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.

This is a five part guide to sources of information about people, property, business, and finance. The five parts are: local and state governments; federal agencies; directories, reference works, and other sources; electronic databases; and the Internet. The guide includes an index and Internet addresses where applicable.

OSI-92-1 Investigators' Guide to Sources of Information

Investigators will find this Guide to be useful as both a locator of new and imaginative sources of information, and as a reminder of sources that can be overlooked. Contains sources of information, such as various offices within federal, state, and local governments, and lists the types of information these sources provide. Licensing and regulatory agencies at all levels of government are excellent sources. Divided into and general categories: business, finance, people and property. In addition to the 4 general categories is a section on electronic data bases and a bibliography.