Missing Persons
Personal Investigative Services Specialising In Finding Missing Persons.
Marrett Investigations Australia (MIA) specialise in all types of missing person cases.
While hundreds of people are reported missing every week in Australia, the majority are located within a relatively short amount of time, usually without any real need for investigation.
Missing person cases can be recent, within hours or days, or termed cold cases where years or even many decades have passed. In many cold cases a fresh investigation can uncover numerous new leads previously missed or even ignored by the original detectives. While time can be a crippling factor due to lost evidence and witnesses, it can also be the passing of time that loosens lips or provides investigators with new forensic techniques previously thought impossible.
Tracking down missing persons does not always involve foul play or mystery. It is common for people to deliberately take off for a variety of reasons such as family issues, mental health, legal issues, debt or even as a result of influence by others.
Why Choose MIA
Locating missing persons, whether it be historical cold cases, recently missing persons, historical locates (Find My Family) or skip tracing, every investigation or case is treated with the utmost professionalism and discreetness.
Our commitment at MIA is to find the answers to each and every case and we achieve this through tenacious investigations and proven experience, ultimately resulting in our high success rate.
The main reason people contact MIA to assist them in missing persons cases is that their own enquiries have proved fruitless or hit a dead end. We have the training and experience to know where to look and what resources can be utilised. This includes information sources that are not available to the general public and having a wide network of colleagues and specialist contacts when required.
Missing persons cases are not just a job for me, but a passion. I often spend three to four times the quoted hours allocated for an investigation as I refuse to let go of a case until it is solved. When searching for lost family members I know what it means to the Client and I never want to make that call to them stating the investigation has been exhausted or unresolved.
Types Of Missing Person
Find My Family
Whether searching for loved ones, lost relatives, biological parents, adoptions, siblings, long lost friends or even a childhood sweetheart, MIA can help you find their whereabouts.
Skip Tracing
Skip tracing is a service involving investigating persons or assets, using professional database searches, open-source intelligence techniques and discreet enquiries.
Other Services
We can assist you with a range of investigative services outside locating missing persons.
“I recently engaged Damian to find my biological farther who I hadn’t seen since I was a young child. I was very apprehensive at first, being uncertain of how things would pan out. Damian made the whole experience so incredibly easy. He is very experienced and was able to give me examples of similar cases he’d work on and what the likely outcomes would be. This really helped to manage my expectations. He was sensitive to my needs and provided invaluable advice. Damian is an excellent listener and cares for his clients. He was able to find my biological father and generate a report within a couple of days of me contacting him. Damian also suggested the best course of action in making contact with my biological father. He managed this process himself which took the stress out of it. Damian is a kind and caring soul and I couldn’t recommend him more highly to anyone searching for a lost family member. Damian changed my life and I’m incredibly grateful to him.”
Lee H
Investigating A Missing Person
There are numerous privacy laws that vary in each state and territory. MIA is fully aware of the legislation relating to legal searches and access to records searches. All cases and Client information are treated with the utmost discretion.
Before
We start by consulting with the client and obtaining all relevant information. We then investigate utilising all the resources we have at our disposal.
During
Once the Subject has been located, provide the client with a detailed report of investigations conducted and information obtained. This includes any relevant documentation obtained throughout the investigation.
After
Advise, mediate and assist in the reunion or reconnection of the Subject and Client, depending on the Clients instructions.
Finding the right Investigator.
“Don’t settle on the first Investigator you speak with unless they were referred to you”
We’ll first have a discussion of the service you’re after. Don’t be shy to ask questions about the process and time frames.
At MIA, every investigation or case is treated with the utmost professionalism and discreetness. We believe that the more transparent both parties are, the better the outcome will be. However, we do often have success with very limited information received from the Client.
Discussing fees and costs.
“If you are asked to pay the full estimate up front before an investigation is commenced, find another investigator.”
There is no set hourly rate or cost structure in the PI Industry. Most experienced investigators will give you a fixed estimate to locate family and friends depending on the information you can provide them.
The estimate should include all their expenses so never fall into the trap of an hourly rate and/or on going expenses.
MIA requests 50% of an estimate upfront and the balance on a successful locate. A confident and proven investigator knows his success rate and will always back themselves in on a successful locate.
Gathering Information.
Even though many experienced investigators can achieve results with little or limited information, the more you can provide can determine the cost of the estimate and the time frames results are received. Examples include:
Subjects full name
D.O.B / Birth Certificate
Known areas to have resided in the past
Known family members / associates / partners / employment history
Known phone numbers / email or other details past or present
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to find a missing person?
Most Historical Locate Investigations fall between $800 - $1200. However only 50% of an estimate is required and the balance on a successful result.
What if the person I am looking for has passed away?
Unfortunately a deceased locate is considered a successful Locate.
How long does it take?
MIA work on a turnover of two week unless unforeseen circumstances arise and the Client is informed of any possible delay.
What if the person I am looking for is dangerous?
Any information revealed during an investigation that may be relevant to the safety of a client moving forward would be passed onto the Client. We are working for the Client not the Subject.
What is your success rate?
98% of Historical Locates are successful.
What if I find my missing relative on my own during the investigation?
We request that once we commence the investigation that Clients reframe from continuing any search. This is due to overlapping or hampering methods put in place.