; and the cause of death.
COURT CLERK
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.3
Court clerks often maintain court files on such civil actions as
liens, name changes, and divorces. These files generally include the
complaint (identifying the plaintiff(s), the defendant(s), and the
cause of action); the answer to the complaint; and the judgment
rendered. Also, depositions introduced as exhibits become part of
the court records. The court clerk's minutes or the file jacket may
indicate whether a transcript of the proceedings was taken.
Divorce case complaints usually identify the plaintiff and defendant;
place and date of marriage (which points to the appropriate county
recorder's records); date of separation, if applicable; names, ages,
and birthdates of any children; community property; and grounds or
charges, if any; and the attorneys retained by the parties. The
plaintiff's signature is usually on the complaint and the defendant's
signature can be found on the cross-complaint or answer.
Probate indexes will list probate actions alphabetically, by name of
the estate or petitioner, and will give the filing date and the
docket number. Individual case files often list causes of action and
rulings regarding the estate, and status of potential beneficiaries
who may be minors, adopted, incompetent, or insane.
Court clerks also maintain criminal court files, which may contain
information describing the crime and the charges in an indictment.
These files may also contain the complainant's signature (exemplar);
a transcript of the preliminary hearing (usually consisting of
testimony of the complainant, defendant, witnesses, and arresting
officer); the names of the prosecuting and defense attorneys; the
probation officer's report, with complete background investigation of
the defendant; and any subpoenas issued in the case.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.4
Health departments often license and inspect properties, identify and
investigate local health problems, educate businesses on local health
issues, and provide direct emergency services.
Death certificates are usually available at health departments. A
death certificate provides the decedent's name; address; sex; age;
race; social security number; birthplace; birthdate; and date, place,
and time of death. Additionally, a death certificate generally
provides the medical and coroner's certificate and information about
the decedent's parents, including their occupations.
PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.5
Personnel departments maintain the following information:
-- personal history statements on employees and political leaders;
and
-- employment records, efficiency reports, and records of salary
liens on employees.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.6
Public schools maintain the following information:
-- student records showing grades, disciplinary actions, and, in
some school districts, biographies; and
-- teacher biographies showing personal background, education, and
former employment.
RECORDER
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.7
Recorder offices maintain the following information:
-- documents pertaining to real estate transactions, including
deeds, grants, transfers, mortgages, releases of mortgages,
powers of attorney, and leases that have been acknowledged or
approved;
-- mortgages on personal property;
-- wills admitted to probate;
-- Uniform Commercial Code filings;
-- official bonds;
-- notices of mechanics' liens;
-- transcripts of judgments that are made on real estate liens;
-- notices of attachment of real estate;
-- papers pertaining to bankruptcy;
-- certified copies of decrees and judgments of courts of record;
-- Department of Defense DD 214 forms that are recorded by some
veterans as evidence of veteran status, particularly in those
states that grant veterans reduced property tax rates; and
-- marriage licenses and certificates that can provide the names,
ages, cities of residence, and places of birth of the licensees;
date and place of marriage; names of witnesses to the marriage
and their residence; and names of the cleric, judge, or justice
of the peace who performed the ceremony.
REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.8
Registrars of voters may maintain the following:
-- affidavit of registration, which includes the registrant's name
and age, occupation, and address at the time of registration,
and
-- nomination papers of candidates for public office.
REGULATORY AGENCIES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.9
Applications for business licenses, which are filed by local
regulatory agencies, have valuable information on certain types of
businesses and professions. Also, such applications often have
useful information about individuals engaged in those businesses or
professions. In many cities, the following types of businesses and
professions would be regulated and their owners and/or practitioners
would be required to apply for licenses:
-- businesses seeking liquor licenses;
-- professionals, including those trained as certified public
accountants, dentists, doctors, plumbers, electricians, and
optometrists;
-- businesses that health and fire departments periodically
inspect, including restaurants, bars, and night clubs; and
-- businesses operating under names other than the owners' names
(such businesses must register under assumed names and are
included in the "doing business as" files).
SURVEYOR
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.10
Surveyor offices maintain maps of elevations, baselines, landmarks,
important sites, roads, rights of way, and easements.
TAX ASSESSOR
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.11
Tax assessor offices maintain maps of real property, including
information on a property's dimensions, address, owner, taxable
value, and improvements.
TAX COLLECTOR
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.12
Tax collector offices maintain the following information:
-- names and addresses of payers of property taxes, including
payers who are not the apparent owners;
-- legal descriptions of property;
-- amounts of taxes paid on real and personal property;
-- delinquency status of taxes; and
-- names of former owners of property.
WELFARE COMMISSION
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:1.13
Information filed by welfare commissions is gathered by social
workers, psychologists, and physicians. Generally, the information
gathered--frequently provided by welfare recipients--is not verified.
Welfare commission files contain such information as the recipient's
address, previous employment, prior earnings, and property owned.
Welfare files also contain information on (1) the property owned by
the recipient's relatives and (2) the relatives' health and criminal
records.
STATE GOVERNMENT
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:2
ATTORNEY GENERAL
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:2.1
State attorneys general are good sources of information on (1)
efforts made in the areas of statewide criminal justice, civil
enforcement, and consumer protection and (2) the functions or
administrative structure of the state offices responsible for these
areas. The following table lists addresses and telephone numbers for
state attorneys general.
Table 1.1
State Attorneys General
Telephone
State Address number
------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------
Alabama State House, 3rd Fl. (334) 242-
11 South Union Street 7300
Montgomery, AL 36104-3760
Alaska Post Office Box 110300 (907) 465-
Diamond Court Building 3600
Juneau, AK 99811
123 Fourth Street, 6th Fl.
Diamond Court House
Juneau, AK 99801
Arizona 1275 West Washington Street (602) 542-
Phoenix, AZ 85007 4266
Arkansas 323 Center Street (501) 682-
200 Tower Building 2007
Little Rock, AR 72201
California 1300 I Street (916) 323-
Post Office Box 944255 5370
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
Colorado 1525 Sherman Street, 5th Fl. (303) 866-
Denver, CO 80203 4500
Connecticut 55 Elm Street (860) 566-
Post Office Box 120 2026
Hartford, CT 06141-0120
Delaware Carvel State Office Building (302) 577-
820 North French Street 8338
Wilmington, DE 19801
District of Columbia Office of the Corporation (202) 727-
Counsel 6248
441 4th Street, N.W., Rm. 1060
North
Washington, D.C. 20001
Florida The Capitol Building (904) 487-
Plaza Level, Suite 01 1963
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
Georgia 40 Capitol Square (404) 656-
Atlanta, GA 30334-1300 4585
Hawaii 425 Queen Street (808) 586-
Honolulu, HI 96813 1282
Idaho 700 West Jefferson Street (208) 334-
Post Office Box 83720 2400
Boise, ID 83720-0010
Illinois James R. Thompson Center (312) 814-
100 West Randolph Street, 12th 2503
Fl.
Chicago, IL 60601
Indiana Indiana Government Center South, (317) 233-
8th Fl. 4386
402 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Iowa Hoover State Office Building, (515) 281-
2nd Fl. 3053
Des Moines, IA 50319
Kansas Judicial Building (913) 296-
301 S.W. 10th Street 2215
Topeka, KS 66612
Kentucky Capitol Building, Suite 116 (502) 564-
700 Capitol Avenue 7600
Frankfort, KY 40601
Louisiana 300 Capitol Drive (504) 342-
Post Office Box 94005 7013
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Maine Six State House Station (207) 626-
Augusta, ME 04333 8800
Maryland 200 Saint Paul Place (410) 576-
Baltimore, MD 21202-2021 6300
Massachusetts One Ashburton Place (617) 727-
Boston, MA 02108 2200
Michigan Law Building, 7th Fl. (517) 373-
Post Office Box 30212 1110
525 West Ottawa Street
Lansing, MI 48909-0212
Minnesota 102 State Capitol (612) 296-
St. Paul, MN 55155 6196
Mississippi Post Office Box 220 (601) 359-
Jackson, MS 39205 3692
450 High Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Missouri Post Office Box 899 (573) 751-
Jefferson City, MO 65102 3321
207 W. High Street
Supreme Court Building
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Montana 215 N. Sanders (406) 444-
Post Office Box 201401 2026
Helena, MT 59620-1401
Nebraska 2115 State Capitol Building (402) 471-
Lincoln, NE 68509 2682
Nevada 198 South Carson Street (702) 687-
Carson City, NV 89710 4170
100 North Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701-4717
New Hampshire 33 Capitol Street (603) 271-
Concord, NH 03301 3658
New Jersey Dept. of Law and Public Safety (609) 292-
Office of Attorney General 4925
Richard J. Hughes Justice
Complex
CN 080
Trenton, NJ 08625
New Mexico Post Office Drawer 1508 (505) 827-
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1508 6000
407 Galisteo Street, #260
Santa Fe, NM 87501
New York N.Y. State Dept. of Law -the (518) 474-
Capitol 7330
Albany, NY 12224
North Carolina Post Office Box 629 (919) 733-
Raleigh, NC 27602-0629 3377
2 E. Morgan Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
North Dakota State Capitol (701) 328-
600 East Boulevard Avenue 2210
Bismarck, ND 58505-0040
Ohio Rhodes Tower (614) 466-
30 East Broad Street, 17th Fl. 4320
Columbus, OH 43215
Oklahoma 2300 North Lincoln Boulevard (405) 521-
Suite 112 3921
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Oregon 1162 Court Street, NE (503) 378-
Salem, OR 97310 6002
Pennsylvania Strawberry Square, 16th Fl. (717) 787-
Harrisburg, PA 17120 3391
Rhode Island 150 South Main Street (401) 274-
Providence, RI 02903 4400
South Carolina Post Office Box 11549 (803) 734-
Columbia, SC 29211-1549 3970
1000 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29202
South Dakota 500 East Capitol (605) 773-
Pierre, SD 57501 3215
Tennessee 500 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 114 (615) 741-
Nashville, TN 37243 6474
Texas Post Office Box 12548 (512) 463-
Austin, TX 78711 2191
209 W. 14th Street
Austin, TX 78701
Utah 236 State Capitol (801) 538-
Salt Lake City, UT 84114 1326
Vermont 109 State Street (802) 828-
Montpelier, VT 05609-1001 3171
Virginia 900 East Main Street (804) 786-
Richmond, VA 23219 2071
Washington 1125 Washington Street S.E. (360) 753-
Post Office Box 40100 6200
Olympia, WA 98504-0100
West Virginia State Capitol, Building 1, Rm. (304) 558-
E26 2021
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305-0220
Wisconsin Post Office Box 7857 (608) 266-
Madison, WI 53707-7857 1221
114 E. State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
Wyoming 123 Capitol Building (307) 777-
Cheyenne, WY 82002 7841
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:2.2
Bureaus of Vital Statistics have birth certificates on file and are
an excellent source of information about people. Birth certificates
can provide a child's name, sex, date of birth, and address of place
of birth; the names of the attending physician, midwife, and/or other
assistants; the parents' names, ages, addresses, race, places of
birth, and occupations; the mother's maiden name; and the number of
siblings. (In some states, birth certificates may be found at the
local level, such as at the health department.)
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:2.3
State Departments of Motor Vehicles maintain information on driver's
licenses, vehicle registrations, titles, automobile transfers and
sales, car dealers, car salespersons, emission inspection facilities,
and--in some states--auto repair businesses. Of those states
requiring that photographs of licensed drivers appear on their
licenses, most maintain the photographs. Many states are changing to
digital photographs..
REGULATORY AGENCIES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1:2.4
Departments and agencies that regulate individual and business
activities within a particular state can be valuable sources of
information. Individuals obtain licenses for activities such as
driving, hunting, and fishing and for such professions as medical,
legal, and public accounting. Businesses are also often required to
obtain licenses and permits to operate and file periodic reports such
as for worker's and unemployment compensation, sales tax, and state
income tax. The following state regulatory departments and agencies
maintain information valuable to investigators:
-- Bureau of Professional and Vocational Standards or Department of
Licensing;
-- Controller/Treasurer;
-- Department of Agriculture;
-- Department of Industrial Relations;
-- Department of Natural Resources;
-- Gambling Commission/Horse Racing Board;
-- Secretary of State;
-- Department of Corrections;
-- Liquor Commission;
-- Lottery Commission;
-- Securities Commission; and
-- Utility Commission.
FEDERAL AGENCIES
============================================================ Chapter 2
CABINET-LEVEL DEPARTMENTS AND
ASSOCIATED AGENCIES
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
(USDA)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.1
Various USDA agencies maintain information on
-- meat or poultry companies;
-- feedlot owners or operators, livestock brokers, and meat packers
or canners; -- rural electric or telephone cooperatives;
-- logging (tree harvesting) companies that remove timber from
national forests;
-- certain improvements to farmland;
-- the import or export of agricultural commodities, animals, or
plants; and
-- current or former USDA employees.
Some USDA agencies maintain--or have access to--financial records at
the state and local levels concerning
-- contracts with the agency;
-- recipients of various benefits, such as food stamps;
-- retail grocery stores authorized to accept food stamps; and
-- free or reduced-price school lunch meals.
Other USDA agencies maintain data on applicants/recipients of
agriculture loans, such as
-- loan applications and financial statements,
-- bank account particulars,
-- crop yields and business profits,
-- applications for and indemnities paid by federal crop insurance,
and
-- plats of property and location of other assets.
In addition, USDA has information--including certain financial
data--concerning the ownership, management, and operation of farms
and ranches that participate in various USDA programs.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.2
The Department of Commerce has information on international trade,
social and economic statistics, patents, trademarks, ocean studies,
domestic economic development, and minority businesses.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.3
To obtain information concerning military pay, dependents,
allotments, deposits, and other financial information, contact
Defense Joint Military Pay System; Director, Military Pay
Directorate, Room 404; Defense Finance and Accounting Service -
Headquarters; Crystal Mall #3; 1931 Jefferson Davis Highway;
Arlington, VA 22202 or at (703) 607-1373.
Records--that survived a July 1973 fire--concerning the personnel and
medical histories of former military personnel are located at the
Military Personnel Records Center; General Services Administration;
9700 Page Boulevard; St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. To obtain such
information, contact the Army at (314) 538-4122; the Air Force at
(314) 538-4218; and the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard at (314)
538-4200. Records destroyed in the fire may be reconstructed. If
you wish to have a record reconstructed, call (314) 538-4144.
For information on DOD investigations, see the discussion on the
Defense Central and Investigations Index in chapter 4.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.4
FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY
COMMISSION (FERC)
------------------------------------------------------ Chapter 2:1.4.1
Electric utility and natural gas companies are required to file
annual reports with FERC. The reports provide excellent financial
pictures of the companies as well as other information, e.g., names
of officers, directors, and stockholders who own more than 10 percent
of the company. FERC also maintains license and permit information
concerning companies within its regulatory control.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES (HHS)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.5
FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION (FDA)
------------------------------------------------------ Chapter 2:1.5.1
FDA is an enforcement agency of HHS. FDA investigators in the field
conduct investigations of drug firms under the jurisdiction of the
FDA.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.6
DRUG ENFORCEMENT
ADMINISTRATION (DEA)
------------------------------------------------------ Chapter 2:1.6.1
DEA maintains information on individuals and businesses licensed to
handle narcotics obtained under the Controlled Substances Act and
persons in violation of federal drug laws and regulations.
DEA administers the El Paso Intelligence Center and the Narcotics and
Dangerous Drugs Information System, both of which are discussed in
chapter 4.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION (FBI)
------------------------------------------------------ Chapter 2:1.6.2
FBI can provide information on criminal records and fingerprints, as
well as nonrestricted information pertaining to criminal offenses and
subversive activities. It also can provide information about foreign
fugitives and wanted, missing, and unidentified persons.
FBI administers the National Crime Information Center which maintains
information on a variety of subjects, such as stolen vehicles,
license plates, and guns. See chapter 4 for more information on the
Center.
FBI also maintains the following indexes:
-- State Criminal History Records,
-- Criminal History Records of Federal Offenders,
-- National Stolen Property Index (stolen government property), and
-- National Fraudulent Check Index.
See also the entries on the Fingerprint Identification Records System
and the Interstate Identification Index in chapter 4.
IMMIGRATION AND
NATURALIZATION SERVICE
(INS)
------------------------------------------------------ Chapter 2:1.6.3
INS retains the following information: alien registration records in
effect since August 27, 1940 (from July 1, 1920, to August 27, 1940,
immigrants were given identification cards); lists of passengers and
crew on vessels from foreign ports; passenger manifests and
declarations (ship, date, and point of entry); naturalization records
(names of witnesses to naturalization proceedings and acquaintances
of the individual); records of deportation proceedings; and financial
statements of aliens and persons sponsoring their entry.
See chapter 4 for information on INS' Central Index System, Law
Enforcement Support Center, National Alien Information Lookout
System, and Nonimmigrant Information System.
U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE
(USMS)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.7
USMS maintains (1) information on individuals wanted as fugitives by
the federal government and (2) records on the seizing, managing, and
selling of assets forfeited by drug traffickers and other criminals.
U.S. NATIONAL CENTRAL
BUREAU FOR THE INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION
(USNCB-INTERPOL)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.8
USNCB represents the United States in INTERPOL, operating
continuously to provide international support for U.S. law
enforcement. USNCB provides an essential communications link between
the U.S. police community and its counterparts in over 176 foreign
member countries. USNCB, therefore, can request information
regarding ownership, previous investigations, vessels possibly
involved in narcotics trafficking, cultural property and art work
that might have been stolen, and any other information legally
releasable from any of the INTERPOL member countries around the
world. The degree of information available is determined by the laws
of the countries from which the information is requested. USNCB can
place an INTERPOL international lookout for persons who have
committed an extraditable offense in the United States and are
believed to have fled to another country.
Seventeen federal and state law enforcement agencies are part of
USNCB, and all 50 states have established INTERPOL liaison offices.
The following agencies are part of USNCB: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms; Criminal Division, DOJ; Environmental Protection
Agency; Office of the Inspector General, USDA; Diplomatic Security
Service, Department of State; DEA; FBI; Federal Law Enforcement
Training Center; Massachusetts State Police; INS; Internal Revenue
Service; Naval Criminal Investigative Service; Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency; U.S. Customs Service; USMS; U.S.
Postal Inspection Service; and U.S. Secret Service. For information
about the liaison offices, contact USNCB at (202) 616-1051 or
1-800-743-5630.
See chapter 4 for information on the INTERPOL Case Tracking System.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.9
The Department of Labor has information about the Federal Employees
Compensation Act, Job Partnership Training Act, Occupational Safety
Health Act, and Mine Safety Health Act. The Department conducts
programs under these acts and retains substantial data on businesses
that participate in special work programs with the agency.
Labor organizations must submit to the Department annual financial
reports, which include statements of assets and liabilities and
statements of receipts and disbursements. They must also complete
supporting schedules: loans receivable; other investments; other
assets; other liabilities; fixed assets; loans payable; sales of
investment and fixed assets; disbursement to officers; disbursement
to employees; purchases of investment and fixed assets; benefits; and
contributions, gifts, and grants.
The Department's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration conducts
inquiries into irregularities and complaints on transgressions of
pension law.
The Department's Employment Standards Administration, Wage Hour
Division (WHD) works to achieve compliance with labor standards
through enforcement, administrative, and educational programs to
protect U.S. workers. WHD enforces federal minimum wage, overtime
pay, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor
Standards Act. It also enforces the Migrant and Seasonal
Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection
Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage garnishment provisions of
the Consumer Credit Protection Act, "whistleblower" provisions of
several environmental impact laws, and a number of employment
standards and worker protections as provided in several immigration
related statutes. Additionally, WHD administers and enforces the
prevailing wage requirements of the Davis Bacon Act, the Service
Contract Act, and other statutes applicable to federal contracts for
construction and for the provision of goods and services.
The Division of Labor Racketeering (DLR) is a component of the
Department's Office of Inspector General. DLR maintains information
about labor unions, benefit plans, and related investigations. DLR's
mission is to aggressively identify and reduce labor racketeering and
corruption in employee benefit plans, labor-management relations, and
internal union affairs. Major emphasis is placed on investigations
involving benefit plans.
Primary violations investigated by DLR include
-- payoffs from management to labor officials (Taft-Hartley Act
violations);
-- embezzlement or misapplication of a union's general funds or
assets;
-- Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute
violations;
-- false reports on Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
required documents (ERISA is a comprehensive codification of
federal law pertaining to employee benefit plans);
-- use of violence to deprive union members of their
rights--including the right to nominate and vote for candidates,
attend membership meetings, participate in benefit plans, and
examine books and records;
-- embezzlement from an employee benefit plan, including the
participation of ineligible people and payment of charges for
services not provided;
-- illegal payment (kickbacks) to influence the operations of an
employee benefit plan by, for example, providing the
administrator of the plan payment in exchange for fund business;
and
-- extortion--obstruction of interstate commerce by threat or
violence.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.10
The Department of State maintains information on passport records and
import and export licenses. The Department's Bureau of Diplomatic
Security has information on previous investigations conducted by that
office.
See chapter 4 for information on the Consular Lookout and Support
System.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.11
FEDERAL AVIATION
ADMINISTRATION (FAA)
----------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.11.1
FAA maintains records reflecting the chain of ownership of all civil
aircraft in the United States. These records include documents
relative to the manufacture, sale, transfer, inspection, and
modification of an aircraft, e.g., bill of sale, sales contract,
mortgage, and liens.
FAA also maintains records on pilots, aircraft mechanics, flight
engineers, and other individuals that it certifies for flight safety
positions. These records include information on certificates held by
airmen and the medical and law enforcement histories of airmen.
The FAA Compliance Enforcement Program will provide a microfiche
listing of registrants and their aircraft tail numbers (N number).
This Office can provide the registration history of a given aircraft
using the aircraft tail number, serial number, or registrant's name.
It can also provide airworthiness information and lien and previous
owner data.
U.S. COAST GUARD
----------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.11.2
The Coast Guard is the primary federal agency with maritime authority
for the United States. It is a complex organization of people,
ships, aircraft, boats, and shore stations that responds to tasks in
several mission and program areas, including interdiction of drug
smugglers and illegal immigrants.
The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the following information:
-- records on documented U.S. vessels,
-- names of merchant mariners on U.S. vessels and investigative
records pertaining to them,
-- records relating to maritime drug smuggling, and
-- records on criminal investigations.
See chapter 4 for information on the Joint Maritime Information
Element, which the Coast Guard manages.
FEDERAL HIGHWAY
ADMINISTRATION (FHWA)
----------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.11.3
FHWA, Office of Motor Carriers, licenses, regulates, inspects, and
registers all motor carriers operating in interstate commerce. It
keeps records of its inspections of motor carriers and a history of
violations of each carrier.
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.12
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL,
TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
(ATF)
----------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.12.1
ATF retains (1) data on distilleries, wineries, breweries,
manufacturers of tobacco products, wholesale and retail dealers of
alcoholic beverages, and certain other manufacturers, dealers, and
users of alcohol; (2) investigative reports on alleged violations
under its jurisdiction; (3) data on federally licensed firearms
manufacturers, importers, and dealers; and (4) data on federally
licensed explosive manufacturers, importers, and dealers.
ATF can trace firearms that have a serial number and that were
manufactured or imported--from the manufacturer or importer--to the
retailer after 1968. It can trace explosives materials from the
manufacturer to the distributor and/or user. ATF also maintains
records on federal firearms and explosive license holders, including
manufacturers, importers, and dealers.
See chapter 4 for information on ATF's National Tracing Center.
BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND
PRINTING
----------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.12.2
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing can assist law enforcement with
tracking currency from its printing offices to federal reserve banks.
The Bureau maintains computer files on all currency research that is
done at the request of law enforcement agencies. If a match is made,
e.g., by serial numbers, the Bureau will notify the law enforcement
agency of the match. Currency search requests should be sent to the
Office of Security, Investigative Branch; Bureau of Engraving and
Printing; Room 510-A; 301 14th Street, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20228.
BUREAU OF THE PUBLIC DEBT
----------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.12.3
The Bureau of the Public Debt maintains information on purchased and
redeemed U.S. savings bonds (registered bonds), marketable
securities, and special securities. Information maintained includes
the series of bonds involved and the surname, given name, middle name
or initial, and address of each person in whose name bonds were
purchased. The following table shows the period during which various
series of bonds were sold.
Table 2.1
Sale Dates of U.S. Savings Bond Series
Government Bond Series Period Bond Offered
----------------------------------------- ---------------------------
A March 1935 through December
1935
B January 1936 through
December 1936
C January 1937 through
December 1938
D January 1939 through April
1941
E May 1941 through June 1980
EE January 1980 to present
(ongoing)
F May 1941 through April 1952
G May 1941 through April 1952
H June 1952 through December
1979
HH January 1980 to present
(ongoing)
J May 1952 through April 1957
K May 1952 through April 1957
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL CRIMES
ENFORCEMENT NETWORK
(FINCEN)
----------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.12.4
FinCEN--an organization established by the Department of the
Treasury--collects, analyzes, and disseminates intelligence on
financial crimes. Its mission is to provide a governmentwide,
multisource intelligence and analytical network to support law
enforcement agencies in the detection, investigation, and prosecution
of financial crimes. The participating agencies are the ATF, DEA,
FBI, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Customs Service, USMS, U.S.
Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Secret Service.
FinCEN uses the majority of its resources to assist agencies in their
investigations of financial aspects of the illegal narcotics trade.
FinCEN then prioritizes investigations of such nonnarcotic crimes as
money laundering offenses, Bank Secrecy Act violations, and other
offenses of a financial nature, e.g., tax and tariff violations;
corruption; treason; and bankruptcy, financial institution, and
government contract fraud. In both the narcotic and nonnarcotic
areas, FinCEN concentrates on investigations of national or
international criminal organizations.
FinCEN produces two types of products--tactical support and strategic
analysis. Its tactical support reports either (1) provide
information and leads on criminal organizations and activities that
are under investigation by law enforcement organizations or (2)
proactively identify previously undetected criminal organizations and
activities so that investigations can be initiated. These FinCEN
reports will assist agencies in identifying assets for seizure and
forfeiture purposes and in supporting ongoing investigations. During
its strategic analyses, FinCEN collects, processes, analyzes, and
develops intelligence on the merging trends, patterns, and issues
related to activities such as financial crimes and money laundering.
FinCEN's financial database has information from reports that are
required to be filed under the Bank Secrecy Act, including the
Currency Transaction Report, Report of International Transportation
of Currency or Monetary Instruments, Currency Transaction Report by
Casinos, and Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts.
Furthermore, FinCEN has access to data from Internal Revenue Service
Form 8300 (Reports of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade
or Business).
FinCEN can be contacted at (800) SOS-BUCK (767-2825) or (703)
905-3520.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
SERVICE (FMS)
----------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.12.5
FMS reconciles all government checks paid by the U.S. Treasury and
processes all subsequent claims of forgery and non-receipt. It
maintains photocopies of canceled U.S. government checks. However,
original checks that have been determined to be forgeries are
maintained by the U.S. Secret Service, also a Treasury bureau. When
information must be obtained for the issuing disbursing office, the
investigation may be expedited by asking that office to obtain the
photocopy of the original check. In lieu of the original check, FMS'
Check Claims Branch can provide a certified microfilm copy of the
check which is recognized and accepted in most courts of law. FMS
charges a nominal fee for providing check copies.
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
(IRS)
----------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.12.6
There are two distinct law enforcement functions within the IRS: the
Criminal Investigation Division and Internal Security.
The Criminal Investigation Division investigates allegations of
violations of the Internal Revenue Code as it relates to income tax,
the Bank Secrecy Act, and money laundering statutes. The division's
special agents possess financial investigative abilities that enable
them to solve crimes by following the money trail. Armed with these
financial investigative skills and clearly defined statutory
jurisdiction, this IRS division works closely with federal, state,
and local law enforcement organizations to solve crimes such as
public corruption, telemarketing fraud, health care fraud, income tax
evasion, and those that are narcotics-related.
IRS Internal Security inspectors work for the Chief Inspector. Their
mission is to protect the integrity of the IRS, its system, and its
employees. They do this by investigating allegations of attempts to
bribe IRS employees and allegations of employee misconduct.
OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER
OF THE CURRENCY
----------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.12.7
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regulates national
banks and maintains information concerning them. National bank
examinations are made to determine banks' financial positions and to
evaluate bank assets. Bank examiners' reports contain information
about bank records, loans, and operations.
In view of their purpose and the basis on which they are obtained,
reports of national bank examinations and related correspondence and
papers are considered confidential. Requests for these documents
should include the subject's name and address, the information
desired, the reason it is needed, and the intended use.
U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE
----------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.12.8
Customs retains the following data:
-- names of businesses that are involved in imports and exports,
-- lists/records of importers and exporters,
-- lists of suspects,
-- records of seized smuggled property, and
-- declaration forms.
Customs' Office of Investigations investigates alleged violations of
import and export practices. The office's special agents participate
in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.
See chapter 4 for information on the Treasury Enforcement
Communications System, which is managed by Customs.
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.13
The Secret Service is responsible for investigating the
counterfeiting of currency and securities; forgery and altering of
government checks and bonds; thefts and fraud relating to Treasury
electronic funds transfers; financial access, telecommunications,
computer, and telemarketing fraud; fraud concerning federally insured
financial institutions; and other criminal and noncriminal cases.
The Secret Service investigates financial systems crimes, including
bank fraud; access device fraud; telemarketing and telecommunications
fraud (cellular and hard wire); computer fraud; crimes involving
automated payment systems, teller machines, and direct deposits;
forgery; alteration, false personation, or false claims involving
U.S. Treasury checks, U.S. savings bonds, U.S. Treasury notes,
bonds, and bills. The Secret Service also investigates electronic
funds transfers, including Treasury disbursements and fraud within
Treasury payment systems; fraud involving U.S. Department of
Agriculture food coupons and Authority to Participate cards; Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation investigations; Farm Credit
Administration violations; and fraud and related activity in
connection with identification and seizure. Further, the Secret
Service coordinates the activities of the U.S. Secret Service
Organized Crimes Program and oversees money laundering
investigations.
The Secret Service has concurrent jurisdiction with DOJ to
investigate fraud against any federally insured financial
institution. Agents of the Secret Service review thousands of
criminal referrals submitted by Department of the Treasury
regulators.
The Secret Service maintains records pertaining to counterfeit,
forgery, and U.S. security violation cases. The Secret Service's
central files in Washington, D.C. contain about 100,000 handwriting
specimens from known forgers. An electronic information retrieval
system facilitates the comparison of questioned handwriting with the
examples on file, for identification purposes.
As part of the 1995 Crime Bill, Congress mandated the Secret Service
to provide forensic/technical assistance--to federal, state, and
local law enforcement agencies, the Morgan P. Hardiman Task Force,
and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children--in
matters involving missing and sexually exploited children. Much of
the forensic assistance is used in the United States by the Secret
Service's Forensic Services Division. The forensic technology allows
the document examiner to scan and digitize text and writings, and
later search that material against previously recorded writings. As
a result, Secret Service created a national handwriting repository
for comparison purposes for handwritten letters in these types of
cases.
The Forensic Services Division also operates a hybrid Automated
Fingerprint Identification System, the largest of its kind, which is
composed of remote latent fingerprint terminals providing connection
to fingerprint databases with access to more than 25 million
fingerprints. Division staff can search latent fingerprints,
developed in cases involving missing and sexually exploited children,
through this system for identification purposes.
Other services offered by this program are polygraph consultation or
assistance; photographic, graphic, age progression/regression; and
voice and image enhancement technology.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS (VA)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:1.14
VA retains records of loans, tuition payments, insurance payments,
and nonrestricted medical data related to disability pensions. These
records are available at regional offices in several specific large
metropolitan areas throughout the country. The data, including
photocopies, may be obtained by writing or visiting the appropriate
regional office.
All requests should include a statement covering the need and
intended use of the information. The statement should clearly
identify the veteran and, if available, include the veteran's VA
claim number, date of birth, branch of service, and enlistment and
discharge dates.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND
RELATED FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIONS
AND CORPORATIONS
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:2
BANKS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:2.1
The relationship between banks and their customers is confidential
and privileged. Generally, information from banks may be obtained
only by subpoena. The release of information may be subject to the
Right to Financial Privacy Act (12 U.S.C. 3401-3422).
The following types of records and information are available from
banks.
-- Central master files of customers (depositors, debtors, and
safe-deposit box holders) are maintained by the bank. The bank
usually requires the customer's consent, a search warrant, or a
court order before an authorized bank official can open a
safe-deposit box. A record of entry to a safe-deposit box can
be obtained by subpoena.
-- Bank account applications can provide handwriting samples and
certain personal information about the customer, depending on
the type of account. Bank account records reflect date of
deposit, amounts of currency and checks, and dates and amounts
of withdrawals.
-- When currency in excess of $10,000 is deposited in a bank
account, the customer is required to complete a Department of
the Treasury Form 4789, Currency Transaction Report (CTR). The
CTR specifies the depositor's name, address, social security
number, and birthdate, and records the total amount of the
transaction and various other information. The bank is to
retain CTRs and forward copies to the Department of the
Treasury.
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE
UNITED STATES (EX-IM BANK)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:2.2
Ex-Im Bank is an independent U.S. government agency that helps
finance the overseas sales of U.S. goods and services. Its mission
is to create jobs through exports. It provides guarantees of working
capital loans for U.S. exporters and it guarantees the repayment of
loans or makes loans to foreign purchasers of U.S. goods and
services. Ex-Im Bank maintains information about U.S exporters and
foreign buyers who are in good standing or who have defaulted on
payments.
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:2.3
The Farm Credit Administration is the independent federal regulator
responsible for examining and ensuring the safety and soundness of
all Farm Credit System institutions. The agency is funded by the
lending institutions it regulates. The Farm Credit System is a
nationwide financial cooperative that lends to agriculture and rural
America, providing more than $60 billion in loans to some 500,000
borrowers, including farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners,
agricultural cooperatives, rural utility systems, and agribusinesses.
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION (FDIC)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:2.4
FDIC is a federally chartered corporation with two major functions:
(1) to determine the safety and soundness of financial institutions
and (2) to solve the problems created by insolvent institutions and
recover funds through the management and ultimate sale of the
institutions' assets. FDIC maintains information on FDIC-regulated
banks and failed FDIC-insured banks, including their ownership and
officers, the identities of loan borrowers, and previous
investigations. In addition, FDIC is the successor organization and
custodian of records for the former Resolution Trust Corporation, a
similarly chartered corporation that liquidated the assets of failed
savings institutions from August 1989 until December 31, 1995.
FDIC-insured banks and FDIC savings associations are examined
periodically by FDIC examiners. Each examination includes an
appraisal of management, directors, officers, and staff. The reports
of examination contain an alphabetical list of all directors,
officers, and principal employees. The examiner also comments on the
capabilities of each individual, gives his/her approximate age, and
cites other business affiliations. Additionally, the examiner
completes a form on each individual, setting forth his/her estimated
net worth, par value of stock owned, and salary.
Inquiries regarding types of records available to the public
(including records available under the Freedom of Information Act)
should be directed to the appropriate FDIC regional office or to the
Office of the Executive Secretary, which can be contacted at (202)
898-3687.
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:2.5
The Federal Reserve System is a valuable source of information on
banks and bank holding companies. The Federal Reserve has
supervisory responsibility over domestic and international operations
of all member banks, Edge Act and agreement corporations, U.S.-bank
holding companies, and over many of the U.S. activities of foreign
banking organizations. The Federal Reserve conducts joint
examinations with state agencies or alternates annual examinations
with those agencies and cooperates with the states in other areas to
reduce duplication and overlap in the examination and supervision of
state-chartered banks.
The examination of a depository institution generally entails (1) an
appraisal of the soundness of the institution's assets; (2) an
evaluation of internal operations, policies, and management; (3) an
analysis of key financial factors such as capital, earnings,
liquidity, and interest rate sensitivity; (4) a review for compliance
with all banking laws and regulations; and (5) an overall
determination of the institution's solvency. In addition to these
examinations for the general safety and soundness of state member
banks and bank holding companies, the Federal Reserve conducts
special examinations of state member banks in certain areas such as
consumer affairs; activities of trust departments, stock transfer
agents, and municipal securities dealers; and electronic data
processing. The Federal Reserve also is the primary supervisor for
bank holding companies.
In addition to quarterly reports on condition (which are available to
the public), banks and bank holding companies examination reports may
be requested for official agency use under the Federal Reserve Board
of Governor's rules regarding availability of information.
NATIONAL CREDIT UNION
ADMINISTRATION (NCUA)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:2.6
NCUA regulates, insures, and supervises all federal credit unions, as
well as state-chartered credit unions that apply for its insurance.
NCUA has two reporting requirements: federally insured credit unions
with more than $50 million in assets must file quarterly reports and
those with assets totalling less than $50 million must file
semiannually.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES AND
GOVERNMENT CORPORATIONS
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING
COMMISSION (CFTC)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.1
CFTC maintains the following information:
-- registration information concerning firms and individuals,
-- administrative and injunctive actions filed by CFTC against
firms and individuals,
-- financial reports filed by CFTC registrants, and
-- consumer complaints filed against CFTC registrants.
The National Futures Association, a self-regulatory organization
authorized by the Commodity Exchange Act, operates under the
supervision of the CFTC and is a one-stop information source for
registration and disciplinary information regarding firms and
individuals in the futures industry. This information includes
registration status and employment history; disciplinary actions
filed by the association, the CFTC, and the commodity exchanges; and
customer complaints filed under the CFTC's reparations program. The
association's information center can be contacted at (800) 621-3570
or, in Illinois, at (312) 781-1410.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION (FCC)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.2
FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio,
television, wire, satellite, and cable. It investigates and studies
all phases of communication problems and the best methods of
obtaining the cooperation and coordination of radio and wire
communication systems, including those relative to police, fire, and
forestry.
The FCC staff is organized, by function, into six operating bureaus:
Mass Media, Cable Services, Common Carrier, Compliance and
Information, Wireless Telecommunications, and International. The
various bureaus maintain data on licensees and users of communication
frequencies that include the licensing of radio/telephone circuits
and their assigned frequencies for operations.
FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.3
The Federal Maritime Commission investigates applicants for licenses
to engage in oceangoing freight-forwarding activities. Applicants
provide information to the Commission covering many aspects of their
history, including the names and residences of all corporate officers
and directors, names of partnership members or individual
proprietors, names of direct holders of five percent or more of
company stock, names of stockholders with beneficial interest in
shipments moving in U.S. foreign export commerce, and employment
history of license applicants.
GENERAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION (GSA)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.4
GSA has considerable information on architects, engineers, personal
property auctioneers, real estate appraisers, construction
contractors, sales brokers, and businesses that contract with GSA.
GSA also maintains a computerized List of Parties Excluded from
Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs.
See chapter 4 for discussions on the List and the Federal Procurement
Data Center.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.5
Over 85 percent of NASA's multibillion dollar budget goes to NASA's
contractors. Procurement files maintained by its procurement office
contain information about individual firms and their employees.
NASA requires that contractors submit with the proposals their
qualifications and resumes of the personnel who will be directly
assigned to the project. The resumes should include each person's
educational background, work experience, length of service with the
firm, and work projects.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND
RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.6
The National Archives and Records Administration operates federal
records centers throughout the country, including the National
Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Office of
the Federal Register in Washington, D.C. It also operates regional
archives and the presidential libraries.
The Federal Register is the medium for notifying the public of
official agency actions; all federal regulations must be published in
it. The Office of the Federal Register provides a periodic workshop
on the use of the Federal Register as an information source. A
handbook on the uses of the Federal Register is also available. For
information, call (202) 523-5240.
NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER
CORPORATION (AMTRAK)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.7
Amtrak maintains information on passengers' reservation histories,
method of payment, and dates of travel; the railroad industry;
railroad contractors, subcontractors, and vendors; and train routes
and schedules.
Amtrak police have access to records of all Amtrak employees. To
contact Amtrak police regarding the Amtrak National Communications
Center or investigation and police report records, call
1-800-331-0008.
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION (NRC)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.8
NRC regulates commercial nuclear power reactors; nonpower research
reactors; fuel-cycle facilities; medical, academic, and industrial
uses of nuclear materials; and the transport, storage, and disposal
of nuclear materials and waste. NRC also maintains applications and
licenses of persons and companies that export nuclear material and
equipment from the United States.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION (SEC)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.9
SEC maintains public records of corporations with stock and
securities sold to the public. These records include the following:
-- financial statements,
-- identification of officers and directors,
-- identification of owners of more than 10 percent of a
corporation's stock,
-- a description of the registrant's properties and businesses,
-- a description of the significant provisions of the security to
be offered for sale and its relationship to the registrant's
other capital securities,
-- identification of events of interest to investors,
-- identification of accountants and attorneys, and
-- a history of the business.
SEC maintains files on individuals and firms that have been reported
to it as having violated federal or state securities laws. The
information contained in these files pertains to official actions
taken against such persons and firms, including denials, refusals,
suspensions, and revocations of registrations; injunctions, fraud
orders, stop orders, and cease and desist orders; and arrests,
indictments, convictions, sentences, and other official actions.
The Securities and Exchange Commission Summary lists the changes in
beneficial ownership by officers, directors, and principal
stockholders of securities listed and registered on a national
securities exchange or those relating to public utility companies and
certain closed-end investment companies.
Copies of the documents maintained by SEC are available at its
regional or branch offices in the following cities: Atlanta,
Georgia; Miami, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois;
Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri; Denver,
Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Fort Worth, Texas; Los Angeles,
California; San Francisco, California; New York, New York; Seattle,
Washington; Washington, D.C.; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Corporate filings include the following:
-- Annual Report of Publicly Traded Company (Form 10-K)--excerpts
or complete report via DIALOG or LEXIS databases, both of which
are discussed in chapter 4;
-- Quarterly Report of Publicly Traded Company (Form 10-Q)--same as
Form 10-K;
-- Special Events in Re Publicly Traded Company (Form
8-K)--transactions resulting in change of controlling interest;
-- Registration of Security (Form 8-A)--prospectus, data relative
to the issuer;
-- Registration of Security by the Successor to (Form 8-B)--name of
issuer, relationship to primary registrant/issuer;
-- Special Events in Re Foreign Security (Form 6-K)--information
similar to Forms 10-K and 8-K, except the security is registered
under other U.S. law; and
-- Report of Acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of 5% or More of
Capital Stock of Public Company (Form 13-D)--identity of each
person or firm acquiring beneficial ownership of 5 percent or
more of capital stock or constituting a group that acquires such
beneficial ownership; description of security; agreements or
other undertakings by reporting entity; whether acquisition
results in change of control; background on each person
reporting; and sources of funds for acquisition, purpose of
acquisition, and relationship of parties.
See chapter 4 for information on SEC's Securities Information Center.
SMALL BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.10
SBA guarantees loans made by commercial lenders to eligible small
businesses; makes loans to businesses and individuals following
federally-declared disasters; and licenses investment companies to
provide venture capital to eligible small businesses. SBA also (1)
connects small firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged
Americans with contracts set aside by other federal agencies and (2)
seeks to increase federal contract opportunities for small businesses
in general. SBA-guaranteed loans are made by private-sector lenders,
with SBA promising to reimburse a specified percentage of any amount
lost by the lender. By law, the amount of SBA's guaranty under its
most popular and least restricted lending program is limited to
$750,000 and the loan maturity to 25 years.
SBA may be the best source of financial and other information about
the small businesses (and their principals) to which it provides
assistance; many of them are exempt from public disclosure laws
because of their smallness. Records on businesses and individuals
that have received SBA assistance are maintained by the division that
administers the program involved. The local SBA district office
maintains most records. Contact the local office of SBA's Office of
Inspector General, Investigations Division, for assistance in
obtaining records and other information.
SOCIAL SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION (SSA)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.11
SSA retains original applications for social security numbers.
Applications list an applicant's name (maiden and married names for a
female), birthdate, birthplace, sex, race, parents' names, and
address at time of application.
The first three digits of a social security number indicate its
assigned area of issuance. The following table lists the states and
their assigned social security numbers. (Note that some states and
Puerto Rico have more than one series of numbers.)
Table 2.2
Designated Geographic Areas for Social
Security Number Issuance
Number(s)\a Area\b Number(s)\a Area\b
--------------------- ---------------------- ------------- ------------------
001-003 New Hampshire 425-428, 587, Mississippi
588\c
004-007 Maine 429-432, 676- Arkansas
679\c
008-009 Vermont 433-439, 659- Louisiana
665\c
010-034 Massachusetts 440-448 Oklahoma
035-039 Rhode Island 449-467, 627- Texas
645
040-049 Connecticut 468-477 Minnesota
050-134 New York 478-485 Iowa
135-158 New Jersey 486-500 Missouri
159-211 Pennsylvania 501-502 North Dakota
212-220 Maryland 503-504 South Dakota
221-222 Delaware 505-508 Nebraska
223-231, 691-699\c Virginia 509-515 Kansas
232 -236 West Virginia 516-517 Montana
232, 237-246 North Carolina 518-519 Idaho
247-251, 654-658\c South Carolina 520 Wyoming
252-260, 667-675\c Georgia 521-524, 650- Colorado
653
261-267, 589-595 Florida 525, 585, New Mexico
648-649
268-302 Ohio 526-527 Arizona
303-317 Indiana 525-529, 646- Utah
647
318-361 Illinois 530, 680\c Nevada
362-386 Michigan 531-539 Washington
387-399 Wisconsin 540-544 Oregon
400-407 Kentucky 545-573, 602- California
626
408-415, 756-763\c Tennessee 574 Alaska
416-424 Alabama 575-576, 750- Hawaii
751\c
577-579 District of Columbia 586 American Samoa
580 Virgin Islands 586 Northern Mariana
Islands
580-584, 596-599 Puerto Rico 586, 617 Philippine Islands
586 Guam 700-728\d Railroad Board
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a Any number beginning with 000 will never be a valid social
security number.
\b When an area is shown more than once, it means that either (1)
certain numbers have been transferred from one state to another or
(2) an area has been divided for use among certain geographic
locations.
\c New areas allocated, but not yet issued.
\d Issuance of these numbers to railroad employees was discontinued
July 1, 1963.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE AND
U.S. POSTAL INSPECTION
SERVICE
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:3.12
The U.S. Postal Service maintains the names and addresses of post
office box holders and change of address information. It can verify
that an individual is receiving mail at a particular address.
Requests for photocopies of postal money orders may be made through
the local office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Information
concerning the mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers
of U.S. Postal Inspection Service offices nationwide is available on
the U.S. Postal Inspection Service home page on the World Wide Web.
Information concerning missing U.S. and Canadian money order forms,
counterfeit Canadian money order forms, and Invalid Express Mail
Accounts can be found on the U.S. Postal Service home page on the
World Wide Web.
The Postal Inspection Service, through the Judicial Officer, is
empowered under 39 U.S.C. 3005 to issue false presentation orders
and cease and desist orders in cases where the mail is being used to
obtain money from the public by means of false and fraudulent
statements. The orders (1) require mail to be returned to the
sender, (2) forbid payment of postal money orders connected to the
scheme, (3) require the return of money to those who purchased the
money orders, and (4) require that cited schemes cease.
Postal regulations require commercial mail-receiving agencies to
complete a PS Form 1583, Application for Delivery of Mail Through an
Agent. The data from that form, which includes personal
identification information and references for a specific individual,
can be made available to federal, state, and local law enforcement
agencies. The mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers
of Postal Inspection Service offices nationwide are available on the
World Wide Web.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AGENCIES
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:4
U.S. GENERAL ACCOUNTING
OFFICE (GAO)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:4.1
GAO's World Wide Web home page provides access to recent GAO audit
products and Comptroller General decisions, as well as information on
how to order paper copies of both recent and older GAO products. In
addition, GAO audit products from fiscal year 1995 forward and recent
decisions are available in electronic form at the Government Printing
Office's Internet site. GAO products, including those not available
on the Internet, may also be ordered by calling (202) 512-6000 or TDD
(301) 413-0006.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
(GPO)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:4.2
GPO produces and procures printed and electronic publications for the
Congress and federal departments and establishments. It prepares
catalogs and distributes and sells government publications in printed
and electronic formats. Electronic databases prepared for printing
are premastered for CD-ROM replication and are used to provide
on-line access.
GPO sells--through mail orders and government
bookstores--approximately 20,000 different printed and electronic
publications that originate in various government agencies. Orders
and inquiries concerning publications and subscriptions for sale
should be mailed to Superintendent of Documents, GPO, Washington,
D.C. 20402 or called in to (202) 512-1800. GPO also administers the
depository library program through which selected government
publications are made available, free of charge, in approximately
1,400 libraries throughout the country.
The GPO Access service provides on-line access to key publications of
the federal government, including the Congressional Record and the
Federal Register, through the Internet. For information about this
service, contact the GPO Access support team at (202) 512-1530.
JUDICIAL BRANCH
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:5
FEDERAL COURTS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:5.1
The federal court system has three basic levels: the Supreme Court
of the United States, the U.S. Courts of Appeals (by circuits), and
the U.S. District Courts.
The U.S. District Court has exclusive jurisdiction in bankruptcy,
maritime and admiralty, patents, copyright penalties, fines under
federal law, and proceedings against consuls and vice consuls of
foreign states. In addition, it has jurisdiction when the United
States or a national bank is a party and when the law specifically
states that the U.S. District Court has original jurisdiction.
In addition, some special courts, such as the following, handle
specific matters.
-- The U.S. Tax Court adjudicates controversies involving
assessment and payment of various taxes.
-- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces is an appellate
criminal court that serves as the final tribunal to review
court-martial convictions of all the Armed Forces.
-- In the federal bankruptcy courts, bankruptcy judges preside over
all cases under Title 11, United States Code, in addition to
other bankruptcy matters referred by the district court.
The table below lists federal courts throughout the United States and
their postal addresses.
Table 2.3
Directory of U.S. Courts
Location Postal Address
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------
COURTS OF APPEAL
Federal Circuit Washington, D.C.
(United States) 20439
District of Columbia Circuit Washington, D.C.
(District of Columbia) 20001
First Circuit Boston, MA 02109
(Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, and Puerto Rico)
Second Circuit New York, NY 10007
(Connecticut, New York, and Vermont)
Third Circuit Philadelphia, PA
(Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the 19106
Virgin Islands)
Fourth Circuit Richmond, VA 23219
(Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Virginia, and West Virginia)
Fifth Circuit New Orleans, LA
(Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) 70130
Sixth Circuit Cincinnati, OH
(Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee) 45202
Seventh Circuit Chicago, IL 60604
(Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin)
Eighth Circuit St. Louis, MO
(Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, 63101
North Dakota, and South Dakota)
Ninth Circuit San Francisco, CA
(Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, 94102
Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and the
Northern Mariana Islands)
Tenth Circuit Denver, CO 80294
(Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and
Wyoming)
Eleventh Circuit Atlanta, GA 30303
(Alabama, Florida, and Georgia)
DISTRICT COURTS
Alabama
Northern District Birmingham, AL
Middle District 35203
Southern District Montgomery, AL
36101
Mobile, AL 36602
Alaska Anchorage, AK
99513
Arizona Phoenix, AZ 85025
Arkansas
Eastern District Little Rock, AR
Western District 72203
Fort Smith, AR
72902
California
Northern District San Francisco, CA
Eastern District 94102
Central District Sacramento, CA
Southern District 95814
Los Angeles, CA
90012
San Diego, CA
92101
Colorado Denver, CO 80294
Connecticut New Haven, CT
06510
Delaware Wilmington, DE
19801
District of Columbia Washington, DC
20001
Florida
Northern District Tallahassee, FL
Middle District 32301
Southern District Jacksonville, FL
32201
Miami, FL 33128
Georgia
Northern District Atlanta, GA 30303
Middle District Macon, GA 31202
Southern District Savannah, GA 31412
Guam Agana, GU 96910
Hawaii Honolulu, HI 96850
Idaho Boise, ID 83724
Illinois
Northern District Chicago, IL 60604
Southern District East St. Louis, IL
Central District 62202
Springfield, IL
62701
Indiana
Northern District South Bend, IN
Southern District 46601
Indianapolis, IN
46204
Iowa
Northern District Cedar Rapids, IA
Southern District 52401
Des Moines, IA
50309
Kansas Wichita, KS 67202
Kentucky
Eastern District Lexington, KY
Western District 40596
Louisville, KY
40202
Louisiana
Eastern District New Orleans, LA
Middle District 70130
Western District Baton Rouge, LA
70802
Shreveport, LA
71101
Maine Portland, ME 04101
Maryland Baltimore, MD
21201
Massachusetts Boston, MA 02109
Michigan
Eastern District Detroit, MI 48226
Western District Grand Rapids, MI
49503
Minnesota St. Paul, MN 55101
Mississippi
Northern District Oxford, MS 38655
Southern District Jackson, MS 39201
Missouri
Eastern District St. Louis, MO
Western District 63101
Kansas City, MO
64106
Montana Billings, MT 59101
Nebraska Omaha, NE 68101
Nevada Las Vegas, NV
89101
New Hampshire Concord, NH 03301
New Jersey Newark, NJ 07102
New Mexico Albuquerque, NM
87103
New York
Northern District Syracuse, NY
Eastern District 13261
Southern District Brooklyn, NY
Western District 11201
New York, NY
10007
Buffalo, NY 14202
North Carolina
Eastern District Raleigh, NC 27611
Middle District Greensboro, NC
Western District 27402
Asheville, NC
28801
North Dakota Bismarck, ND 58502
Northern Mariana Islands Saipan, N. Mar. I.
96950
Ohio
Northern District Cleveland, OH
Southern District 44114
Columbus, OH 43215
Oklahoma
Northern District Tulsa, OK 74103
Eastern District Muskogee, OK
Western District 74402
Oklahoma City, OK
73102
Oregon Portland, OR 97205
Pennsylvania
Eastern District Philadelphia, PA
Middle District 19106
Western District Scranton, PA
18501
Pittsburgh, PA
15230
Puerto Rico Hato Rey, PR 00918
Rhode Island Providence, RI
02903
South Carolina Columbia, SC 29201
South Dakota Sioux Falls, SD
57102
Tennessee
Eastern District Knoxville, TN
Middle District 37901
Western District Nashville, TN
37203
Memphis, TN 38103
Texas
Northern District Dallas, TX 75242
Southern District Houston, TX 77208
Eastern District Tyler, TX 75702
Western District San Antonio, TX
78206
Utah Salt Lake City, UT
84101
Vermont Burlington, VT
05402
Virgin Islands St. Thomas, VI
00801
Virginia
Eastern District Alexandria, VA
Western District 22320
Roanoke, VA 24006
Washington
Eastern District Spokane, WA 99210
Western District Seattle, WA 98104
West Virginia
Northern District Elkins, WV 26241
Southern District Charleston, WV
25329
Wisconsin
Eastern District Milwaukee, WI
Western District 53202
Madison, WI 53701
Wyoming Cheyenne, WY 82001
----------------------------------------------------------------------
INSPECTORS GENERAL
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:6
The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, created offices of
Inspector General at federal agencies. Also, some legislative branch
agencies, such as GAO, have established offices of inspector general.
Their mission is to increase the economy and efficiency of agency
programs and decrease fraud, waste, and abuse in federal departments,
agencies, and designated entities. Offices of inspector general are
sources of information about businesses and related individuals they
have investigated or audited. Most offices of inspector general
maintain centralized index and case file systems. IGnet, hosted by
SBA, provides centralized Internet access to information about the
federal inspectors general and links to related Internet sites. The
following table lists inspectors general and provides their
addresses, telephone/fax numbers, and hotline numbers.
Table 2.4
Federal Inspectors General
Telephone Hotline
Federal Entity/Mailing Address\a Number Fax Number Number(s)
--------------------------------- --------------- ------------ --------------
Agency for International (202) 647- (202) 647- (800) 230-
Development 7844 5948 6539
320 21st Street, N.W., Room (703) 875-
5756NS 4999
Washington, D.C. 20523
Agriculture, Department of (202) 720-8001 (202) 690- (800) 424-
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. 1278 9121
Room 117-W (202) 690-
Washington, D.C. 20250-2301 1622
Hearing
Impaired
(202) 690-
1202
Amtrak (202) 906-4600 (202) 906- (800) 468-
400 North Capitol Street, N.W. 4564 5469
Washington, D.C. 20001-1511
Appalachian Regional Commission (202) 884-7675 (202) 884- (800) 532-
1666 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. 7691 4611
Room 215 (202) 884-
Washington, D.C. 20235 7667
Central Intelligence Agency (703) 874-2553 (703) 734- None
Washington, D.C. 20505 9649
Commerce, Department of (202) 482-4661 (202) 482- (800) 424-
Room 7898C 0567 5197
14th & Constitution Avenue, (202) 482-
N.W. 2497
Washington, D.C. 20230-0002 Hearing
Impaired
(800) 854-
8407
Commodity Futures Trading (202) 418-5110 (202) 418- (202) 418-
Commission 5522 5510
3 Lafayette Centre
1155 21st St., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20581
Consumer Product Safety (301) 504-0573 (301) 504- (301) 504-
Commission 0107 0573
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814-4408
Corporation for National Service (202) 606- (202) 565- (800) 452-
1201 New York Avenue, N.W. 5000 2795 8210
Suite 8100 ext. 445
Washington, D.C. 20525
Corporation for Public (202) 879-9669 (202) 737- (800) 599-
Broadcasting 2902 2170
901 E Street, N.W. (202) 783-
Washington, D.C. 20004-2037 5408
Defense, Department of (703) 604-8300 (703) 604- (800) 424-
400 Army Navy Drive 8310 9098
Arlington, VA 22202-2884
Education, Department of (202) 205-5439 (202) 260- (800) 647-
600 Independence Avenue, S.W. 3821 8733
Washington, D.C. 20202-1510 (202) 205-
5770
Energy, Department of (202) 586-4393 (202) 586- (800) 541-
1000 Independence Avenue, S.W. 0948 1625
Washington, D.C. 20585 (202) 586-
4073
Environmental Protection Agency (202) 260-3137 (202) 260- (202) 260-
401 M Street, S.W. 0711 4977
Washington, D.C. 20460
Equal Employment Opportunity (202) 663-4379 (202) 663- (800) 849-
Commission 7204 4230
1801 L Street, N.W., Room 3001 (202) 663-
Washington, D.C. 20507 7020
Farm Credit Administration (703) 883-4030 (703) 883- (800) 437-
1501 Farm Credit Drive 4059 7322
McLean, VA 22102-5090 (703) 883-
4316
Federal Communications (202) 418-0470 (202) 418- (888) 863-
Commission 2811 2244
1919 M Street, N.W. (202) 418-
Washington, D.C. 20554 0473
Federal Deposit Insurance (202) 416-2026 (202) 416- (800) 964-
Corporation 2906 3342
801 17th Street, N.W., Room
1096
Washington, D.C. 20434-0001
Federal Election Commission (202) 219-4267 (202) 501- (202) 219-
999 E Street, N.W., Room 940 8134 4267
Washington, D.C. 20463-0001
Federal Emergency Management (202) 646-3910 (202) 646- (800) 323-
Agency 3298 8603
500 C Street, S.W., Room 825
Washington, D.C. 20472-0001
Federal Housing Finance Board (202) 408-2544 (202) 408- (800) 276-
1777 F Street, N.W. 2972 8329
Washington, D.C. 20006-5210 (202) 408-
2900
Federal Labor Relations (202) 482-6570 (202) 482- (800) 331-
Authority 6573 3572
607 14th Street, N.W. (202) 482-
Washington, D.C. 20424-0001 6570
Federal Maritime Commission (202) 523-5863 (202) 566- (202) 523-
800 North Capitol Street, N.W. 0043 5865
Room 1072
Washington, D.C. 20573-0001
Federal Reserve Board (202) 973-5001 (202) 973- (800) 827-
20th and Constitution Avenue, 5044 3340
N.W. (202) 452-
Mail Stop 300 6400
Washington, D.C. 20551-0001
Federal Trade Commission (202) 326-2800 (202) 326- (202) 326-
601 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 2034 2800
Room H-494
Washington, D.C. 20580
General Accounting Office (202) 512-5748 (202) 512- (202) 512-
441 G Street, N.W. 2539 7470
Washington, D.C. 20548 (800) 424-
5454
General Services Administration (202) 501-0450 (202) 208- (800) 424-
18th and F Streets, N.W. 7607 5210
Washington, D.C. 20405 (202) 501-
1780
Government Printing Office (202) 512-0039 (202) 512- (800) 743-
Building 3, Room C551 1352 7574
732 North Capitol Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20401
Health and Human Services, (202) 619-3148 (202) 619- (800) HHS-
Department of 0521 TIPS
330 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Room 5250
Washington, D.C. 20201
Housing and Urban Development, (202) 708-0430 (202) 401- (800) 347-
Department of 2505 3735
451 7th Street, S.W. (202) 708-
Washington, D.C. 20410-4500 4200
Interior, Department of the (202) 208-5745 (202) 219- (800) 424-
1849 C Street, N.W. 3856 5081
Mail Stop 5341 TDD
Washington, D.C. 20240 (800) 354-
0996
(202) 208-
5300
International Trade Commission, (202) 205-2210 (202) 205- (202) 205-
U.S. 1859 2217
500 E Street, S.W., Room 515
Washington, D.C. 20436
Justice, Department of (202) 514-3435 (202) 514- (800) 869-
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 4001 4499
Room 4706
Washington, D.C. 20530
Labor, Department of (202) 219-7296 (202) 219- (800) 347-
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. 5130 3756
Washington, D.C. 20210 (202) 219-
5227
Legal Services Corporation (202) 336-8830 (202) 336- (800) 678-
750 First Street, N.E., 10th 8955 8868
Floor (202) 336-
Washington, D.C. 20002-4250 8936
National Aeronautics and Space (202) 358-1220 (202) 358- (800) 424-
Administration 2767 9183
300 E Street, S.W., Room 8V69
Washington, D.C. 20546
National Archives and Records (301) 713-7300 (301) 713- (800) 786-
Administration 7320 2551
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 1300 (301) 713-
College Park, MD 20740-6001 6667
National Credit Union (703) 518-6350 (703) 518- (703) 518-
Administration 6349 6357
1775 Duke Street (800) 778-
Alexandria, VA 22314-3428 4806
National Endowment for the Arts (202) 682-5402 (202) 682- None
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 5649
Room 528
Washington, D.C. 20506
National Endowment for the (202) 606-8350 (202) 606- (202) 606-
Humanities 8329 8423
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Room 419
Washington, D.C. 20506
National Labor Relations Board (202) 273-1960 (202) 273- (800) 736-
1099 14th Street, N.W., Room 2344 2983
9820
Washington, D.C. 20570
National Science Foundation (703) 306-2100 (703) 306- (703) 306-
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 0649 2004
1135
Arlington, VA 22230-0002
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (301) 415-5930 (301) 415- (800) 233-
Mail Stop T5D28 5091 3497
Washington, D.C. 20555-0002
Office of Personnel Management (202) 606-1200 (202) 606- (202) 606-
1900 E Street, N.W., Room 6400 2153 2423
Washington, D.C. 20415-0001 Health
insurance
fraud -
(202) 418-
3300
Panama Canal Commission (in (800) 622-2625 None (800) 622-
Panama) ext. 272-3142 2625 ext. 272-
Unit 2300 7801
APO AA 34011-2300 Pan. 272-7801
Peace Corps (202) 606-3320 (202) 606- (800) 233-
1990 K Street, N.W. 2459 5874
Washington, D.C. 20526
Pension Benefit Guaranty (202) 326-4030 (202) 326- (800) 303-
Corporation 4033 9737
1200 K Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
Postal Service, U.S. (202) 268- (202) 268- (202) 268-
475 L'Enfant Plaza, Room 2016 5600 5623 6686
Washington, D.C. 20260-0020
Railroad Retirement Board (312) 751-4690 (312) 751- (800) 772-
844 North Rush Street, Room 450 4342 4258
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 (312) 751-
4336
Securities and Exchange (202) 942-4460 (202) 942- None
Commission 9653
450 5th Street, N.W. (11-7)
Washington, D.C. 20549
Small Business Administration (202) 205-6586 (202) 205- (800) 767-
409 3rd Street, S.W., Room 7150 7382 0385
Washington, D.C. 20416-0005 (202) 205-
7151
Smithsonian Institution (202) 287-3326 (202) 287- (202) 287-
955 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Room 3017 3676
7600
Mail Stop 905
Washington, D.C. 20560-0001
Social Security Administration (410) 966-8337 (410) 966- (800) 269-
6401 Security Boulevard, Suite 9201 0271
300 SSA employee
Altmeyer Building (800) 772-
Baltimore, MD 21235 1213
SSA program
State, Department of (202) 647-9450 (202) 647- (202) 647-
Room 6817 7660 3320
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20520-0001
Tennessee Valley Authority (423) 632-4120 (423) 632- (800) 323-
400 West Summit Hill Drive 4130 3835
Knoxville, TN 37902-1499
Transportation, Department of (202) 366-1959 (202) 366- (800) 424-
400 7th Street, S.W., Room 9210 3912 9071
Washington, D.C. 20590 (202) 366-
1461
Treasury, Department of the (202) 622-1090 (202) 622- (800) 359-
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 2073 3898
Main Treasury Building
Room 2418
Washington, D.C. 20220-0002
Veterans Affairs, Department of (202) 565-7702 (202) 565- (800) 488-
810 Vermont Avenue, N.W. 7630 8244
Washington, D.C. 20420-0001 (202) 565-
8644
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a Federal Inspectors General may also be reached via the Internet on
IGnet (http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/ignet/internal/iglist.html).
The following table provides web addresses for federal agencies, most
of which are discussed in this chapter.
Table 2.5
Federal Agency Internet Addresses
Federal Agency Internet Address
---------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Cabinet-Level Departments and
Associated Agencies
Department of Agriculture http://www.usda.gov
Department of Commerce http://www.doc.gov
Department of Defense http://www.dtic.dla.mil/defenselink
Department of Education http://www.ed.gov
Department of Energy
Federal Energy Regulatory http://www.fedworld.gov/ferc/
Commission ferc.html
Department of Health and Human http://www.os.dhhs.gov
Services
Food and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov
Department of Housing and Urban http://www.hud.gov
Development
Department of the Interior http://www.doi.gov
Department of Justice http://justice2.usdoj.gov
Drug Enforcement Administration http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/deahome.htm
Federal Bureau of Investigation http://www.fbi.gov
Immigration Naturalization http://www.usdoj.gov/ins/245.htm/
Service #257
United States Marshals Service
http://www.gopher.usdoj.gov/bureaus/
usm.html
Department of Labor http://www.dol.gov
Department of State http://www.state.gov
Department of Transportation http://www.dot.gov
Federal Aviation Administration http://www.faa.gov
U.S. Coast Guard http://www.dot.gov/dotinfo/uscg
Department of the Treasury http://www.ustreas.gov
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
Firearms
Bureau of Engraving and Printing http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
Bureau of Public Debt http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
Federal Law Enforcement http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
Training Center http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
Financial Crimes Enforcement http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
Network
Financial Management Service http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
Internal Revenue Service http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
Office of the Comptroller of the http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
Currency
Office of Thrift Supervision http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
U.S. Customs Service http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
U.S. Mint http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
Treasurer of the United States http://www.ustreas.gov/bureaus
U.S. Secret Service
Veterans Affairs http://www.va.gov
Banks and Related Federal
Administrations and Corporations
Export-Import Bank http://www.exim.gov
Federal Deposit Insurance http://www.fdic.gov
Corporation
Federal Reserve System http://www.bog.frb.fed.us
National Credit Union http://www.ncua.gov
Administration
Independent Establishments and
Government Corporations
Commodity Futures Trading http://www.cftc.gov/cftc
Commission
Federal Communications http://www.fcc.gov
Commission
General Services Administration http://www.gsa.gov
National Aeronautics and Space http://www.nasa.gov
Administration
National Archives and Records http://www.nara.gov
Administration
Amtrak http://www.amtrak.com
Nuclear Regulatory Commission http://www.nrc.gov
Securities and Exchange http://www.sec.gov
Commission
Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov
Social Security Administration http://www.ssa.gov
U.S. Postal Service http://www.usps.gov
U.S. Postal Inspection Service http://www.usps.gov/websites/depart/
inspect/
jurisdic.htm
Legislative Branch Agencies
General Accounting Office http://www.gao.gov
Government Printing Office http://www.gpo.gov
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIRECTORIES, REFERENCE WORKS, AND
OTHER SOURCES
============================================================ Chapter 3
DIRECTORY ABOUT DIRECTORIES
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:1
DIRECTORIES IN PRINT
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:1.1
This annual publication thoroughly describes and indexes about 15,000
directories of all kinds, including business and industrial
directories, professional and scientific rosters, state and city
directories, and foreign and international directories. Arrangement
is by broad subject category, and indexing is by subject,
title/keyword, and alternative (electronic) format. A mid-year
supplement adds approximately 700 titles per year. Directories in
Print is available electronically through a commercial database.
DIRECTORIES FOCUSING ON
BUSINESSES
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2
AMERICA'S CORPORATE FAMILIES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.1
Volumes 1 and 2 of this 3-volume annual Dun & Bradstreet directory
list approximately 11,000 parent companies and over 79,000 subsidiary
companies and divisions owned by the parent companies. Parent
companies must have at least two locations, 250 employees, and one
subsidiary to be included in volumes 1 and 2 of the directory.
Volume 3 is the international companion to volumes 1 and 2 and lists
approximately 7,100 parent companies and 34,000 subsidiaries in the
United States and overseas. A company must have at least one U.S.
company and one subsidiary elsewhere to be listed in volume 3.
Parent company entries are alphabetically arranged and indexes of
parent companies and subsidiaries are listed by name, location, and
industrial code.
BEST INSURANCE REPORTS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.2
The annual editions of the Best Insurance Reports (Life-Health and
Property-Casualty) present detailed information on the financial
position, investments, earnings, operating results, management,
history, and group affiliation of 4,950 U.S. and 1,100 international
insurance companies. This material is the basis for Best's credit
rating of each company. Weekly updates in Best Week Insurance News
and Analysis cover individual corporate rating changes, general
insurance news stories, financial reports, executive announcements,
and Washington and international events. Best's Rating Monitor
charts rating changes on a similar schedule.
DIRECTORY OF COMPANIES
FILING ANNUAL REPORTS WITH
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION UNDER THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.3
Published by GPO, this directory lists over 14,000 companies that
sell stock on the national exchanges or over the counter and that
file annual reports with SEC. Entries are arranged alphabetically by
name and numerically by standard industrial classification code.
This directory distinguishes between public and private parent
companies.
DIRECTORY OF CORPORATE
AFFILIATIONS--WHO OWNS WHOM
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.4
This 3-volume annual directory provides information on almost 150,000
public and private parent, subsidiary, and associate companies in the
United States and overseas. Entries are arranged first by the
parent's location, and then hierarchically by the company's
organization. Criteria for inclusion is revenue in excess of $10
million or a work force in excess of 300 for U.S. companies, and
revenue in excess of $50 million for non-U.S. firms. A 2-volume
master index provides access by company name, brand name, location,
personnel, and standard industrial classification code.
DUN & BRADSTREET'S MILLION
DOLLAR DIRECTORY
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.5
This 3-volume annual Dun & Bradstreet directory contains information
on over 20,000 public and 140,000 private utilities, transportation
companies, banks, trust companies, mutual and stock insurance
companies, wholesalers, and retailers. The type of information
available includes annual sales, corporate officers, locations, phone
numbers, type of business, and number of employees. To be included
in the directory, a company must be a headquarters or a single
location and have 250 or more employees, $25 million or more in
sales, or a net worth of $500,000 or more. Company names are
arranged alphabetically. A 2-volume index is arranged by location
and standard industrial classification code.
FINANCIAL YELLOW BOOK
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.6
This directory lists over 41,000 top executives at leading financial
institutions from chief executives to subject-area officers and over
8,500 board members and their affiliations. The directory has five
indexes--on company, parent organization, geographical location,
financial services rendered, and individual name.
FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES IN
THE U.S. YELLOW BOOK
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.7
This directory has sections on foreign corporations, foreign-based
financial institutions, foreign governments (embassies and
consulates), intergovernmental organizations, non-U.S. media, and
personnel who represent foreign corporations and government in the
United States. It includes officials' titles, addresses, and
telephone and fax numbers.
MOODY'S INTERNATIONAL MANUAL
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.8
This manual contains background and financial information on over
3,000 foreign firms. It is arranged by country and gives economic
and political information and statistics for each geographical area.
It provides statistical information regarding foreign stock
exchanges, consumer price indexes, money market rates, imports, and
exports.
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.9
Moody's broad business sector manuals cover companies whose stock is
traded in the New York and American stock exchanges, regional
American stock exchanges, and in over-the-counter transactions. Each
entry contains history and background; data on acquisitions, mergers,
and subsidiaries; business and product descriptions; names and titles
of officers and directors; number of stockholders and employees;
location of plants and properties; the headquarters phone number and
address; and financial statements. Separate annual volumes with
weekly supplements cover industries, transportation, utilities, and
banking. Another series supplies detailed data on corporate and
government bond sales and ratings.
PREDICASTS FUNK AND SCOTT
INDEX, UNITED STATES
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.10
Issued weekly and cumulated monthly, quarterly, and annually, this
directory indexes articles on products, companies, and industries
that appear in most business periodicals and newspapers. Funk and
Scott also publishes the quarterly Index of Corporate Change, which
lists recent business activities such as mergers and acquisitions.
The indexes are available on CD-ROM.
STANDARD & POOR'S
CORPORATION RECORDS
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.11
Originally provided to Standard & Poor subscribers, this directory is
now available on CD-ROM. The records cover over 12,000 publicly
traded companies and 34,000 subsidiaries, affiliates, and privately
held firms. Coverage consists of a company's brief history,
financial statements, capital structure, lines of business,
subsidiaries, and officers and directors. Information on 70,000
executives is also available.
STANDARD & POOR'S REGISTER
OF CORPORATIONS, DIRECTORS
AND EXECUTIVES
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:2.12
This 3-volume annual directory lists about 56,000 public and private
companies and the names and titles of over 400,000 officials.
Company information--similar to that provided by the Dun & Bradstreet
and Moody directories--includes financial data, standard industrial
classification code products and services, and number of employees.
Indexing is by standard industrial classification code, geographical
area, and subsidiaries/divisions/affiliates. The set is updated in
April, July, and October.
DIRECTORIES FOCUSING ON
INDIVIDUALS
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3
AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORY
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.1
Published by the American Medical Association, this source contains
listings for the presidents and secretaries of all county medical
associations. The directory also has listings of doctors--by state
and city, year of birth, medical school and year of graduation, year
of license, residence and office addresses, specialties, and
membership in associated medical organizations. A name index of all
doctors is provided.
--------------------
\2 In addition to the directories focusing on individuals that are
listed in this section, several other directories cited in this
chapter--under other sections--contain information about individuals.
These other directories are the Associations Yellow Book; Directory
of Corporate Affiliations--Who Owns Whom; Dun & Bradstreet's Million
Dollar Directory; Law Firms Yellow Book; Martindale-Hubbell Law
Directory; Moody's Bank and Finance Manual; National Directory of Law
Enforcement Administrators, Prosecutors, Correctional Institutions,
and Related Agencies; National Trade and Professional Associations in
the United States; Standard & Poor's Corporation Records; Standard &
Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives; and
Thomson Bank Directory.
CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTORY
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.2
This directory is prepared by the Joint Committee on Printing and is
the official directory of the Congress. It presents short
bibliographies of each Member of the Senate and the House--listed by
states and districts, respectively--and includes additional data such
as his/her committee memberships, terms of service, administrative
assistant and/or secretary, and room and telephone numbers. The
Congressional Directory also lists officials of the courts; the
military establishments; and other federal departments and agencies,
including the District of Columbia government, governors of states
and territories, foreign diplomats, and members of the press, radio,
and television galleries. The directory is available both in paper
format and on-line. The database is updated irregularly as changes
are provided by the Joint Committee on Printing.
CONGRESSIONAL STAFF
DIRECTORY
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.3
One of a series of directories produced by the Congressional
Quarterly, this directory has an extensive section on congressional
staff biographies. Two lists--one of large-city mayors and the other
of state governors--are also helpful, as are two indexes--key
word/subject and individual/personal name. This source is updated
every 4 months.
CONGRESSIONAL YELLOW BOOK
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.4
This source has extensive lists of office staff for and party posts
of each member of the Congress. Additionally, it is updated
quarterly and has a three-part index by staff, organization, and
subject. It also contains biographical information.
CORPORATE YELLOW BOOK
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.5
This is a directory of the people who manage, direct, and shape the
largest public and privately held companies in the United States. It
enables subscribers to access corporate leaders, including board
members who are taking increased responsibility for corporate
decisionmaking. The directory features (1) over 1,000 leading
corporations and over 7,500 subsidiaries and divisions; (2) names and
titles of over 45,000 executives, including more than 10,000
corporate board members and their outside affiliations; (3) over
18,700 direct-dial telephone numbers of executives; (4) business
descriptions and annual revenues; (5) addresses, telephone and fax
numbers, and Internet addresses of corporate headquarters and
domestic and foreign subsidiaries and divisions; and (6) Washington,
D.C., government affairs offices, with addresses and telephone and
fax numbers.
DEFENSE ORGANIZATION SERVICE
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.6
From Carroll Publishing Company, this service provides coverage
exclusively for the DOD. Detailed charts describe the organization
and list the staff of the Office of the Secretary, the Joint Chiefs
of Staff, the unified commands, and the individual services. Indexes
reference locations, acronyms, key words, personal names, and program
elements. This source is updated monthly.
FEDERAL ORGANIZATION SERVICE
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.7
This loose-leaf chart produced by Carroll Publishing Company provides
names, addresses, and telephone numbers for staff members in the
White House, executive departments, independent agencies,
quasi-governmental organizations, and congressional support offices.
It has name and key word indexes and it is updated monthly. Due to
its high cost and time-consuming maintenance, it is mostly available
at selected federal government libraries.
FEDERAL REGIONAL YELLOW BOOK
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.8
This yellow book describes federal regional offices located outside
Washington, D.C. It contains over 3,000 regional directors and over
29,000 administrative staff of federal departments and agencies. It
also has information on administrators and professional staff at
federal laboratories, research centers, military installations, and
service academies.
FEDERAL STAFF DIRECTORY
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.9
Another Congressional Quarterly tool, this item is similar to the
Federal Yellow Book. One of its strong points is its
"Quasi-Official, International and Non-Government Organizations"
section that describes the mission and lists the staff of almost 50
such organizations. In addition, it contains over 2,600 biographies
of key executives and senior staff as well as entries for U.S.
ambassadors to other countries and other countries' ambassadors to
the United States. It is indexed by key word/subject and
individual/personal name. It is updated semiannually.
FEDERAL YELLOW BOOK
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.10
This quarterly publication provides detailed listings of the names,
locations, and telephone numbers of more than 40,000 staff members in
the White House, the executive departments, and the independent
agencies. Like its congressional counterpart, it has subject,
organization, and staff indexes. Over 4,000 fax numbers and e-mail
addresses are also included.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS YELLOW
BOOK
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.11
This yellow book lists over 18,000 government affairs professionals
who lobby at both the state and federal levels. It details the
issues the lobbyists contest as well as the coalitions they form to
advance their legislative agenda. Five indexes are included--on
organization, subject, current legislative issues, geographical
location, and individual name. Biographical data is included on each
professional.
JUDICIAL YELLOW BOOK
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.12
This directory provides detailed biographical information for state
and federal judges and gives information on each judge's staff,
including law clerks. It features more than 2,000 judges in the
federal court system and more than 1,200 state judges of the highest
appellate courts.
MUNICIPAL YELLOW BOOK
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.13
This directory provides information on over 30,000 elected and
appointed officials in U.S. cities, counties, and authorities,
including name, address, and telephone and fax numbers. It contains
sections on cities and counties, which feature complex hierarchies of
municipal officials. This directory also has listings for local
departments, agencies, subdivisions, and branches.
STATE YELLOW BOOK
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.14
This directory provides information on who's who in the executive and
legislative branches of the 50 state governments, as well as American
Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It has both a
subject and personnel index and includes information on government
officials, departments, agencies, and legislative committees.
Informational profiles of all states and territories are also
provided.
WHO'S WHO SERIES
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:3.15
This biennial series of international, U.S., regional, and
professional biographical sources contains information submitted by
the individual at the request of the publisher. Who's Who in America
contains entries for over 100,000 nationally prominent individuals,
and the regional and professional volumes cover many thousands more
people who are renowned in a locality or an occupation. Each entry
includes information about an individual's family, schooling,
profession, writings, and awards and about offices held by the
individual. Indexing is by location, profession, who retired, and
who died. Non-U.S.-wide titles, while following the same format as
U.S. entries, do not have indexes.
DIRECTORIES OF ASSOCIATIONS
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:4
ASSOCIATIONS YELLOW BOOK
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:4.1
This is a directory of major trade and professional associations.
Semiannual editions of the Associations Yellow Book provide current
information on chief staff executive turnovers, changes in staff and
governing boards, mergers, and name changes. It features (1) over
45,000 officers, executives, and staff, with titles, affiliations,
education, and telephone and fax numbers, at more than 1,175
associations with budgets over $1 million; (2) addresses and e-mail
addresses and telephone and fax numbers of headquarters and branches,
and Internet addresses for headquarters; (3) boards of directors,
with outside affiliations; (4) committees and chairmen, Washington
representatives, political action committees, and foundations; (5)
publications, including editors; and (6) annual budget, tax status,
number of employees, and number of members.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ASSOCIATIONS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:4.2
This 4-volume annual directory describes more than 22,000 nonprofit
associations in the United States and some foreign countries. Each
entry includes the organization's name, address, telephone and fax
numbers, purpose, recurring publications, and computer services. A
2-volume set covering more than 15,000 international organizations is
also available. Since the books are alphabetically arranged by
subject, keyword, and name, it is important to use the name, keyword,
geographical, or executive index. These resources are also available
as a commercial computer database file or on CD-ROM.
NATIONAL TRADE AND
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS IN
THE UNITED STATES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:4.3
This annual directory lists about 7,500 active U.S. national trade
and professional associations, labor unions, scientific societies,
and technical organizations. Alphabetically arranged entries contain
the name, location, telephone and fax numbers, executives' names,
history, recurring publication titles, budget amount, membership
count, and annual meeting times. The directory has subject,
geographical, budget, executive, acronym, and management firm
indexes.
DIRECTORIES OF BANKS AND
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:5
MOODY'S BANK AND FINANCE
MANUAL
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:5.1
This 4-volume annual manual covers the field of finance represented
by banks (including trust companies and savings and loan
associations), federal government financial agencies, insurance
companies, investment companies, unit investment trusts, and
miscellaneous financial enterprises. Information is also given on
real estate companies and real estate investment trusts. Material
for the manual (history, subsidiaries, officers, directors,
financials, policies, and property) comes from the institutions
themselves, the stock exchanges, or SEC filings.
MOODY'S NEWS REPORTS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:5.2
These reports are weekly supplements to the annually published
Moody's manuals which provide information on more than 30,000
publicly traded companies worldwide, and 20,000 municipal and
government entities. There are currently eight manuals and
corresponding News Reports, grouped according to size of company,
exchanges traded on, and nature of business. The objective of News
Reports is to inform customers of announcements that may affect
companies' financial condition, stability, and growth by providing
reports on their financial, structural, operational, legal, capital,
and market activities.
THOMSON BANK DIRECTORY
(REPLACES THE RAND MCNALLY
BANKERS DIRECTORY)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:5.3
This semiannual directory in 4 volumes is a guide to all U.S. and
non-U.S. banks. Entries include the name, address, and telephone
number of the bank; type of charter; funds processor; automated
clearinghouse; holding company; asset rank; financial figures;
balance sheets; officers and directors; branches; subsidiaries; and
foreign offices.
LAW FIRM AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
DIRECTORIES
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:6
LAW FIRMS YELLOW BOOK
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:6.1
This directory has information on 715 of the largest corporate law
firms in the United States. It focuses on the 4,500 administrators
and 10,000 attorneys in these firms, and it is indexed by
specialties, law schools, management/administrative personnel,
geography, and personnel. It is updated semiannually.
MARTINDALE-HUBBELL LAW
DIRECTORY
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:6.2
This 19-volume annual directory contains over 900,000 entries
consisting of profiles of law firms, corporate law departments, state
bar associations, and law schools; biographies of lawyers in private
and corporate practice; and descriptions of legal service, supplier,
and consultant firms in the United States and Canada. Indexing is by
individual, firm, specialty, and geographic area. The 4-volume
International Law Directory, which is part of the 19-volume work, has
similar entries and indexes for non-U.S. and non-Canadian firms and
individuals. It includes law digests for 140 countries and is
available electronically on CD-ROM and LEXIS.
NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATORS,
PROSECUTORS, CORRECTIONAL
INSTITUTIONS, AND RELATED
AGENCIES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:6.3
This annual source lists the following information: names,
addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers of city chiefs of
police, county sheriffs, district attorneys, state highway patrols,
and federal law enforcement agencies.
LLOYD'S DIRECTORIES ABOUT THE
SHIPPING INDUSTRY
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:7
LIST OF SHIPOWNERS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:7.1
This list includes over 40,000 owners, managers, and managing agents
for vessels listed in the Register of Ships. It is published
annually in August and includes postal addresses; telephone, telex,
and telefax numbers; fleet lists; and a geographical index.
Subscribers receive eight cumulative supplements with the list.
REGISTER OF INTERNATIONAL
SHIPOWNING GROUPS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:7.2
This register is available in 3 volumes annually (April, August, and
December). The register is indexed by ship and company name and
lists 20,000 companies operating on ships of at least 1,000 gross
tons or more; ownership of 30,000 ships; registered owners, grouped
by ship management company; and subsidiaries and associate companies,
identified together with owners' representatives.
REGISTER OF OFFSHORE UNITS,
SUBMERSIBLES AND UNDERWATER
SYSTEMS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:7.3
This register is published annually in October. It contains sections
listing mobile drilling rigs, submersibles, underwater systems, work
units (ships, barges, and platforms) used for a variety of offshore
work, owners, and addresses of offshore support ships with their
fleet lists.
REGISTER OF SHIPS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:7.4
This register is published in 3 volumes annually in July, listing
details of over 80,000 merchant ships. Cumulative monthly
supplements are provided to update the volumes.
SHIPPING INDEX
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:7.5
This index is published every week with reports on current voyages,
latest reported movements, and essential characteristics of
approximately 22,000 merchant vessels worldwide. There are three
sections in the index: (1) the World Fleet Details section which
lists 22,000 vessels engaged in oceangoing trade and records over
40,000 changes to their ownership, characteristics, latest positions,
and casualty histories; (2) the Marketing Briefing section which
highlights major changes in the market, from launches and name
changes to demolition sales; and (3) the Buyer's Guide which lists
products and services directly related to the world's marine market.
VOYAGE RECORD
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:7.6
This record details the recent voyage history of 22,000 vessels in
commercial service by reporting movements collected continuously by
Lloyd's agents worldwide. It is a companion to the Shipping Index,
which lists the historical movements of vessels.
WEEKLY LIST OF ALTERATIONS
TO THE REGISTER OF SHIPS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:7.7
This list is a noncumulative set of amendments--in alphabetical order
by ship name--to details published in the Register of Ships.
Although the amendments will appear in the monthly supplements, the
Weekly List is intended for those who need to receive updated
information expeditiously.
OTHER DIRECTORIES, INDEXES, AND
REFERENCE WORKS
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:8
BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL
INDEX
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:8.1
This monthly source, which cumulates quarterly and annually, is an
alphabetically arranged subject index to English-language
periodicals. Subjects include agricultural chemicals, agricultural
economics, agricultural engineering, agriculture and agricultural
research, animal husbandry, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology,
botany, ecology, entomology, environmental science, fishery sciences,
food science, forestry, genetics and cytology, horticulture, marine
biology and limnology, microbiology, nutrition, physiology, plant
pathology, soil science, veterinary medicine, and zoology. A
separate listing of book review citations follows the subject
entries.
GALE DIRECTORY OF DATABASES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:8.2
This directory provides detailed descriptions of over 5,900 data
bases worldwide that are available on-line. Its scope includes all
types of databases in all subject areas. Information under each
entry is organized for rapid retrieval via computer. Producer
contact information is also included with each entry.
GALE DIRECTORY OF
PUBLICATIONS AND BROADCAST
MEDIA (FORMERLY AYER
DIRECTORY OF PUBLICATIONS)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:8.3
This 3-volume annual directory contains information on 38,000 serial
publications printed in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and the
Philippines as well as data on radio and television stations and
cable systems. Arrangement is alphabetical by location, name, and
media type. The information given about each publication includes
its address, phone number, frequency of publication, names of editors
and publishers, advertising rate, and circulation. Material on
electronic media includes programming formats, network affiliations,
operating hours, key personnel, advertising rates, and wattage.
Indexes of publishers and subjects are included, as are maps showing
sites where media originates.
INDEX TO LEGAL PERIODICALS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:8.4
This source covers English-language articles from over 600 regularly
published legal periodicals, bar association reports, and judicial
council reports of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada,
Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Arrangement is alphabetical by
subject and author. Electronic access is available on the WilsonLine
commercial database and on CD-ROM.
INDEX MEDICUS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:8.5
This monthly classified index of the world's biomedical literature
(including research, clinical practice, administration, policy
issues, and health care services) is produced by the National Library
of Medicine. It covers publications in all principal languages and
includes periodical articles and other analytical material as well as
books, pamphlets, and theses. The January issue includes lists of
the periodicals indexed and medical subject headings used. Quarterly
and annual cumulations are provided, and electronic access via
commercial databases and CD-ROM is also available.
NEWS MEDIA YELLOW BOOK
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:8.6
Over 31,000 reporters, writers, editors, and producers at more than
2,900 national news media organizations are listed in this yellow
book. It features 12 media categories--on newspapers, news services,
and bureaus; television, radio, and cable stations and networks;
publishers; independent journalists; and consumer, trade, and
association magazines. This directory is fully updated on a
quarterly basis.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS INFORMATION
SERVICE
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:8.7
This subject index to the articles, books, documents, microfiche,
pamphlets, and reports in the public affairs field is published
monthly and cumulated annually. Each year, it includes selective
indexing to more than 1,600 periodicals and 8,000 books from around
the world. It contains factual and statistical information about
political science, government, legislation, economics, and sociology..
It is also available electronically via CD-ROMs and commercial
databases.
READER'S GUIDE TO PERIODICAL
LITERATURE
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:8.8
This guide indexes articles by subject and author in over 225 popular
magazines. It is published semimonthly and cumulates annually. Each
entry includes the article's author, title, and pages as well as the
periodical's title, volume, and date. The presence of graphic
material is also noted. This tool is also available electronically
on a commercial database and on CD-ROM.
THE NEW YORK TIMES INDEX
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:8.9
This source, published semimonthly and cumulated annually, includes
an exact reference to the date, section, page, and column of The New
York Times edition in which articles will be found. It contains
cross references to names and related topics and has a brief synopsis
of articles. Electronic access to the index is available in many
forms from many sources: searchable, full-text files in the NEXIS
and Dow Jones databases; a searchable, full-text CD-ROM called The
New York Times ONDISC; and a searchable, full-text Internet site
known as THE NEW YORK TIMES ON THE WEB.
Similar resources exist for many large-city newspapers in the United
States, including the Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.
OTHER SOURCES
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9
ABSTRACT AND TITLE COMPANIES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9.1
Abstract and title companies generally develop an overview of the
property, examine the title for liens and other conditions, and
prepare a commitment to insure. Information contained in supporting
records may include transfer of property, locations, mortgage
amounts, and releases of mortgages.
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAUS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9.2
Better Business Bureaus are independently operated by Council of
Better Business Bureaus in various localities. They (1) maintain
records showing the manner in which listed merchants or businesses
operate and (2) record and investigate complaints filed against such
merchants or businesses.
BONDING COMPANIES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9.3
An application for a bond contains the applicant's (person or firm)
financial statement and data. This is essentially the same
information as required in loan applications but in greater detail.
CAR FAX
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9.4
Car Fax is a private service that provides a history of automobiles.
It determines whether there is an odometer discrepancy or evidence of
prior salvage or title washing. It covers most of the United States
and contains over 45 million problem records for over 18 million
vehicles.
CREDIT-REPORTING AGENCIES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9.5
Routine credit bureau records will disclose identifying information
limited to name, address, former address, or current/former places of
employment. They may also provide information concerning the number
of persons in the family, addresses, bank accounts maintained, and
record of judgments. However, in most instances, such information
can not be used unless obtained through a grand jury subpoena.
(Full-service databases--Equifax; Trans Union; and Experian, formerly
TRW--are discussed in chapter 4.)
INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT
ASSOCIATION
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9.6
This association has information on all international matters dealing
with aviation security, including counterterrorism efforts worldwide.
It also monitors and attempts to prevent fraud against airlines, such
as ticket fraud.
INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR
ART RESEARCH (IFAR)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9.7
IFAR is a non-profit organization established in 1969 to help prevent
the circulation of forged and misattributed works of art. IFAR
offers an Authentication Service to help resolve controversies
concerning the authenticity of works of art. IFAR also publishes
IFARreports ten times a year with articles on authentication
research, art law, theft and recovery, and extensive listings of
recently reported stolen and missing art and antiques. The IFAR can
be contacted at (212) 391-6234.
See chapter 4 for information on the Art Loss Register.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9.8
This association is the organization of insurance regulators from the
50 states, the District of Columbia, and the 4 U.S. territories. It
provides a forum for the development of policy when uniformity is
appropriate. A state regulator's primary responsibility is to
protect the interests of insurance consumers and the association
helps regulators fulfill that obligation.
PHONEFICHE
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9.9
The Phonefiche Community Cross-Reference Guide is divided into three
parts--U.S. directories, Canadian directories, and Puerto Rican
directories--and each part is subdivided into sections entitled
Community Index and Directory Coverage. The guide is both a
compendium to Phonefiche and an independent reference tool. It
facilitates the use of telephone directories in any format and
provides search assistance for directories included in the Phonefiche
program.
The guide includes a revised listing of all United States, Canadian,
and Puerto Rican telephone books arranged in alphabetical order by
state or province.
SELECT PHONE
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9.10
This six-disk CD-ROM set provides telephone numbers from millions of
residential and commercial listings across the United States.
Searchable elements include name, street, city, state, zip code, area
code, telephone number, and standard industrial classification code.
Search results can be sorted, printed, or downloaded. Currency is
indicated by the month and the year a listing appeared in a printed
directory. This set is updated quarterly.
WESTERN UNION CORPORATION
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3:9.11
Western Union (1) offers commercial financial and messaging services
to businesses as well as worldwide fund transfer services to
individuals and businesses and (2) maintains records of these
transactions.
ELECTRONIC DATABASES
============================================================ Chapter 4
GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIVE AND
LAW ENFORCEMENT DATABASES
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1
CANADIAN INTERFACE
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.1
The Canadian Interface is a semiautomated link between law
enforcement information networks of the United States and Canada. It
allows the 50 states, federal agencies that are members of the
National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, and their
Canadian counterparts to exchange police information through the
National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, using the
INTERPOL National Central Bureaus in Washington and Ottawa as the
necessary interface.
See the discussion in this chapter on the National Law Enforcement
Telecommunications System for the type of information available from
the Canadian Interface.
CENTRAL INDEX SYSTEM (CIS)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.2
CIS is an INS system that assists in locating files that contain
information on legal immigrants, naturalized citizens, and aliens who
have been formally deported or excluded. CIS also contains
information on some aliens who have come to the attention of INS
because of an investigation or an application for benefits.
Available information usually includes name, birthdate, nationality,
applicable INS files control office, date of entry, and immigration
status. The immigration status should not be considered definitive
unless confirmed by an INS officer.
Local INS offices or the El Paso Intelligence Center can provide
directions to the appropriate state coordinator. Requests may be
made by providing either a file number or name and birthdate. The El
Paso Intelligence Center is discussed further later in this chapter.
Also, see the discussion in this chapter on INS' Law Enforcement
Support Center, the point of contact for federal, state, and local
criminal justice agencies that want to know the immigration status of
a suspect alien arrested for committing an aggravated felony.
CONSULAR LOOKOUT AND SUPPORT
SYSTEM (CLASS)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.3
The Department of State's CLASS consists of an automated database of
several million names including those of aliens who have been found
ineligible for visas; those whose visa applications require a
Department of State opinion prior to issuance; and those who might be
ineligible for a visa should they apply for one. CLASS also includes
the network of telecommunication lines linking diplomatic posts to
the Washington, D.C. computer and the terminals used for CLASS
access at posts abroad.
DEFENSE CENTRAL AND
INVESTIGATIONS INDEX (DCII)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.4
DCII is the automated central repository that identifies
investigations conducted by DOD investigative agencies and personnel
security determinations made by DOD adjudicative authorities.
DCII is an unclassified system that is operated and maintained by the
Defense Investigative Service. Access is limited to DOD and other
federal agencies with adjudicative, investigative, and/or
counterintelligence missions. Information contained in the DCII is
protected by the Privacy Act of 1994.
The DCII database consists of an alphabetical index of names and
titles of individuals that appear as subjects, cosubjects, victims,
or cross-referenced incidental subjects in investigative documents
maintained by DOD criminal, counterintelligence, fraud, and personnel
security investigative activities. In addition, personnel security
determinations are maintained, by subject, in DCII.
EL PASO INTELLIGENCE CENTER
(EPIC)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.5
EPIC is a cooperative established to collect, process, and
disseminate intelligence information concerning illicit drug and
currency movement, alien smuggling, weapons trafficking, and related
activity. Staffed by personnel from 15 federal agencies, its primary
functions are (1) to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs at the highest
trafficking level through the exchange of time-sensitive, tactical
intelligence dealing principally with drug movement and (2) to
support, through the intelligence process, other programs of interest
to EPIC's participating agencies, such as alien smuggling and weapons
trafficking.
EPIC is mandated to support local law enforcement entities with drug
intelligence, all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands,
American Samoa, Guam, District of Columbia, U.S. Forest Service,
National Marine Fisheries, Bureau of Prisons, Amtrak, and DOD through
South COM, Joint Interagency Task Force, East and West, and Joint
Task Force 6.
The EPIC member agencies include DEA, INS, Customs, Coast Guard, ATF,
FAA, USMS, FBI, IRS, Secret Service, Department of State, Department
of the Interior, Central Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence
Agency, and DOD. Member agencies have direct access to all EPIC
information, with appropriate safeguards to provide for the
protection and/or secure communication of highly sensitive or
classified information. State and local law enforcement entities
have access to EPIC data through a designated group within the
respective organization or through a member agency.
EPIC can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-USE-EPIC
(873-3742).
ELECTRONIC DATA GATHERING,
ANALYSIS, AND RETRIEVAL
(EDGAR)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.6
EDGAR accelerates the receipt, acceptance, dissemination, and
analysis of time-sensitive corporate information filed with the SEC.
It performs automated collection, validation, indexing, acceptance,
and forwarding of submissions by companies and others who are
required by law to file forms with the SEC. Not all documents filed
with the SEC by public companies will be available on EDGAR for the
following reasons: some documents are not yet permitted to be filed
electronically, some submissions are voluntary, other documents may
be filed manually, and filings by foreign companies are not required
to be filed on EDGAR. Public filings to the SEC can be viewed on the
SEC home page within 48 hours of being filed.
FEDERAL PROCUREMENT DATA
CENTER (FPDC)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.7
FPDC is a convenient source of consolidated federal buying
information. It has governmentwide procurement information beginning
with fiscal year 1979. The FPDC master file contains detailed data
regarding the procurement actions of 60 federal agencies. The system
can provide a wide variety of information about federal buying. It
contains 24 data elements, including the name of the agency that
awarded the contract; contract number including order and or
modification number; purchase office and address; date of award;
principal product or service; and the name and address of the
contractor. A standard report is published each quarter which
examines the data from a variety of perspectives.
FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION
RECORDS SYSTEM (FIRS)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.8
Formerly titled the Identification Division Records System, the FBI's
FIRS performs identification and criminal history record information
functions and maintains those records for (1) federal, state, local,
and foreign criminal justice agencies, (2) noncriminal justice
agencies, and (3) other entities. It also provides identification
assistance during disasters and for other humanitarian purposes.
FIRS represents (1) individuals fingerprinted as a result of arrest
or incarceration, (2) persons fingerprinted as a result of federal
employment applications or military service, (3) persons
fingerprinted for alien registration and naturalization purposes, and
(4) individuals who want their fingerprints on record with the FBI
for personal identification purposes. In addition to the criminal
records of about 24 million people in the automated file, there are
approximately 10 million older records in the manual files..
INTERPOL CASE TRACKING
SYSTEM (ICTS)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.9
ICTS, located at USNCB in Washington, D.C., contains information
about persons, property, and organizations involved in international
criminal activity. USNCB can determine the existence of an
international connection to an investigation or of any previous
international criminal activity.
INTERSTATE IDENTIFICATION
INDEX (III)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.10
The III system contains information on criminal records of about 24
million people who were born in 1956 or later and have an FBI record.
The system also contains information on persons born prior to 1956
whose first arrest was recorded with the FBI in 1974 or later, and
selected older records for certain fugitives and repeat offenders.
See the discussion on the National Crime Information Center in this
chapter.
JOINT MARITIME INFORMATION
ELEMENT (JMIE)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.11
JMIE--a consortium of U.S. government agencies from the law
enforcement and intelligence communities--has developed a
consolidated maritime database. Consortium members are the Office of
Naval Intelligence, Military Sealift Command, DEA, Department of
State, Executive Office of the President's Office of National Drug
Control Policy, Customs, Central Intelligence Agency, Coast Guard,
Maritime Administration, Department of Energy, Defense Intelligence
Agency, INS, and National Security Agency.
The system includes information on maritime-related law enforcement
and national foreign intelligence data to meet members' operational
missions, such as narcotics interdiction, smuggling, sea and defense
zone surveillance, border control, petroleum traffic monitoring, and
emergency sealift management.
Approximately 35 operational sites allow access to data sources that
provide at-sea and in-port location information and characteristics
on commercial and private vessels and vessel registration files for
Florida, California, Delaware, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT
CENTER (LESC)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.12
INS' LESC--located in South Burlington, Vermont--provides information
on aliens who have been arrested. The center's staff queries six INS
databases in responding to requests from federal, state, and local
law enforcement agencies. Direct access to the center is available
from the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. Because of the sensitive nature of the
information provided by LESC, it can only be accessed by agencies
authorized to request criminal record information over the National
Law Enforcement Telecommunications System.
LIST OF PARTIES EXCLUDED
FROM FEDERAL PROCUREMENT AND
NONPROCUREMENT PROGRAMS
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.13
The List is maintained by GSA for the use of federal programs and
activities. Issued monthly, it identifies those parties excluded
from receiving (1) federal contracts or certain subcontracts and (2)
certain types of federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and
benefits.
NARCOTICS AND DANGEROUS
DRUGS INFORMATION SYSTEM
(NADDIS)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.14
NADDIS inquiries should be limited to narcotics-related cases or
files, smugglers of funds, other contraband, and aliens. NADDIS is
accessible through EPIC and local DEA offices.
NATIONAL ALIEN INFORMATION
LOOKOUT SYSTEM (NAILS)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.15
NAILS is an INS index of names of individuals who may be excludable
from the United States. All names in NAILS are passed to the
Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS), which is discussed
later in this chapter. Therefore, a search of NAILS is not necessary
if TECS has been searched.
NATIONAL CRIME INFORMATION
CENTER (NCIC)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.16
NCIC is a widely used law enforcement computer system. Most major
law enforcement agencies have NCIC connections.
NCIC is often compared to a large "file cabinet," with each file
having its own label or classification. This cabinet of data
contains information concerning the following:
-- stolen, missing, or recovered guns;
-- stolen articles (must have a serial number);
-- wanted persons (for questioning or arrest);
-- stolen/wanted vehicles (autos, aircraft, motorcycles);
-- stolen license plates;
-- stolen, embezzled, or missing securities, stocks, bonds, and
currency;
-- stolen/wanted boats;
-- missing persons;
-- Index to State Criminal History Records and Criminal History
Records of Federal Offenders;
-- unidentified persons;
-- foreign fugitives;
-- ATF Violent Felon File;
-- U.S. Secret Service Protection File;
-- gang and terrorist organizations file;
-- deported felon file;
-- Originating Agency Identifier File; and
-- protective order file.
The NCIC, through the Interstate Identification Index (III) system,
can provide an investigator with information on the criminal records
of about 24 million people. See the discussion on III in this
chapter.
NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
(NLETS)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.17
NLETS is a sophisticated message-switching network that links all law
enforcement and criminal justice agencies in the United States;
Puerto Rico; and, through a computerized link, to INTERPOL Canada.
Agencies include state and local law enforcement agencies, motor
vehicle and licensing departments, and a wide variety of federal
enforcement agencies. The latter includes Customs, FBI, DOJ, Secret
Service, USMS, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Air Force Office
of Special Investigations, Department of State, Department of the
Army, and Department of the Interior. The National Insurance Crime
Bureau is also linked to NLETS.
A great deal of information is available through the network,
including the following:
-- vehicle registrations by license or vehicle identification
number;
-- driver's license and driver history by name and birthdate or
driver's license number (some states support driver's license
queries by name only);
-- criminal records by name and birthdate, state identification
number, or FBI number;
-- boat registrations by hull number, registration number, or name;
-- snowmobile registrations by registration number, vehicle
identification number, or owner's name and birthdate;
-- hazardous material file data by UN number, which is an
international recognized code for hazardous material;
-- private aircraft tracking data by registration number or date
range;
-- aircraft registrations by registration number, serial number, or
names of registrant;
-- directory of participating agencies by originating agency
identifier or location;
-- registration information on diplomatic license plates;
-- index to parole/probation and corrections information; and
-- sex offenders registration information.
Through an interface to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Canadian
Police Information Centre, many files are available, including the
following:
-- criminal history by name or FPS (Canadian national
identification number);
-- wanted persons by name and birthdate;
-- stolen vehicles by license number or vehicle identification
number;
-- stolen articles by serial number;
-- stolen guns by serial number;
-- stolen securities by serial number, corporation name, issuer, or
name of owner; and
-- stolen boats/motors by license number, hull number, registration
number, or name of owner.
Users have the capability to send free-form messages to other users
either individually or via a broadcast message.
NATIONAL TRACING CENTER
(NTC)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.18
NTC, a branch of the Firearms Enforcement Division of ATF, provides
24-hour assistance to ATF field offices and law enforcement agencies
worldwide. Using ATF's Firearms Tracing System, NTC systematically
tracks firearms used to commit crimes from their place of manufacture
to the place of sale.
NATIONAL WHITE COLLAR CRIME
CENTER
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.19
The Center is dedicated to supporting law enforcement in the
prevention, investigation, and prosecution of economic crimes and
computer-related crimes. The Center has a database system that
contains information on individuals and businesses suspected of
economic criminal activity, including advanced fee loan schemes,
credit card fraud, computer fraud, and securities and investment
fraud. It can be contacted at (800) 221-4424 or (804) 323-3563.
NONIMMIGRANT INFORMATION
SYSTEM (NIIS)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.20
NIIS is an INS system that contains information on the arrivals and
departures of nonimmigrants, or aliens entering the United States for
a temporary stay. Canadians and Mexicans who visit for pleasure are
not entered into the system. NIIS also contains entry and departure
data on students, except classes Fl and Ml. Information can be
queried and retrieved by nationality, port of entry, admission class,
and date of entry.
See the discussion on the Central Index System in this chapter.
REGIONAL INFORMATION SHARING
SYSTEM (RISS)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.21
More than 4,500 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies
are members of RISS. Comprised of 6 regional projects, RISS operates
in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada.
Although the following RISS projects focus on the overall objective
noted above, each project is allowed individuality in its choice of
multijurisdictional crimes to target and in its range of services by
which to support member agencies.
-- Middle Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement
Network (MAGLOCLEN)--This project includes the states of
Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York,
Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It also encompasses the District of
Columbia and two provinces of Canada, Ontario and Quebec.
MAGLOCLEN focuses on organized criminal activity, criminal
gangs, and violent crime.
-- Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center (MOCIC)--This
project provides services to member agencies in Illinois, Iowa,
Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South
Dakota, and Wisconsin, as well as Canada. MOCIC focuses on
narcotics trafficking, professional traveling criminals,
organized crime, criminal gangs, and violent crime.
-- New England State Police Information Network
(NESPIN)--Encompassing agencies in Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont as well
as Canada, NESPIN focuses on narcotics trafficking, organized
crime, major criminal activity, criminal gangs, and violent
crime.
-- Regional Organized Crime Information Center (ROCIC)--This
project includes the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West
Virginia. It also encompasses Puerto Rico. ROCIC focuses on
narcotics violators, professional traveling criminals, organized
crime, criminal gangs, and violent crime.
-- Rocky Mountain Information Network (RMIN)--This project provides
services to member agencies in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho,
Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as
Canada. RMIN focuses on narcotics trafficking, associated
criminal activity, criminal gangs, and violent crime.
-- Western States Information Network (WSIN)--This project provides
services to member agencies in Alaska, California, Hawaii,
Oregon, and Washington, as well as Canada. WSIN focuses on
narcotics, narcotics trafficking, and criminal
organizations/associations.
SCORPIO
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.22
This on-line service is maintained by the Library of Congress and its
Congressional Research Service (CRS).
-- The Library of Congress Computerized Catalog lists works
catalogued by the Library of Congress. In addition to being
available through the Scorpio system, the catalog, as well as
other information from the Library of Congress, is now
accessible via the Internet.
-- The Bibliographic Citation File contains citations to journal
articles on many aspects of public policy, as well as citations
to congressional publications, government documents, and
independent studies. This file contains material dating back to
1976.
-- Congressional Bill Status Files are files that can be searched
by subject (e.g., acid rain) or by bill number to determine the
status of a bill, such as its resolution, ratification, and
amendments, if any. This file can also be searched by
Committee, Subcommittee, or Member's name. In many cases a
digest of the bill is provided; however, for electronic access
to the full text of congressional legislation, or to search the
Congressional Record, use the Internet.
SECURITIES INFORMATION
CENTER
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.23
Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the Securities Information Center
operates SEC's Lost and Stolen Securities Program. The Center
maintains a central database that receives and processes reports and
inquiries about missing and stolen securities. Established in 1977
to reduce trafficking in lost, stolen, and counterfeit securities,
the Center is used by investment professionals. The Center's
database currently consists of reports of lost, stolen, and
counterfeit certificates.
SENTRY
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.24
Sentry is a Federal Bureau of Prisons on-line database that contains
information on all federal prisoners incarcerated since 1980. The
information includes physical description, inmate profile, inmate
location or release location, numerical identifiers, personal history
data, security designation, past and present institution assignments,
custody classification, and sentencing information. To obtain
information, contact the Sacramento Intelligence Unit.
SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS
CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE
NETWORK (SPICIN)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.25
SPICIN is a law enforcement program of the South Pacific Chiefs of
Police Organization comprising 21 member countries of American Samoa,
Australia, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan),
Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French
Polynesia (Tahiti), Guam, Kiribati, the Kingdom of Tonga, Marshall
Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua - New
Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Western Samoa.
The primary purpose of SPICIN is to promote the gathering, recording,
and exchanging of information not otherwise available through normal
channels. Information made available concerns drug trafficking,
mobile criminals, organized/white collar crime, terrorism, the use of
the Pacific Island waters and aircraft, and other information of a
criminal nature that concerns law enforcement in the Pacific region
and elsewhere.
In addition to the 21 member countries, SPICIN can provide assistance
to the national and international law enforcement communities
regarding
-- location of suspects/fugitives/witnesses,
-- missing/wanted persons,
-- criminal history checks,
-- firearm checks,
-- license plate checks (stolen plates),
-- driver's license checks,
-- vehicle registration,
-- military checks, and
-- stolen vessels.
TREASURY ENFORCEMENT
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (TECS)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:1.26
TECS is a Department of the Treasury system managed by Customs. It
was designed to provide controlled access to a large database of
information about suspects and to interface with a number of other
law enforcement systems. These capabilities are provided to TECS
users through various applications, including the following.
-- Inspection/Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS)
applications facilitate passenger processing through the
implementation of innovative border control technology.
-- Information sharing applications permit on-line entry and
maintenance of subject records and provide access to other data
sources including NCIC/NLETS and various commercial directories.
TECS' role as the IBIS clearinghouse strongly supports Customs'
information sharing strategy by providing a formal mechanism for
acquiring relevant enforcement data from the IBIS member
agencies. In support of interagency data exchange agreements,
TECS provides both on-line and tape interfaces for capturing
information from external data sources. TECS applications allow
subject queries and reviews of linkage relationships between
subjects and other types of records. Primary query history
information is available for person and vehicle subjects.
-- Investigative applications permit on-line entry of enforcement
reports including the capture, storage, and display of full
narrative text.
-- Management information applications allow users to view, print,
or download previously generated reports.
OTHER DATABASES
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2
ART LOSS REGISTER (ALR)
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.1
ALR, which began operations in 1991, is a private international
information clearinghouse on stolen art and antiques that offers
several services to the art community, law enforcement, and the
insurance industry. The register contains a database of over 80,000
items reported as stolen or missing by INTERPOL, state and local
police, insurance companies, the FBI, foreign governments, private
collectors, art dealers, and museums. Prospective art buyers may
check the ALR to see whether a proposed purchase is stolen property
before buying a work of art. Also, theft victims and law enforcement
officials may register stolen works of art in the database.
Shareholders in the ALR include the IFAR, Sotheby's, Christie's,
Phillips, Nordstern Insurance, Aon Corporation, the Society of Fine
Auctioneers, and the British Antique Dealers Association. ALR can be
reached at (212) 391-8791.
CDB INFOTEK
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.2
CDB Infotek is an on-line source of public records, including more
than 3 billion records collected from local, county, and state
governments all across the United States; the federal government; and
various businesses.
CYBERHOUND ONLINE
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.3
CyberHound Online provides information on databases, discussion
groups, libraries, companies, people, associations, and newspapers
that have home pages on the Internet. Each entry includes name;
access paths, including gopher, telnet, file transfer protocol,
electronic mail, and web addresses; and description of the site.
CyberHound covers all subject areas accessible via the Internet and
is international in scope.
DATASTAR
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.4
DataStar, a service of Knight-Ridder Information, Inc. provides
worldwide access to over 350 databases and focuses on business data.
Information available includes directory-type listings of companies
or associations, company financial statements, bibliographic
citations, and the complete text of journal articles. Subscribers
can reach DataStar databases at its home page or via telnet.
DELUXE CHEXSYSTEMS
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.5
Deluxe ChexSystems provides data on over 11 million individuals and
businesses that have had their account closed for cause by their
financial institution due to fraud or abuse. Reasons include
automatic teller machine fraud, check kiting, and writing checks on
closed accounts. Records on abused accounts are maintained for 5
years.
DIALOG
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.6
DIALOG is a Knight-Ridder Information, Inc. service that provides
access to over 450 on-line databases and more than 45 CD-ROM titles.
DIALOG provides professional librarians and researchers with access
to articles, conference proceedings, news, and statistics from many
subject areas, such as scientific, technical, medical, business,
trade, and academic disciplines. It also has access to over 100
full-text newspapers worldwide as well as thousands of magazines and
journals.
DUN & BRADSTREET UNITED
STATES
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.7
This on-line directory contains information on more than 1.1 million
U.S. business establishments with 10 or more employees. Data
provided includes company name, address, and telephone number; type
of business, chief executive officer, company status, and subsidiary;
language preference and geographic codes; number of employees at a
given location and total number of employees; and total sales volume.
EQUIFAX
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.8
Equifax provides credit and commercial information, card processing,
check authorization, analytics and consulting, and financial
software. Some of the services provided by the Equifax subsidiary
CDB Infotek for locating persons or businesses in the United States
follow.
-- CDB Infotek's exclusive Info:PROBE, a locating tool available
anywhere, can instantly search hundreds of nationwide, regional,
and local databases to determine where information exists for a
particular subject.
-- Nationwide Consumer Reporting Agencies can be used to obtain the
most recent address that has been reported to any of the three
major nationwide credit reporting agencies and other nationwide
consumer reporting sources.
-- People Tracker can identify consumer address and demographic
information on a nationwide basis.
-- National Address Changes can be used to obtain a 3- to 12-year
history of address changes for an individual based on federal
sources.
EXPERIAN
-------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.9
Experian, which replaced TRW Information Systems and Services,
provides services on consumer and business credit, direct marketing,
and real estate information services. Key Experian services include
credit card processing, risk management, and target marketing. Some
of these services follow.
-- Property Profile, Recent Home Sales and Home Portfolio Reports
help to estimate a home's value and provide an understanding of
a particular neighborhood.
-- Business Snapshot Reports summarize credit histories--including
payment patterns and legal filings--of small businesses or
contractors.
GLOBAL SCAN USA INC.
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.10
Global Scan USA Inc. is now an integral part of the Equifax Europe
group of companies. It has been developing its position in the
on-line, business information arena since its formation in 1991.
Global Scan is a multilingual (10 languages), multinational on-line
gateway service providing subscribers with (1) a way to access credit
reports and financial statements on any public or private company in
the world and (2) country reports, including political and trade
reports and country filing requirements.
INFORMATION AMERICA
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.11
Information America, an affiliate of West Publishing, offers on-line
databases and document services that can be used to obtain background
data about businesses, locate assets and people, and retrieve
official public records. It can also provide ownership and financial
information on businesses. Information America can be reached on the
Internet or by calling (800) 532-9876.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
MACHINES (IBM) INTERNET
CONNECTION
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.12
IBM Internet Connection is a large international provider of on-line
services that offers its subscribers Internet connection services,
electronic mail, newsgroups, and business services. In addition, it
provides more than 860 dial-in numbers in approximately 50 countries.
LEXIS-NEXIS
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.13
A division of Reed Elsevier Inc., the LEXIS full-text legal
information service contains major archives of federal and state case
law, continuously updated statutes of all 50 states, state and
federal regulations and public records from major states, and
international legal materials from selected countries. LEXIS Public
Records Online service provides on-line access to information from
selected states about real and personal property assets, Uniform
Commercial Code liens, secretary of state corporation filings,
verdicts and settlements, and court indices and dockets. The NEXIS
news and business information service contains more than 7,100
sources, 3,700 of which provide their entire publications on-line.
These include the full text of regional; national; and international
newspapers, news wires, magazines, trade journals, and business
publications. NEXIS service is the exclusive on-line archival source
for The New York Times in the legal, business, and other professional
markets. Also available are brokerage house and industry analyst
reports and public records such as corporate filings, company
records, and property records.
METRONET
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.14
MetroNet, implemented by Metromail Corporation, specializes in
consumer and business information. MetroNet provides on-line access
to Metromail's National Consumer Databases for the following
purposes:
-- address verification,
-- telephone number lookup,
-- neighbors lookup, and
-- change of address.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING
AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN
(NCMEC)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.15
NCMEC is a private, nonprofit organization--mandated by the
Congress--that works in cooperation with DOJ's Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention. It is a vital resource for law
enforcement agencies throughout the United States in the search for
missing children and the quest for child protection. NCMEC operates
a 24-hour, toll-free hotline for the recovery of missing children in
cooperation with DOJ. It also operates a 24-hour, toll-free child
pornography tipline in cooperation with Customs and the Postal
Inspection Service. Additionally, NCMEC handles for the Department
of State, applications that seek the return of or access to children
abducted and brought to the United States under the Hague Convention
on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Among its
services is a National Computer Network linked via online services
with 49 state clearinghouses, the District of Columbia, the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police in Canada, New Scotland Yard in the United
Kingdom, Belgium Gendarmerie, Netherlands Police, Australia National
Police, INTERPOL, Secret Service Forensic Services, and the
Department of State. The network allows the instant transmission of
images and information on missing child cases. The NCMEC can be
contacted at 1-800-THE-LOST.
NATIONAL FRAUD INFORMATION
CENTER (NFIC)
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.16
NFIC--a project of the National Consumers League--helps consumers
report fraud and offers advice on how to avoid becoming a victim.
Incident reports are entered in the NFIC database and referred
electronically to the National Electronic Fraud Database administered
by the Federal Trade Commission and the National Association of
Attorneys General. NFIC incident reports are also referred to a
variety of federal and state regulatory and enforcement agencies--the
FBI, Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, SEC, and U.S.
Attorneys.
NATIONAL INSURANCE CRIME
BUREAU (NICB) ONLINE
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.17
NICB, a national, not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization established
in 1992, is supported by approximately 1,000 property/casualty
insurers and self-insured companies. The bureau maintains an on-line
computer database of 300 million records that assists law enforcement
officials and insurance investigators and claims personnel in
detecting fraudulent insurance claims and identifying stolen
vehicles. NICB also has an investigative force of 200 experienced
special agents who team up with insurance investigators and law
enforcement officials to uncover and prosecute vehicle theft and
insurance fraud. To obtain more information and access to NICB, call
1-800-447-6282..
QUESTEL-ORBIT
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.18
Questel-Orbit, an international on-line information company, has
files on patent, trademark, scientific, chemical, business, and news
information.
STANDARD & POOR'S DATABASES
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.19
Standard & Poor, a McGraw-Hill company, offers access to a variety of
information about companies. For an Internet link to more
information about several Standard & Poor resources, the McGraw-Hill
Internet site offers a starting point. Some Standard & Poor
information is also available as printed directories, some of which
are discussed in chapter 3.
TRANS UNION
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.20
Trans Union is an international consumer credit information company
whose products include credit reports, credit and insurance risk
scoring models, target marketing systems, preemployment evaluation
reports, skip tracing and search tools, collection services,
customized lists, and transaction services. Some of the search
services follow.
-- ATLAS is a flexible and comprehensive database that offers a
choice of four broad, automated search categories that provide
instant access to, or confirmation of, millions of addresses and
telephone numbers. Searches are possible by subject or address,
surname, or phone number.
-- IDSearch is an automated system that helps verify application
information or flag customers who provide information that
contradicts data on file by returning names, addresses, and
social security numbers based on input information.
-- TRACE is a search system that, based on the social security
index data built into Trans Union's database, can find the
current and previous addresses of any person on file, identified
by his/her social security number.
-- TRACEplus includes all information contained in the TRACE report
plus telephone numbers, aliases, age, employment, and salary
history, if available.
USDATALINK
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.21
USDatalink provides access to individuals' credit reports, criminal
records, education, workers' compensation claims, and employment
histories. A people locator service can search for individuals using
social security numbers, names, addresses, phone numbers, and
surnames. USDatalink also gives information on vehicles from
automobiles to airplanes. The database contains information on
numerous companies including asset reports, in-depth general reports,
and case records. USDatalink provides access to background checks,
and other information reports, from public record repositories and
proprietary databases throughout the United States.
WESTLAW
------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4:2.22
Westlaw, a service of West Publishing, is a computer-assisted legal
research service that contains over 9,000 databases. Coverage
includes federal and state court cases, the U.S. Code Annotated and
state statutes, federal regulations, administrative law decisions,
topical databases, legal periodicals, West's Insta-Cite, West's
QuickCite, Shepard's Citations, Shepard's PreView, Black's Law
Dictionary, and public records.
INVESTIGATORS' GUIDE TO THE
INTERNET
============================================================ Chapter 5
The Internet is made up of more than 80,000 academic, commercial,
government, and military interconnected communications (computer)
networks in over 200 countries. Originally developed for the
military, the Internet became widely used for academic and commercial
research in the 1980s. Currently, the number of Internet users is
estimated to be over 70 million; some 10 million users are said to be
connected to the "Net" at any given time. It is not unreasonable to
expect that, by the year 2000, some 1 billion users will have access
to the Internet.
For the investigator, there may be significant advantages to
accessing sources on-line rather than using a library or another
information medium. The Internet provides enormous resource
potential for investigators in a timely and cost effective manner and
is often more up-to-date than its paper counterparts.
For those who seek to defraud the public, the Internet provides a
ready avenue for their schemes. Credit card fraud, money laundering,
counterfeiting, and extortion are only a few of the ways that high
technology criminals are using the Net. Criminal investigators are
using both traditional and "cyberspace" techniques to identify and
apprehend the malefactors.
INTERNET: THE STOREHOUSE OF
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5:1
The Internet has become a rich resource for government information,
in part, because work produced by many government agencies is not
eligible for copyright protection. Many local, state, and federal
agencies have "home pages," or information sites, on the Internet,
thus enabling law enforcement investigators to gather information in
cyberspace. Internet users can access hundreds of sources of current
government information from around the world--census data, Supreme
Court decisions, property and vehicle ownership records, lien
filings, company financial reports, and much more.
One way to access government agencies on-line is a system called
FedWorld (sometimes referred to as the National Technical Information
Service System). FedWorld provides access to detailed information
from over 50 agencies and includes access to about 100 government
information systems. FedWorld file libraries provide on-line access
to more than 14,400 files, including the full text of selected U.S.
government publications.
Another system, Marvel from the Library of Congress, is considered to
be a one-stop source for a multitude of government material taken
from a variety of sources such as census data, congressional
information, White House documents, crime statistics, and Department
of State reports.
ACCESSING THE INTERNET
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5:2
With a computer, a telephone line, a modem, and an Internet service
provider, anyone may access the Internet. Many government
organizations establish a direct connection to the Internet and route
it through the office LAN, or local area network, to benefit the
largest number of employees. You will also need a "web browser,"
which is software that converts messages to a graphical user
interface. Two popular browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft
Internet Explorer. If you are connecting to direct dial-up systems,
you will need software that supports that function. Some Internet
service providers provide other popular browsers free with your
subscription.
Internet browsers are designed to make your search easy, but with the
tremendous amount of information and the number of systems available,
finding what you need may still be difficult. To help you to
maneuver through the system are many different "search engines" that
allow keyword and directory-type searches and respond to your search
request with an organized group or category. The various search
engines use their own unique methods to catalog information. Yahoo,
AltaVista, Web Crawler, Infoseek, Lycos, and Magellan are a few of
the search engines on the Internet.
EXAMPLES OF INTERNET FUNCTIONS
AND TOOLS
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5:3
Most people interact with the Internet using one or more tools that
are fairly standard in their functionality. These tools let you send
someone a message, retrieve a file from another computer, log onto
another network, access databases, participate in newsgroups and
forums, and so on. Two primary tools of the Internet are electronic
mail (e-mail) and the World Wide Web (WWW). Many of the functions
provided by traditional sources described in the following table are
Internet utilities that can be used in connection with the WWW.
Table 5
1: Tools of the Internet
Component Function
------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Electronic Mail (E-Mail) E-mail allows the user to send and receive electronic
messages and files.
List Server (LISTSERV) LISTSERV is an automated mailing-list distribution
system that responds to subscribers' requests to add
or delete their names to/from a particular discussion
list. An Internet user may subscribe to a LISTSERV
mailing list by sending an e-mail to the computer on
which LISTSERV is running. By addressing a message to
the list, subscribers may exchange messages with
others on the list. Any replies to messages will be
delivered to all subscribers.
Usenet & Bitnet The basic building block of Usenet is the newsgroup,
which is a collection of messages with related
themes. On other networks these would be called
conference, forums, bulletin boards, or special
interest groups. Users may access Usenet from the
Internet. On the other hand, Bitnet discussion groups
and mailing lists take place in e-mail.
The World Wide Web (WWW) The WWW links different Internet servers together all
over the world. WWW uses "hypertext links" that can
move from one reference page to another with a single
mouse command. That is, the user clicks on icons or
word groups with the mouse in order to call up the
information requested.
File Transfer Protocol FTP is a tool used to retrieve copies of files from
(FTP) other computers on the Internet to your own computer.
Telnet Telnet lets you log on to other servers on the
Internet and run a program. After log on, telnet will
provide you with a set of commands or menus to access
the functions it provides. You can "telnet" into
databases or into libraries around the world to
perform research. The commands and functions that can
be performed will vary with the particular system.
Gopher Gopher is a utility that lets you search hierarchical
menus describing Internet files. Gopher servers were
set up to provide a menu for accessing documents that
exist on different computers on the Internet in a
manner similar to the WWW. The primary difference is
that gopher servers do not provide hypertext; they
are strictly menu-driven. A gopher menu item will
take you to a document or to a list of relevant
documents. One menu can take you to another, which
can take you to Internet sites all over the world.
Veronica Veronica is a keyword search tool used to search
gopher menus and text. Veronica will search all
gopher text to find the key words you are looking
for.
Archie Archie is a database system that calls up file
libraries and finds out what they have available. You
can dial into Archie, type in a file name, and see
where on the Internet it was available. Archie
currently catalogs close to 1,000 file libraries
around the world.
Wide Area Information WAIS is a system designed for retrieving information
Server (WAIS) from networks. With WAIS, you enter a set of words
that describe what you are looking for, and WAIS digs
through whatever libraries you specify, looking for
documents that match your request.
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) IRC is computer conferencing on the Internet. There
are hundreds of IRC channels on every subject
conceivable from more than 60 countries on the Net.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEARCHING THE NET
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5:4
This is a sample Internet search for the full text of U.S. copyright
laws. This Netscape browser screen provides hundreds of choices.
The purpose of the search is to find information about violations of
copyright law and penalties assessed for such violations.
Figure 5.1: Selecting From the
Search Menu
(See figure in printed
edition.)
In figure 5.1, samples of various topics are shown in the left
column, while choices of search engines are listed closer to the
center of the page. For this particular search, we select "Legal" as
the general topic area. We also select the Yahoo search engine.
This page contains copyrighted
material used here with the
permission of the respective
copyright holders. See page 3
for more information.
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Novell<sy:O322> is a registered
trademark and the Novell
Network Symbol is a trademark
of Novell, Inc. in the United
States and other countries.
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Figure 5.2: The Search Request
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Figure 5.2 illustrates the response after we select "Legal." The
search request is "copyright law," which gives three reference
systems from which to choose. For this search, we select "Cornell
University's Legal Information Institute."
This page contains copyrighted
material used here with the
permission of the respective
copyright holders. See page 3
for more information.
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Figure 5.3: Cornell's Legal
Information Institute Web Site
(See figure in printed
edition.)
This screen appears after clicking on "Cornell University's Legal
Information Institute."
This page contains copyrighted
material used here with the
permission of the respective
copyright holders. See page 3
for more information.
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Figure 5.4: The LII Annotated
Table of Contents
(See figure in printed
edition.)
We scroll down the page and highlight "the full U.S. Code" in order
to get citations on copyright law.
This page contains copyrighted
material used here with the
permission of the respective
copyright holders. See page 3
for more information.
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Figure 5.5: The U.S. Code Web
Page
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Selecting "U.S. Code" brings up this screen.
This page contains copyrighted
material used here with the
permission of the respective
copyright holders. See page 3
for more information.
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Figure 5.6: Access Path for
Information
(See figure in printed
edition.)
We scroll down the page to select "listing of all Titles" to find the
title that specifically pertains to copyright law.
This page contains copyrighted
material used here with the
permission of the respective
copyright holders. See page 3
for more information.
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Figure 5.7: U.S. Code Titles
and Headings
(See figure in printed
edition.)
For our search, we select "Title 17 Copyrights" because we need to
know what the U.S. Code has to say about copyright law.
This page contains copyrighted
material used here with the
permission of the respective
copyright holders. See page 3
for more information.
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Figure 5.8: Chapter Within
Title 17 - Copyrights
(See figure in printed
edition.)
From this screen, we select "Chapt. 5. Copyright Infringement and
Remedies" to find information about copyright violations and
penalties assessed.
This page contains copyrighted
material used here with the
permission of the respective
copyright holders. See page 3
for more information.
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Figure 5.9: Sections Within
Chapter 5 - Copyright
Infringement and Remedies
(See figure in printed
edition.)
For our search, we want to see what the U.S. Code has to say about
criminal offenses as they relate to copyright infringement, so we
select
"5 506. Criminal offenses."
This page contains copyright
material used here with the
permission of the respective
copyright holders. See page 3
for more information.
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Figure 5.10: Full Text of 17
U.S. Code, Section 506
(See figure in printed
edition.)
Our final selection provides us the information for which we
searched.
This page contains copyright
material used here with the
permission of the respective
copyright holders. See page 3
for more information.
(See figure in printed
edition.)
INTERNET SITES PROVIDE VALUABLE
INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5:5
By accessing the Internet, investigators may gather intelligence
information about virtually any issue of interest to law enforcement.
As evidenced by the following table, such information--including
general information related to government and law enforcement and
specific information about persons, businesses, and organizations--is
available from a myriad of sources.
Table 5.2
Selected Internet Sites for
Investigative Reference
Internet Site Internet Address
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
1. Searching for Government Information
Federal
Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, http://www.sec.gov.edgarhp.htm
and Retrieval
Federal Procurement Data Center http://tsd.r3.gsa.gov/bsc/bsc_iiie.htm
IGnet http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/ignet/
ig.html
Scorpio
Library of Congress Computerized http://lcweb.loc.gov/catalog/
Catalog http://thomas.loc.gov
Congressional Record and congressional
legislation
U.S. Government Printing Office Web http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs
Site
The Federal Court Locator http://www.law.ville.edu/fed-ct/
fedcourt.html
The Federal Government Web Locator http://www.law.vill.edu/fed-agency/
fedwebloc.html
U.S. Government Internet Resources http://www.ds.internic.net/ds/gov.html
WINGS
Federal http://www.wings.gov/federal/
index.html
World Wide Web Servers (U.S. federal http://sdf.laafb.af.mil/
government) us_gov.html#us_gov_exec
State and Local
State and Local Governments http://lcweb.loc.gov/global/state/
stategov.html
The State Court Locator http://www.law.vill.edu/state-ct
The State Government Web Locator http://www.law.vill.edu/state-agency/
index.html
WINGS
State http://www.wings.gov/state/index/html
2. Searching for Persons, Businesses,
or Organizations and Detailed
Information About Them
AltaVista http://altavista.digital.com/
C | net http://www.search.com
DIALOG http://www.dialog.com/dialog/
dialog1.html
Dun & Bradstreet http://www.dnb.com
Equifax http://www.equifax.com
Experian http://www.experian.com
Infomine http://www.lib-www.ucr.edu/
govinfo.html
Infoseek Guide http://www.infoseek.com
LEXIS-NEXIS http://psweb1.lexis-nexis.com/lncc/
about.html
National Fraud Information Center http://www.fraud.org
Standard & Poor http://mcgraw-hill.com/financial-
markets/finprod.htm
Switchboard: Find People and Businesses http://www.switchboard.com
Teleport Internet Services: White and http://www.teleport.com/news/
Yellow Pages ypwp.shtml
The World EMail Directory http://worldemail.com
Trans Union http://www.tuc.com
WhoWhere?: Searches for People http://www.whowhere.com
Yahoo http://www.yahoo.com
3. Department of Justice and the FBI
The Justice Information Center http://www.ncjrs.org
Department of Justice http://justice2.usdoj.gov
FBI DECA (Development of Espionage http://www.fbi.gov/deca.htm
Counterintelligence and
Counterterrorism Awareness)
FBI Fugitive Policy http://www.fbi.gov/fugitive/
fpphome.htm
FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives http://www.fbi.gov/mostwant/
tenlist.htm
Federal Bureau of Investigation http://www.fbi.gov
Federal Bureau of Investigation http://www.fbi.gov/compcrim.htm
National Computer Crime Squad
Kidnapping http://www.fbi.gov/kidnap/violi.htm
The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin http://www.fbi.gov/leb/leb.htm
4. Other Law Enforcement and Legal
References
Criminal Justice Organizations http://www.pima.edu/DPS/organiz.htm
COPNET: Police Resource List http://www.copnet.org
Police Officer's Internet Directory http://www.officer.com
U.S. Army Criminal Investigation http://www.belvoir.army.mil/cidc/
Command index.htm
High Technology Crime Investigation http://htcia.org
Association
National Law Enforcement and http://www.nlectc.org
Corrections Technology Center
U.S. Code, Rules of Evidence, and Civil http://www.law.cornell.edu/
Procedure lii.table.html
Westlaw http://www.westpub.com/WLAWInfo
5. International Justice and United
Nations References
International Centre for Criminal Law http://www.law.ubc.ca/centres/icclr/
Reform and Criminal Justice Policy: icclr/guide/guide.html
Guide to Internet Resources in Criminal
Law and Criminal Justice
National Institute of Justice http://www.ncjrs.org/nijhome.htm
http://www.ncjrs.org/unojust
United Nations International Drug http://www.undcp.org/index.html
Control Programme
6. Official Weather Resource
Department of Commerce, National http://www.noaa.gov/index.html
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
7. Maps
MapBlaster: Map Generating Site http://www.mapblast.com
MapQuest -zoom in on any street in the http://www.mapquest.com
United States and find the best way to
drive there
8. News Resources
Deja News: News Searches of All http://www.dejanews.com
Newsgroups
FedNews -Full text speeches, news http://www.fnsg.com
releases, congressional hearings, and
Supreme Court debates.
Industrial Technology Institute http://www.iti.org/staff/ezines.html
Electronic Publications
NewsLink -An index of newspapers and http://www.newslink.org
weekly magazines
Newspage -News collected from hundreds http://www.newspage.com
of different sources, sorted by topic.
9. Document Indices
Government Information Locator Service http://info.er.usgs.gov/gils/
(GILS) index.html
Library of Congress Catalog http://lcweb.loc.gov/z3950
NARA (National Archives and Records http://www.nara.gov/nara/nail.html
Administration) Archival Information
Locator (NAIL)
National Academy Press http://www.nap.edu/readingroom
Rand http://www.rand.org
Search FinanceNet http://www.financenet.gov
10. Legislative Branch Resources
C-SPAN gopher://c-span.org
Thomas -Library of Congress Legislative http://thomas.loc.gov
Server
11. Guides and Tutorials to the
Internet
EFF's (Electronic Frontier http://www.eff.org/papers/eegtti/
Foundation's) (Extended) Guide to the eegttitiop.html
Internet
Planet Earth Home Page -Virtual Library http://www.nosc.mil/planet_earth/
-text version info_modern.html
TileNet: Indexes of Listservs by Name http://www.tile.net/tile/listserv/
and a Brief Description about.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITY ON THE INTERNET
---------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5:6
Internet users should take precaution when writing e-mail or using
any other Internet tool. Users should always assume that mail or
files sent will never be erased and may be accessed or read by
thousands. It is not recommended that you use the Internet to place
in e-mail sensitive material--such as passwords or other
information--that you would not readily make available to the public.
The material you write in e-mail is analogous to the words on a
postcard. You do not know how many people will actually read the
information.
There are secure services, however, for the use of the Internet.
These software programs generally require matching software, such as
web browsers with encryption capability, for the sender and receiver.
In addition, many implementations of electronic commerce over the
Internet provide for security. For example, many major credit card
companies offer secure electronic commerce over the Internet for
software that conforms to their secure electronic transaction
specifications.
INDEX
=========================================================== Appendix 1
Abbreviations 5-7
Abstract and title companies 64
Agriculture 16, 17, 29, 62
Agriculture, Department of 7, 17, 20, 27, 45, 49
Aircraft (See Aviation)
Alcoholic beverages 23
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Bureau of 20, 23, 24, 50, 69,
72, 73
Aliens 19, 67, 70, 71, 74
Central Index System (CIS) 67
Consular Lookout and Support System (CLASS) 67-68
El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) 19, 68-69
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 19, 20, 49, 69, 70, 98
Fingerprint Identification Records System (FIRS) 69-70
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) 19, 20, 49, 69, 70, 71,
74
Interpol Case Tracking System (ICTS) 70
Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) 71
National Alien Information System (NAILS) 71
Nonimmigrant Information System (NIIS) 74
Amtrak 33, 45, 50, 68
Art
Art Loss Register 77
forgery and theft 20, 65
Associations 58-60, 66, 78
Attorneys General 11, 12-15, 81
Autos (See Property-vehicles)
Aviation 22, 65
Aircraft ownership, pilots, repair/maintenance records 22, 65, 72,
73
Airports, civilian 22
International Air Transport Association 65
Banking (See Finance)
Better Business Bureau 65
Bonding companies 65
Border control (Also see Aliens, INS) 70, 77
Building inspection, permits, blueprints 8
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) 20, 23, 24, 50, 69, 72,
73
Bureau of Engraving and Printing 24-25, 50
Businesses
affiliates 53, 54, 56
assets 17, 20, 25, 26, 29-30, 31, 33, 80
capital structure 33, 54, 59
corporate filings 34, 80
corporate officers 33, 53, 56, 59, 79
"doing business as" (DBA) 10
financial data and reports 17, 20, 24, 26, 31, 54, 59, 78, 80
foreign representatives 53
insurance companies 52, 53, 59, 66, 77, 81
investment companies 33, 34, 35, 59
law firms 60
lobbyists 57
organization 33, 54, 56,
ownership 17, 21, 29-30, 33-34, 80
real estate companies, sales and transactions 9, 59, 80
sales and revenue 34, 78
small businesses 35
standard industrial classification 53, 55, 66
stock and securities 31, 33-35, 53-54
subsidiaries 52, 53, 54, 56
trust companies 56, 59
utilities 53, 54
Canadian Interface 67
Canadian Police Information Centre 73
Car Fax 65
Cease and desist orders 33, 38
Central Index System (CIS) 67
Commodity Futures Trading Commission 31, 45, 50
Commerce, Department of 17, 45, 49, 98
Congress, Members, districts, staff 55, 75, 84
Consular Lookout and Support System (CLASS) 67-68
Corrections (See People)
Counterfeiting 27
Courts, U. S. 39-44, 57
Credit-reporting agencies 65
Criminal history (See People)
Cultural property (See Art)
Currency, currency transactions 23-24, 25, 26, 72
Defense Central and Investigations Index 68
Defense, Department of 18, 45, 49, 68
Defense Organization Service 56
Diplomatic license plates 73
Directories
America's Corporate Families 52
American Medical Directory 55
Association Yellow Book 58
Best Insurance Reports 52
Biological and Agricultural Index 62
Congressional Directory 55
Corporate Yellow Book 56
Directories in Print 52
Directory of Companies Filing with Securities and Exchange
Commission 53
Directory of Corporate Affiliates--Who Owns Whom 53
Dun & Bradstreet's Million Dollar Directory 53
Encyclopedia of Associations 59
Federal Organization Service 56
Federal Regional Yellow Book 57
Financial Yellow Book 53
Foreign Representatives in the U. S. Yellow Book 53
Gale Directory of Databases 62
Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media 63
Government Affairs Yellow Book 57
Index Medicus 63
Index to Legal Periodicals 63
Judicial Yellow Book 57
Law Firms Yellow Book 60
List of Shipowners 61
Lloyd's Register of Ships/Lloyd's Weekly List of Alternations 61, 62
Lloyd's Voyage Record/Lloyd's Shipping Index 61
Martindale Hubbell Law Directory 60
Moody's Bank and Finance Manual 59
Moody's International Manual 54
Moody's Investors Services 54
Moody's News Report 59
Municipal Yellow Book 57
National Directory of Law Enforcement Administrators, Prosecutors,
Correctional Institutions, and Related Agencies 61
National Trade and Professional Associations in the United States 59
News Media Yellow Book 63
Predicasts Funk and Scott Index, United States 54
Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature 64
Register of International Shipowning Groups 61
Register of Offshore Units, Submersibles and Underwater Systems 61
Register of Ships/Weekly List of Alterations 61, 62
Shipping Index 61
Standard & Poor's Corporation Records 54
Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives
54
State Yellow Book 58
The New York Times Index 64
Thomson Bank Directory 60
Voyage Record 62
Who's Who Series 58
Driver license (See People)
Driver history (See People)
Drugs (See Narcotics)
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 19, 20, 24, 49, 69, 70, 71
El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) 19, 68-69, 71
Electronic data base Internet addresses 97
Electronic data bases 67-83, 96
Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) 29
Farm Credit Administration 29, 46
Federal contracting 32
Federal Procurement Data Center (FPDC) 69, 97
Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement
Programs 71
Federal courts (see Courts, U. S. )
Federal Aviation Administration 22, 49, 69
Federal Bureau of Investigation 19, 20, 24, 49, 69, 70, 72, 98
Federal Communications Commission 32, 46, 50
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 29-30, 46, 50
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 18, 49
Federal government agencies
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Bureau of 20, 23-24, 50, 69, 72, 73
Amtrak 33, 45, 50, 68
Agriculture, Department of 17, 20, 27, 45, 49
Commerce, Department of 17, 45, 49, 98
Commodities Futures Trading Commission 31, 45, 50
Defense, Department of 18, 45, 49, 68
Drug Enforcement Administration 19, 20, 24, 49, 69, 70, 71
Engraving and Printing, Bureau of 24, 50
Farm Credit Administration 29, 46
Federal Aviation Administration 22, 49, 69
Federal Bureau of Investigation 19, 20, 70-72, 98
Federal Communications Commission 32, 46, 50
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 29-30, 46, 50
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 18, 49
Federal Highway Administration 23
Federal Maritime Commission 32, 46
Food and Drug Administration 49
General Accounting Office 38, 46, 51
General Services Administration 32, 46, 50, 71
Government Printing Office 38, 46, 51, 53
Health and Human Services, Department of 18, 47, 49
Housing and Urban Development, Department of 47, 49
Immigration and Naturalization Service, U. S. 19, 20, 49, 69-71,
74
Inspectors general 44-49
Internal Revenue Service 20, 25-26, 50, 69
Justice, Department of 19, 27, 47, 49, 72, 81, 98
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 32, 47
National Credit Union Administration 31, 47, 50
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (See Amtrak)
Nuclear Regulatory Commission 33, 48, 50
Securities and Exchange Commission 33-35, 48, 50, 53, 75, 81
Small Business Administration 35, 48, 50
Social Security Administration 35, 36, 50, 48
State, Department of 22, 48-49, 67-70, 72, 81
Transportation, Department of 22, 48, 49
Treasury, Department of the 23-28, 49-50, 77
U. S. Coast Guard 22, 49, 69, 70
U. S. Customs Service 26, 50, 69-70, 72, 77, 81
U. S. Department of Agriculture 17, 20, 27, 45, 49
U. S. General Accounting Office 38, 46, 51
U. S. Marshals Service 20, 24, 49, 69, 72
U. S. National Central Bureau - INTERPOL 20, 67, 70, 72, 77, 81
U. S. Secret Service 20, 27-28, 50, 69, 72, 81
Veterans Affairs, Department of 28, 49, 50
Federal prisons 76
Federal Highway Administration 23
Federal Maritime Commission 32, 46
Federal Organization Service 56
Federal Procurement Data Center (FPDC) 67, 69
Federal Reserve System 30, 46, 50
Finance
Banks, savings and loans, credit unions 28, 53, 60
Bureau of the Public Debt 24, 50
Currency 23-26, 72
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) 29-30, 46, 50
Federal Reserve System 30, 46, 50
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) 24-25, 50
financial data and reports 29, 31, 52-54
financial institutions and key executives 59-60
Financial Management Service (FMS) 25, 50
U. S. Savings Bond Series 24
Financial crimes 24-25, 26, 27, 73, 78
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) 24-25, 50
Fingerprint Identification Records System 69-70
Firearms (Also see Property) 23, 68, 71-73
ATF 20, 23, 24, 50, 69, 72, 73
Dealers 23, 73
FBI 19, 20, 24, 49, 69, 70, 71, 72, 98
Importers 22, 23, 26, 73
manufacturers 23
National Tracing Center 73
NCIC 71-72, 79
Food and Drug Administration 49
Food stamps 17, 27
Foreign fugitives (See People)
Foreign representatives 53
Fugitives (See People)
General Accounting Office 38, 46, 51
General Services Administration 32, 46, 50, 71
Government Printing Office 38, 46, 51, 53, 97
Hazardous material 73
Health and Human Services, Department of 18, 47, 49
Housing and Urban Development, Department of 47, 49
Interagency Border Inspection System 77
International fugitives 19, 20, 70, 72, 76
Interstate Identification Index 70
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) 19, 20, 49, 69, 70, 71,
74
Importers 29
Income tax 16, 25
Individuals (See People)
Inspectors general 44-49
Insurance fraud 66, 81-82
Insurance companies 52, 53, 56, 81
Internal Revenue Service 20, 25-26, 50, 69
International Air Transport Association 65
International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR) 65
International fugitives (See People)
Internet 49-52, 84-100
International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) 20
Interpol Case Tracking System (ICTS) 70
Interstate Identification Index (III) 70
Investment companies 34, 35, 59
Joint Maritime Information Element (JMIE) 70
Judges 39, 57
Justice, Department of 19, 27, 47, 49, 72, 81, 98
Labor, Department of 20-22
Labor organizations 20, 21, 58, 59
Labor unions 20, 21, 58, 59
Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) 71
Law firms 60
Local government (See State and local government)
License plates (See Vehicles)
Middle Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network
74
Mid-States Organized Crime information Center 74
Military personnel 18
Money (See Banks, Finance)
Mortgages 9, 64
Municipalities (See State and local government)
Narcotics 19, 20, 23-25, 26, 68-69, 70, 71, 74, 75, 76
Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Information System (NADDIS) 71
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 32, 47
National Alien Information Lookout System (NAILS) 71
National Association of Insurance Commissioners 66
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) 27, 81
National Credit Union Administration 31, 47, 50
National Crime Information Center (NCIC) 71-72
National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) 81, 98
National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) 72, 81
National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) 72-73
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (See Amtrak)
National Tracing Center 73
National White Collar Crime Center 73
New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN) 74
Nonimmigrant Information System (NIIS) 74
Nuclear material and equipment 33
Nuclear Regulatory Commission 33, 48, 50
Parole/Probation (See People)
People
addresses, current and previous 79
aliens (Also see listing on page 107) 19, 67, 70, 71, 74, 102
banking information 28
bankruptcy 10, 40
biographies, professional 55-58
birth date 9, 10, 15, 55-58
birthplace 9, 10, 15, 55-58
bonding companies 65
children, missing/exploited 81
corrections 16, 73
court records of civil and criminal cases 8-9, 10, 39-44
credit information 78, 79, 80
criminal history 20, 71-73, 74, 76
death 8, 9
divorce 8
doctors 10, 55
driver history 15, 72
driver's licenses 15, 72
employment 9, 11, 20-21, 65, 82
foreign fugitives 20, 72, 73
fugitives and wanted persons 20, 72, 73, 77, 98
judgments 10, 65
liens 8-10, 64
marriage records 10, 15
missing persons 72
name changes 8, 82
occupation 10, 15, 82
parole/probation 9, 74
passport records 22
People Tracker 79
Phone Fiche 66
security investigations 68
sex offenders 73
signatures 8, 9
social security number 9, 16, 35-36, 82
social security number issuance, designated geographic areas 37
stock ownership 33-34, 54
tax 11, 25, 40
unemployment compensation 16, 20
veteran status 10, 18, 28
vital statistics 15
Who's Who 58
wills 10
Powers of attorney 9
Probate indexes 8
Property
aircraft ownership, repair and maintenance records 22, 65, 72, 73
art forgery and theft 20, 65, 77
blueprints and floorplans 8
building permits, inspections 8
construction costs 8
firearms (See listing on page 107)
judgments, garnishments, chattel mortgages, other liens 10
legal description 11
real estate taxes 11
sale and transfer 9, 10, 11
securities 16, 24, 31, 33-34, 53, 54, 59, 69, 75
values and assessments 11, 79-80
vehicles 15, 19, 23, 65, 72, 73, 74, 81
vessels 19, 22, 23, 32, 61-62, 70, 73, 76
wills, inheritances, and gifts 8, 10
Public Affairs Information Service 64
Railroads (See Amtrak)
Real estate companies 59
Real estate transactions 9
Regional Information Sharing System (RISS) 74
Regional Organized Crime Information Center (ROCIC) 75
Rocky Mountain Information Network 75
Scorpio 75
Securities 16, 24, 31, 33-34, 53, 54, 59, 69, 75
Securities and Exchange Commission 33-35, 48, 50, 53, 75, 81
Securities Information Center 75-76
Sex offenders (See People)
Shipping 22-23, 32, 61-62, 71, 72-73, 76
arrivals, departures; docks, floating, dry, and wet; freight
forwarding
activities, marine insurance companies and associations; offshore
drilling rigs; ownership; Register of International Shipowning
Groups;
Register of Offshore Units, Submersibles and Underwater Systems;
Register of Ships; ship movement; shipbuilders; Shipping Index;
terminals; tonnage
Small Business Administration 35, 48, 50
Social Security Administration 35, 36, 48, 50
Social security numbers 9, 29, 35-36, 82
South Pacific Islands Criminal Intelligence Network (SPICIN) 76
Standard industrial classification 53, 55, 66
State and local government
Attorneys general 11, 12-15
building inspector 8
chiefs of police 61
consumer complaints 11, 31, 65
coroner 8, 9
corrections 16, 73
county sheriffs 61
court clerk 8-9
district attorneys 61
executives and legislative officials 57-58
health department 9
licensing 15-16
liquor commission 16
lottery commission 16
motor vehicle administration 15
natural resources 16
property taxes 11
public records 78-79
recorder 9, 10
registrar of voters 10
regulatory agencies 10, 15-16
surveyor 11
tax assessment and collection 11
utilities 16
vital statistics 15
welfare commission 11
Stock
consumer complaints 34
financial reports 33-34, 53, 54, 69
registration 33, 53, 54, 69, 75
transactions 34, 53, 54, 69, 75
Subsidiaries 53-54, 56, 59
Terrorism 65, 72, 76
Trade and professional associations 59
Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS) 77
Treasury, Department of the 23-28, 49, 50, 77
Trust companies 53, 59
U. S. Coast Guard 22, 49, 69, 70
U. S. Customs Service 26, 50, 69, 70, 72, 77, 81
U. S. Department of Agriculture 17, 20, 27, 45, 49
U. S. General Accounting Office 38, 46, 51
U. S. Marshals Service 20, 24, 49, 69, 72
U. S. National Central Bureau 20, 67, 70, 72, 77, 81
U. S. Secret Service 20, 27-28, 50, 69, 72, 81
Utilities 16, 18, 53, 54
Vehicles (See Property)
Vessels (See Property)
Veterans Affairs, Department of 28, 49, 50
Vital statistics 15
Wanted persons (See People- fugitives)
Weapons (See Firearms)
Western States Information Network 75
White collar crime 73, 76
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