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Some people are terrible liars. They stammer and give inconsistent replies to your questions. But not everyone is that openly dishonest. Some people are better at lying than others, which makes it harder for you to spot when you’re being sold a yarn.

So how do you know when to trust a person and when to call them out on a lie? The following are seven signs that you are being lied to:

1. The Person Keeps Redirecting Your Questions

Generally, when people tell the truth, they’re more direct in their response to accusations. They’ll give you a straight answer and then do their best to clear the issue. They may even voluntarily offer proof of their innocence. But if you ask a question and the person merely asks you other questions or tries to change the subject, there’s a very good chance the person is trying to wiggle his or her way out of a lie.

This evasion is a delay tactic to buy enough time to construct a believable lie. Watch out for that. If a person keeps redirecting your questions instead of giving you a straight “Yes or No” answer, that person is most likely lying.

2. You Hear a Lot of Nothing

You ask a question. They laugh. Make a joke. Tell you it’s a funny story. They do everything but give you a direct answer. When that happens, be on your guard. Deflection is a common strategy used by liars as they try to change the subject and avoid the confrontation. If you ask a question and the person responds with a long, unrelated preamble, you may be about to walk into a lie.

3. The Person Becomes Overly Defensive

Denial is a common reaction when an innocent person is accused, which is why liars will sometimes attempt to deny your accusations. The catch, though, is that because they’re acting, their denials tend to be over the top. A trapped liar may become very loud, get physical, or make a pointless scene to draw unnecessary attention. Liars may yell at you, spout some babble about how they don’t believe you don’t trust them, and walk away in mock fury.

It’s all an act. If a person becomes overly defensive after you ask a question, there’s a lie hovering around somewhere.

4. They Distance Themselves

Liars try to avoid confrontation by attempting to put distance between themselves and whoever is questioning them. For instance, a person may turn to walk away after you ask a question or make up some excuse to leave the room. If the person can’t leave, he or she may put an object between the two of you as a sort of physical buffer. All of these are signs that the person has something to hide.

5. Deep, Heavy Breathing

Pinocchio was partially onto something. A liar’s nose doesn’t exactly get longer, but it does begin to work overtime. When people are lying, their breathing becomes focused and heavy. That’s partially because they’re trying to provide their brains with more oxygen and energy to create the lies. Lying takes a lot more effort than telling the truth, hence the need for extra energy. If a person begins to breathe deeply when you confront them with a question, they may be about to spin you a tale.

6. Their Eyes Turn Left

This is a popular technique used by detectives and law enforcement officers. Watch the eyes. It is an involuntary reaction tied to the brain’s neural activity. When people lie, their eyes typically veer to the left as they access the creative part of the brain, which is located on the left side. But when they tell the truth, their eyes flicker to the right, which is where the recall part of the brain is located.

7. They Break Out in a Sweat

Watch out for those beady brows. The body doesn’t handle lies very well and will display this in some way. Some people begin to sweat when they are under pressure or nervous about something. If someone is in the hot seat and suddenly develops sweaty palms and armpits, it may be because he or she has something to hide.

You’ve Spotted a Liar—Now What?

So what do you do when you spot a lie? You have three major options: you can ignore the lie, point out the inaccuracy, or stay silent but do your own investigation. Of course, your actions will depend on the lie. If it is something trivial, then you could just ignore it. But if someone lies to you about something important, that’s a different matter. For instance, if your partner gets home late and tells you he’s been at work when, in truth, he has been somewhere else, that’s something that is too big to ignore.

In this situation, your best approach would be to conduct an investigation to get the proof. Very few people own up to their lies unless they are presented with cold, hard evidence. Investigations are even more important if you plan to take legal action against the liar. If this is your intention, try to avoid tipping your hand to the other party until you have the proof you need.

Of course, none of these signs serve as foolproof confirmation that a person is lying. For instance, people may sweat because the weather is simply warm, and a person may be nervous around you because he is shy. Still, if a person is displaying several of the signs above and your gut is throwing off alarm signals, there is a very good chance that you may be staring at a liar.

When people talk about background checks, they’re usually referring to employees. You’ll find bosses running background checks on their employees and parents running checks on their nannies. But not many people bother to run checks on their neighbors, even when they have reasons to be concerned. Most people simply consider it unimportant. That is a mistake.

The 2013 Boston Marathon bombing is a good example of why it is important to pay attention to your neighbors. Prior to the fatal events, Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his brother Dzhokhar lived undetected in the local community. They interacted with their neighbors, visited the local gym and ate at the local restaurants.

But according to investigators, in the weeks prior to the attack, beneath the façade of living normal lives, the two brothers were actually actively engaged building bombs. The bombs were made in Tamerlan’s home, where he lived with his wife and child. They lifted the ideas for the bomb from postings made by Islamic militants. Tamerlan spent a large part of his day tinkering in his garage as he perfected plans of building a bomb using simple materials around the house.

When pictures of both brothers were released online, many people were stunned. In addition to this, there were even subliminal clues that should have tipped off neighbors to the fact that all was not well with these individuals. They drove flashy BMWs while in college, held no jobs and had license plates that insinuated they were terrorists – reading “Terrorista #1.”

On top of that, they spent their spare time both working on their vehicles and on jihadist websites. While none of this is against the law, slowly, each clue began to add up – showing us that these were no ordinary students.

So Why Should You Perform a Background Check On Your Neighbor?

If you are looking for a reason to conduct background check on your neighbors, consider some of the following benefits:

To Keep Your Property Safe

Wouldn’t you want to know if your neighbor had a criminal history tied to robbery or grand theft auto? With a background check, you can. If you suspect that your neighbor isn’t exactly as he appears, a background check will help you confirm or disprove your suspicions. And if your hunch should pan out correctly, you can take steps towards protecting yourself.

If you know your neighbor has a criminal record of breaking and entering, the next time you travel out of town, you’ll make sure your windows and doors are properly locked. You’ll also be less likely to hand over your keys to your neighbor to feed the cat or to handle other mundane chores.

Of course, we don’t promote running background checks just to be “another nosy neighbor.” But if you fear for your life, worry something doesn’t add up or fear that there is trouble brewing next store, a background check can either give you important information or put your mind at ease. Otherwise, you could be causing trouble for both you and the person you are running a background check on.

To Protect Your Family

Law enforcement agencies have records of sexual offenders, listing their first and last names, as well as their locations. A quick check will reveal if any of your neighbors fall within this group. If you want to go the extra step, there are tons of websites online that you can visit yourself to determine who the sex offenders are in your neighborhood. If you find any, be cautious that both you and your children know what they look like so that you can always stay one step ahead.

Granted, you may not want to run background checks on everyone on your street. But you should run checks on the people that your family spends time with. For instance, if your kids are constantly going to play in the yard of a man down the road who seems nice, find out how safe he really is. You don’t want to leave your family around a neighbor who has a known history of physical and sexual abuse.

To Protect Your Pets

Yes pets. Just because injuries or harm come to pets – and not people – doesn’t make it less a crime. Studies show that most killers begin by attacking animals before graduating to humans.

For instance, in 2011, Luka Magnotta posted videos of himself killing a cat. Despite the public outrage, little was done. Seven months later, he drugged, stabbed, hacked and then ate a man, and then posted the video online. If you have a nasty neighbor who is constantly kicking at your pets, flinging objects at them or lashing out at them, perform a background check. You may find that he has a history you do not like. Besides that, these are signs that you are dealing with someone who might possibly be mentally ill or have some sort of mental disorder.

Working with a Private Investigator

If you are going to conduct a background check, do not use Google or any online data service. Criminals have become quite good at hiding their digital footprints, making the best way to conduct a background check working with a PI agency. It’s fairly easy for a criminal to “fake” what you found on the internet regarding them and additionally, they can just as easily hire an online reputation manager to delete the negative information about them online.

Private investigators have access to many useful resources. In addition to running criminal background checks, a PI can check possible name changes, social security fraud, and other fraudulent activities. Many times individuals are dating a person and quickly find out (after hiring a private investigator) that they own two different homes – and are living two different lives! If you do discover that you have a criminal on your street, a PI will be in the best position to advise you on how you can protect yourself.

Signs to Watch Out For

So how do you know when to be worried? Knowing what to watch out for can help you spot a possible risk before the danger present itself. There are thousands of reasons why you should consider performing a background check on your neighbor. However, if you have mixed feelings about doing it, the following are few red flags that you should watch out for:

• Your neighbor drives around in an odd, nondescript van with blocked out windows.
• Your neighbor spends most of his time indoors and does not appear to have an active job and appears to be a healthy individual.
• The animals around your neighborhood seem to disappear or keep turning up dead.
• You notice an odd smell whenever you walk by a neighbor’s house.
• The neighbor’s apartment has screened windows and unusual bars.
• You hear odd noises at night.
• There appears to be an abnormally high number of dogs around your neighbor’s house or yard.
• You keep catching your neighbors spying on you.
• Your gut sends out an alarm signal every time you run across your neighbors.

These red flags are not confirmations that your neighbor is a criminal. Nevertheless, they are usually a good indication that your neighbor is up to no good. Do not forget to involve the police. In addition to background checks, you should always report any suspicious activity to the police. For instance, if you notice an odd smell coming from your neighbor’s yard, call it in in order to protect yourself, your family and your neighborhood.

Your personal safety is important. There is no reason to expose yourself to possible risk – not when you can avoid it. Criminals are not kept in jail forever. To fight the current population crisis of prisons, non-violent inmates are now being given shorter sentences which put them back on the streets – whether or not they’ve been fully rehabilitated.

If you have any suspicions about your neighbor, run a background check. It is important that you know exactly who you are living next door to. Your fears may be groundless, but at least you will get the confirmation needed to help you sleep better at night.

Google prides itself on being an innovator and this is no idle boast. In the last decade, the company has established a reputation for constantly improving on modern technologies.

Google wasn’t the world’s first search engine, but today it is undoubtedly the most popular. The same is true for many of its other products. Gmail is one the top five email services, Android is one of the top operating systems for mobile platforms, and Google+ is now listed within the pantheon of social media gods – particularly for businesses and video “hangouts.” So it is not surprising to find that Google Glass is set to become the most talked about addition to the digital world.

The Google Glass

In case you missed it, Google Glass is the company’s impressive take on the future of mobile computing. Designed like a pair of glasses, the device is essentially a wearable computer, which is fitted with a head-mounted display. From a distance, it looks like a stylish take on the monocle.

Google Glass is equipped with various innovative features. For instance, it supports voice commands and offers hand-free controls that allow users to interact with the operating system while on the go. In addition to this, Glass comes equipped with a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, light sensing technology, and a camera capable of shooting videos in strong 720p resolutions.

The Security Threat

Google Glass may have obvious potential; but it also brings up several security issues. One of these is how susceptible the device is to hacking. Beyond the device’s aesthetic, Google Glass is essentially a computer – one with no authentication system or PIN. This makes it incredibly easy for hackers to break into and “take control” of the device. One can only wonder if Google will implement retina scans to secure its users privacy.

The dangers to this security oversight are obvious. As an example, this could give hackers unlimited access to your phone records and to any other device that is linked to the glass. Hackers would also be able to monitor and “see” everything that you do.

The potential applications to corporate espionage are chilling. If you were to read a sensitive work document, hackers may be able to lift it by piggybacking off the glasses’ video feed. Hackers would also be able to record your daily routine, catch your password and learn things about you that no one else would other know.

Their surveillance range would not be restricted to just visual cues. As mentioned earlier, Google Glass is designed to recognize voice commands and comes with a sensitive microphone that picks up even the slightest sounds. Hackers can, therefore, listen in on your conversation and any other conversation around you. In fact, the only thing that you would not be giving away would be your thoughts. It is a potential security nightmare.

According to security estimates, it would take roughly ten minutes for any skilled hacker to break into the “rooted” operating system that ships with Google. In just a few moments, your computer could be invaded without your knowledge. While this could be a huge asset to the private investigation field, it could be a nightmare for everyday users.

Still, it is worth noting that users of the Google Glass can also adapt the device to security ploys of their own. For example, a disgruntled employee could record a sensitive business meeting and instantly upload it to the web without leaving the office. Google Glass could also be used to spy on people and capture incriminating photographs without the subject’s knowledge.

All of these different risks have led many to call for a ban or temporary halt on the production of the Glass. There is even an ongoing petition aimed at the White House, asking that the device be banned. So far, the government has yet to respond.

Face Recognition Apps

Another contentious area is that of face recognition. If this feature were enabled with the device, it would allow the wearer to instantly identify the people around them, in effect invading their privacy. Casinos have already pointed out that the use of Glass would make it easier for people to cheat and have therefore banned its use (even though the device is yet to be publicly released).

These security concerns have a lot of merit. Reacting to the general opinion, Google has announced that it has no plans to release integrated face recognition apps with the Glass, which may offer some relief to most people. However, the company’s stance could easily change in the future. Additionally, there could be add-on apps created by hackers or computer gurus that easily allows one to avoid these safety precautions.

The list of potential security risks goes on and on – couples spying on each other, ex-lovers stalking one another, employees spying on their bosses, and even cheating within the classrooms.

There is little doubt that the ability of people to almost seamlessly access the web and transfer information is going to force a revision of many of the current security measures and protocols in place. Already, Google is working on ways to curb or reduce the potential security conflicts that the Glass might cause. As an example, the company has updated the current Glass terms to include policies on gambling, hate speech and the use of explicit material. These rules are vague though, and companies are bound to get around them.

Some critics have tried to argue around the current fears. Some have pointed out that, like computers, Google Glass is likely to come with some lit indicator that shows when the camera and microphone are active. However, such checks can easily be missed. Another idea that is currently being fielded is the inclusion of a rubber patch, which slips over the camera when it is not being used to prevent unauthorized live feeds.

Depending on who you talk to, the Google Glass is either the next greatest invention or fad that is doomed to fail. Regardless of what might occur, one thing is certain – with the debut of the Google Glass drawing near, things in the digital world are likely to become quite a bit more interesting.

Plans were already underway for months, but in May 2013, the U.S Senate voted to speed up the implementation of airport fingerprinting. Under the new bill, foreigners entering and departing from US seaports and airports will have their pictures taken and fingerprints scanned. The new measure is an effort to increase the nation’s border security, as current measures are restricted to only foreigners as they enter the country.

The legislation calls for the urgent installation of the new biometric recording system at the ten busiest airports within the next twenty-four months. Once in place, it will affect foreigners from all but 28 countries (most of which are European).

According to a Homeland Security spokesperson, this new drive allows custom officials to collect and compare inkless fingerprints against the country’s national database for a possible match with any known terrorist – a process that is expected to take less than 20 seconds.

The new finger printing system may not completely insulate the nation from external threat, but it will certainly make it much more difficult for criminals and terrorists to sneak in and out of the country. It will also help the government track foreigners and illegal immigrants more effectively.

The data compiled through this screening process will be securely stored in a database, accessible only to law enforcement officials on what is being described as a “need to know” basis. But some people are already questioning the legitimacy behind the idea…

The Question of Rights Violation

Will the new fingerprinting violate individual rights from an ethics standpoint? Some people seem to think so. In a government where parts of the senate is proposing increased censorship measures on the internet, the latest introduction is seen by some as yet another incursion into the fundamental rights of the citizens.

In the past, fingerprinting was only restricted to criminals and individuals who had fallen on the wrong side of the law. However, with this new measure, law enforcement agencies will now have access to a database that contains the information of millions of foreigners who live around the world. In addition to fingerprints, the digital data is likely to include such information as the individual’s name, date of birth and legal status.

To the government that is insignificant, but to others, this amounts to handing law agencies a treasure trove that they do not need – or, even worse, one that they will misuse.

Another concern raised by critics is the efficiency of the fingerprinting technology. Current estimates put the accuracy of automatic fingerprinting at 90%. In many cases, the system has difficulties getting clear fingerprints, which may compromise the very security that it is designed to protect. Critics argue that forcing travelers to have their fingerprint taken may end up making most people to feel like criminals.

The US is not the first country to introduce this measure. In fact, given the sensitive position that the country finds itself in the war against terrorism, it is behind other developing nations in implementing this particular technology. In 2008, the British government launched the use of airport fingerprinting at the Heathrow Airport. In addition to foreigners, the law also applied to British citizens exiting the country. This security measure was accompanied by passenger photographs, which were then added to the database.

Like the U.S, the initial introduction of this new security measure generated a lot of controversy, with many complaining about the perceived violation of their rights. However, as time went by, the general discomfort eased and the security measure is now grudgingly accepted by most. Part of this was due to initiatives introduced by the British government. To encourage the acceptance of fingerprinting, the government offered incentives and bonuses for citizens who voluntarily offered to be fingerprinted at the airport.

So Are There Any Benefits to Fingerprinting?

Does airport fingerprinting offer any benefits? The honest answer is yes – several in fact. As security experts have correctly pointed out, without these biometric checks in place, stopping the movement of illegal immigrants or criminals becomes extremely difficult. Criminals can (and do) bypass border controls at airports by altering their appearance. In some cases, wanted criminals have been able to avoid capture even with custom officials on high alert.

Even the critics of the proposed fingerprinting system agree that something assertive has to be done about tightening the nation’s borders. A few have suggested a modification of the current fingerprinting system, where, instead of fingerprinting every passenger, immigration officials can simply routinely fingerprint passengers whenever they look suspicious. However, this approach may lead to reported cases of profiling – something that the current government is trying to prevent.

The Near Future

Regardless of the issues raised by some, it is highly unlikely that airport fingerprinting will be scrapped. Instead, what is more likely is that it will go on to become adopted by other countries. Within the next three decades – especially with the recent introduction of biometric passports – the world may be connected by a global database, capable of tracking travelers as they move between countries. In the end, what matters most will be the results.

There is no denying the benefits offered by this new legislation. At the very least, the proposed legislation would give the millions of immigrants the opportunity to become citizens, as – in addition to the crack-down on airport security – the legislation also proposes the creation of a new visa program specifically designed for low-skilled workers. It may not be the most effective security measure available, but the biometric screen appears to be the best option we have right now.

Do you think that background checks on nannies are unimportant? No? You’re not alone. Studies show that most employers fail to run background checks on the people they hire. This is despite the fact that the media is constantly rife with news about families who have been victims of crimes committed by their nannies.

Take the case of Lucia Hwong Gordon, a philanthropist and composer. Early in April, Gordon traveled with her kids on a vacation. But when she returned, she noticed that some of her jewelry was missing. This included a special ruby and diamond necklace, some of her family heirlooms and her kids’ jewelry. Since there was no sign of a break-in, Gordon asked the nanny, Raquel Santos if she had come across any of the missing jewelry, at which point Santos broke into tears and confessed that she had sold them to two different pawn shops. Gordon visited both shops and – sure enough – her items were on display.

Protect Your Home

The story illustrates how vulnerable you can be when you let a complete stranger into your home. This doesn’t mean you should never hire anyone – that would be almost impossible.

However, it does mean that you should never hire people simply based on their “word,” especially if you plan to leave them around your family. It is a common misassumption that every nanny agency carefully vets the people it has on its list. Although some agencies do, most do not – which means you may unwittingly hire a nanny who has a criminal history. This brings up another interesting point in Gordon’s story…

Even after Gordon had found that the nanny had stolen things, she refused to report her to the agency or the police – possibly because she didn’t want to get the nanny into any more trouble. Then, as the weeks went by, she began to notice that even more things were missing. At this point, she turned to her friend, reality star Ramona Singer, for advice. Singer did not waste a second telling her what to do. She advised her to call the cops instantly. After a sting operation with the cops, Gordon recovered most of her belongings, including several things that she hadn’t even realized were stolen.

Gordon’s story happens every day, but these stories do not always end the same way. Most people are upset when they discover that their nannies have done wrong, but less than 50% of victims actually do something about it. In some cases, the family simply chooses the least difficult option, which is to let the nanny go without pressing charges. Unfortunately, this approach simply leaves the nanny free to work for another unsuspecting family where she can do the same thing.

The Importance of Nanny Checks

Nanny background checks are vital. Carrying out this simple task this will significantly reduce your family’s exposure to threats. Even if the agency reports that it has conducted a background check, do a check of your own or ask for a copy of the report. The following are some of the steps that you can take during the vetting process:

Use References

Before you hire a nanny, you should – at the very least – request references and then contact them. Sometimes, speaking to a former employee may reveal things about a nanny’s past or work ethic that could influence your decision. Even if former employers do not come right out and advise you against your decision, you can pick up “vibes” based on their responses. If the speaker sounds guarded and noncommittal, it may be because they are reluctant to let you in on something you should know.

Still, references are not always revealing. After all, most nannies are likely to only offer the contact details of people who will have nothing but good things to say. This is why your use of references should be combined with other background check options.

Working with a Private Investigator

If you are going to run a background check, it is best to avoid using online sites with no ties to a proper investigative agency. Most of these sites simply check online databases for records and then compile this information for you. They do not have access to immigration or criminal records.

Instead, a more effective approach is to work with a private investigator. Private investigators have access to many resources that they can use during a nanny check. For instance, immigration can verify your nanny’s legal status, get information on her former working history and even access her DMV records. A routine nanny check will take less than a day and cost you very little compared to what you stand to lose.

Let Your Nanny Know You’re Running a Background Check

There is no need to hide a nanny background check. In fact, during the interview phase, feel free to let your nanny know that you plan to run a background check before you hire her. It is a good tactic. Most times, if a nanny knows you’ll be conducting a background check, she’ll quickly back off with some make up excuse or come straight out and confess to something she’s hidden from you.

Consider Working with a Nanny Cam

Even if your background checks come up clean, you should still take steps towards protecting your home. A nanny cam is a good way of keeping an eye on your newly-hired nanny. Most cams come with live feeds, which give you a way of monitoring your home even while at work. You may also want to consider installing a home security system for the kids.

The Bottom Line

Hiring the wrong nanny can lead to sad consequences. So why take the chance? It only takes a few minutes to learn more about the person you are about to hire. Before you entrust a nanny with your kids, take a few minutes to speak with former employers in order to get a better idea of what you can expect. You can also enlist the assistance of a private investigation agency to run a criminal background check on your nanny. Most nannies have spotless records. But if you’re about to hire one with a history of crime, you’ll want to know.

The first forty-eight hours are the most important in a missing person investigation. During this window, it is easier for the police to track down leads and chase possible suspects. Unfortunately, after the first few days, finding a missing person becomes a lot harder as the trail goes cold. In some instances, the trail may remain cold for many months or years – unless the victim gets a lucky break.

The case of Amanda Berry, Gina Dejesus, and Michele Knight is a good example of how long a missing persons case might last. The details behind the case aren’t pleasant. All three girls were held captive for over a decade. Their abductor, Ariel Castro, kept them locked in the basement for years – often leaving them tied in chains. During the period, he fathered a child with one of the girls and was responsible for several forced abortions.

There is no knowing how long these women might have remained in captivity if they hadn’t escaped. Sensing an opportunity, Amanda Berry drew the attention of a neighbor with her scream. Thinking it was a domestic argument, the neighbor helped her to break free of the prison-home. She was able to place a quick 911 call using her neighbor’s phone and was rescued within the next five minutes. The police searched the house and found the other women before arresting Ariel Castro on several charges of abduction.

Over the past decade, there have been several cases like this and each follows the same pattern. First, there is the communal relief that the victims are safe. Then, there is anger at the abductor. Then – inevitably – the public begins to question whether the police could have done something better. Interestingly, no one ever seems to question whether the family could have done something different – for example, by hiring a private investigator to assist with the case.

Working with a Private Investigator

Private investigators aren’t replacements for the law enforcement, but they do offer an invaluable second option – especially if the missing person case has already stretched for more than a month. Most private investigators have good relationships with the local law enforcement, which makes it easy for them to coordinate their efforts with the police detectives handling the case.

The non-official status of a private investigator also offers several useful benefits, which may prove essential in solving the case. For instance, it is easier for a detective to blend in society. People are more likely to reveal sensitive information to a private investigator than they would the police, as they don’t have to worry about being arrested or dragged into a complex investigation. And if a lead should turn up half way across the country, a private investigator can be on the first flight to interview the witness.

Ultimately, working with a private investigator gives you more control over the missing persons case, which can help you to weather those difficult months until the person is found. In addition to all this, private investigators may be able to provide support to your family. Often, they will be able to advise you on how to proceed, as well as answer any questions you might have.

Solving Your Missing Persons Case

Is it possible to find missing person after 48 hours? The simple answer is yes. Thousands of missing persons have been found after the 48-hour window.

However, it is important that you recognize that there are many variable factors involved that may make the process more difficult. For instance, in the case of Amanda Berry, all three women were kept locked indoors for nearly a decade. This means that the police officers had very little floating evidence to work with. There were no sightings, no online activity, no residual DNA – absolutely nothing to go off of. It was as if they dropped off the face of the earth for ten years (and, in many ways, they did).

Cases like these are – fortunately – rare, though. In most situations, private investigators can use other tools to track down possible leads. For instance, a PI may be able to pinpoint the location of a missing person using digital footprints left behind on social media and forums – particularly in situations where the missing person is a runaway teen.

A person’s credit card activity may also offer some information as to his or her location. Private investigators can monitor suspects and take pictures, using this information to assist the police in their search. Using these methods, private investigators have been able to find people that were missing for over a decade.

What You Can Do

Beyond the efforts of the law enforcement and a private detective, there are things that you can do to help find a missing person.

As an example, during the first couple of weeks, continue to keep in contact with the missing person’s friends and family members. Sometimes, these people may remember little details weeks after the event that may be useful in solving the case.

You may also want to consider sharing the contact information of the police (and possibly your private investigator) with other people. In some situations, people with helpful information may hold back on sharing it if it’s something they would rather you did not know (as in the case of a missing teenager who was having a relationship with a married man).

As the weeks go by, it may become harder for you to remember certain details. To prevent against this, consider keeping a diary. You can use this to record any new information you gather, any people you speak to and the details that are clearest in your memory. Above all, never lose faith. The anguish of losing a loved one is unimaginable. But as long as you keep believing, there is always hope.

Stalking is a crime – one that appears to be on the rise. According to a study conducted by the Department of Justice, one out every 12 women will be a victim of stalking in her lifetime.

It is dangerous to brush aside stalkers as harmless. Studies show that stalking is also closely linked to incidences of rape, abductions and violence. Knowing if you are being stalked and being able to identify your stalker can go a long way to protect you.

The following are some of the warning signs that you are being stalked that you need to be aware of:

You Keep Spotting the Same Face

Stalkers aren’t exactly known for their stealth. If you keep bumping into the same face whenever you step out of work, head to the mall or shop for groceries, then you may be a victim of stalking.

Obviously, not every familiar face is a stalker. For instance, if you go the gym regularly, you’re likely to find the same set of faces there. But if you repeatedly spot the same person at the gym, wherever you go shopping or parked across the street from your house, you may have a stalker on your hands.

You Keep Getting Gifts

There is a different between being romantic and being just plain creepy. It is okay for you to get gifts from a loved one. But if you keep getting gifts from a stranger who persistently refuses to reveal his or her identity, you may be faced with a stalking situation.

Stalkers sometimes send gift to places like your office, where they know it’ll create an impact. They may follow this with anonymous phone calls or emails, asking if you received and liked the gift. Again, it is important that you know when to draw the line. Most stalkers will continue to send gifts if you encourage them. The gifts may become increasingly expensive or increasingly weird, including nude pictures, underwear or snippets of their hair.

You Keep Receiving Phone Calls

Not phone calls from family members and friends checking in on you – those are nice. Instead, keep an eye out from repeated phone calls from people you only know casually. If you’re constantly getting hang-ups, people who keep leaving silent messages on your machine or calls from restricted numbers, you may have a stalker.

If you know who your caller is, firmly ask them to stop calling you. If they don’t stop, inform the police.

You Keep Running into Situations Where You Need to Be Rescued

Maybe your car breaks down in the middle of the highway or you leave the office only to find out that your car has a flat. Stalkers may sometimes sabotage your routine so that they can pop up and rescue you. It gives them the opportunity to interact with you and creates a situation where you will need to be grateful towards them.

If you find yourself in repeated situations where someone you know casually is conveniently on hand to rescue, be on your guard.

You’re Being Stalked on the Web

In recent years, the efficiency of social media networks – combined with the unerring accuracy offered by GPS – has made it easier for stalkers to track people remotely. Stalkers can steal personal information from you through the social content you post. They can also steal details from your phone using tracking software. And if your phone is enabled with GPS, they can pinpoint your exact location at any time of the day.

Internet stalking takes several different forms. Your stalker may send you multiple emails and social messages. You may also receive invitations to visit numerous websites, blogs or chartrooms. Don’t get lulled into a false sense of security because it is all occurring on the web. A cyber stalker is just as dangerous as any other kind of stalker.

You Experience Violent Actions

In some instances, stalking can degenerate into acts of violence designed to frighten you. You may find your car vandalized or your home burgled. If you experience any of this, inform the police immediately. The police can make an arrest if you know the person responsible.

What to Do

If you suspect that you are being stalked, report your fears to the police. Police take cases of stalking very seriously, especially when it involves threats of violence. If you know who your stalker is, that is even better.

However, even if you don’t know who your stalker is, the police will give you advice on what to do and the precautions that you can take. Beyond that, there are additional steps that you can adopt to protect yourself:

Working With a Private Investigator

A private investigator can protect you from stalkers in a number of different ways. He can track down the identity of your stalker and help you gather enough evidence for a successful court case. Private investigators also have access to resources that they can use in identifying anonymous callers or internet stalkers.

Working with a private investigator, you will be able to build a credible record of all the interactions you have had with a stalker. When you eventually take the case to court, you will be much more likely to succeed. In addition to this, private investigators may be able to offer you additional protection services, which you can use in tandem with the support provided by police.

Protecting Yourself

The following are some of the other things that you can do to improve your safety:

• Change your daily routine. If you go jogging in the morning, choose a different route each time. Try to be less predictable.
• Never try to talk to your stalker or confront him alone. Stalkers aren’t rational, so rational reasoning won’t work. In most cases, doing so only rewards their efforts and encourages them to increase their activity.
• Avoid walking alone, especially during late hours. If you’re running late at work, ask a friend to escort you home.
• Keep your doors and windows closed at all times. Never open the door until you confirm who is behind it.
• Install a security system in your home to prevent your stalker from trespassing.

According to the National Center for Victims Crime, over three million cases of stalking are reported each year. If you suspect that someone might be stalking you, don’t wait for the situation to degenerate. Do something about it immediately using the tips described above.

No one should ever go through the anguish of a missing loved one. Sadly, it sometimes happens. The first few days after a person goes missing can be very traumatizing. At such points, families struggle with a mixture of fear, anguish, anger, and panic.

And yet, as hard as it may be, it is important that you take the right course of actions. Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. The decisions that you make within the first 96 hours can have a huge bearing on how quickly your loved one is found. The steps required for filing a missing persons case varies slightly with different states. However, the following are some of the core steps that you must take – no matter where you live.

Check Around

Before you contact the police, do a sweep of your area to make sure that the person is truly missing. False alarms happen all the time. Missing persons may sometimes turn up in the home of a family member. With any luck, yours will fit in that category.

Spend a few minutes doing a search around your home. Contact your friends, family members and neighbors to find out if they have spotted the missing person. The police will ask you if you have done all this when you contact them, so it is best to be able to reply in the affirmative.

Inform the Police

Contrary to public opinion, you are not required by law to wait 48 hours before reporting a missing person. You can (and should) inform the police as soon as you suspect that a person is missing. You may be able to do this by calling 911 or – even better – visiting the local station.

When you speak to a police officer, make sure that you are completely honest about the circumstances surrounding the person’s disappearance. If you have knowledge of any illicit activity that the person was involved in, make sure that the detectives know in order to improve your case’s outcome.

File a Report

When filing a missing persons report, try to provide as much information about the person as you can. The police office will want a description of what the person was wearing the last time you saw him or her. This includes shoes, clothing, hats and any other accessories that the person might have been wearing.

The missing persons report should also include a description of the person’s physical characteristics, including his or her skin tone, weight, height and eye color. If there are any discernible features – such as tattoos or scars – be sure to tell the police.

It also helps if you have a recent picture of the missing person. The best pictures are those that offer either a full-body shot or shots of the head and shoulders. Pictures can help police officers during their search and can be used for making flyers.

Finally, the police will want to know what the missing person was last seen doing and where this was. All of this information will go into your report in order to assist the law enforcement officers assigned to your case.

After Your Report is Filed

Once you have filed a report, the police will begin an investigation into the disappearance using the provided information. The circumstances will affect how the investigation is handled. If the missing person is an adult, the police will not bring them home, but call to inform you when they are found. In situations where the abduction of a child is confirmed, a Child Rescue (Amber) alert may be put out.

Some of the different actions that a police may take during the course of their investigation include:

• Searching around the area where the missing person was last sighted
• Checking the mobile records of the missing person’s phone
• Checking for captured footage on CCTV cameras
• Coordinating searches around the neighborhood
• Interviewing the missing person’s friends, neighbors and colleagues
• Checking the missing person’s web footprint
• Checking local hospitals for recent admissions
• Issuing a press release asking the public for assistance, as well as initiating media coverage
• Walking alongside with the local search and rescue team

Follow Up

In the best scenarios, the missing person will be found after a few days of searching. However, if this does not happen, do not back down. Keep the case number so that you can check in regularly to find out if any progress has been made.

If you plan to use flyers, make sure that it does not contain your personal address or contact information, as this may expose you to unnecessary risk. Post the flyers in public places where they will get the most viewing. Places like gas stores, churches, and bus stations are good choices.

Hiring a Private Investigator

It is vital that you inform the police about any missing person, as law enforcement agencies have a lot of different resources that they can put to use in your case. However, in addition to their efforts, you may also want to consider working with a private investigator. The benefit of hiring a PI is that it gives you a dedicated avenue for finding the missing person. A private investigator will also find it easier to travel beyond state borders to follow up on any leads that are uncovered.

There is also the fact that some people are more comfortable talking with private investigators than they are with police. This does not mean that a private investigator should replace the police. Quite the contrary. But combined with the resources of your local police department, hiring a private investigator will offer you a better chance of success.

How you go about filing a missing persons case is important. The information you provide will be put into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) where it can be accessed by other agencies across the country, so it is vital that you make your report as detailed and accurate as possible. After your police report is filed, do not let up. By staying active with your case, you increase your odds of ultimately locating your missing person.

In the early weeks of May 2013, the battle on gun control took a radical turn. A group known as Defense Distributed made the world’s very first gun using almost nothing but a 3D printer. The parts of the gun were cast from resins and polymer. It wasn’t the world’s finest firearm, but it offered the basics: it could be fired. And it could be fired to kill.

The gun was called the “Liberator,” an obvious reference to the group’s vision, which is aimed at
“defending the civil liberties of people’s access to arms.” The current creation is unlikely to trigger the widespread mass production of guns, but it suggests that the balance in gun availability may be changing very soon.

The Ethical Question?

Should people have easy access to guns? The nation has wrestled for many decades with this question. Proponents of the issue have pointed to their legal rights, which allow them to bear arms for their personal protection. However, the growing number of public shootings happening around the country has led others to call for the enforcement of stiffer gun laws.

While the debate about the 3D pirate gun is still going, the government has already taken steps towards limiting who has access to the new resin gun. Cody Wilson, the founder of Liberator was ordered to remove the schematics of the weapon from his site, on the grounds that he was violating a U.S arms export law.

However, before Wilson could remove the designs, they were downloaded over a 100,000 times. They were also uploaded to popular file-sharing sites such as Piratebay and Mega. The site may be down, but the plans are now out there, in cyber space. Getting them back will be virtually impossible.

The Stealth Gun

The Liberator is not just a gun. It is also an effective stealth weapon. Because most of the necessary parts can be created with a 3D printer using non-metal components, the gun is capable of evading metal detectors, which would make carrying it illegal.

To counter this, the producers added a chunk of steel into the gun. Remove this, and the gun becomes invisible to metal detectors. The Liberator is also incredibly affordable. According to the designer, the gun costs roughly $5 to build (assuming you already have a 3D printer). With no registration, zero waiting time and no serials, the liberator could quickly become a thorn in the side of law enforcement officials.

Another significant risk to the adoption of 3D printed guns is that it is almost impossible for the government to regulate their production. In theory, DRMs could be built into the 3D printers which prevents them from manufacturing certain designs (similar to the technology that prevents digital scanners from scanning currency), but such restrictions can be hacked or circumnavigated. The best that the government could do would be to simply ban the use of the guns, while hoping for the best.

3D Guns

Defense Distributed aren’t the only ones who have successfully manufactured parts of a gun using a 3D printer. A few months before, another gunsmith announced that he had successfully printed the lower receiver of a modular assault rifle using a 3D printer.

The idea of building your own gun at home isn’t particularly new. Ever since the first gun was invented, people have been able to successfully create their own home versions. That is because the principle behind a gun’s technology is not as complex as some might think. All you need is a bullet lined in a tube and a force strong enough to send it shooting out – a problem that can be solved using everything from pressure cans to elastic bands.

In the mid-1950s, street wars were fought using zip guns. Some of these were crude, while others were more refined. Nevertheless, they got the job done. The current laws of the country already permit people to build their own firearms, provided they aren’t being produced for sale and are limited to personal use. A 3D gun would fall in that category.

So what does this mean for the safety of private investigators? It is hard to say. Just like the birth of the internet, there are likely to be both good and bad outcomes. It is safe to say that some people will seize the opportunity of 3D guns to launch attacks.

But will this be enough for the government to ban the technology? It is more a question of the man and less about the system. For example, there are signs that the Tsarnaev brothers got the instructions on how to build the pressure bombs the used in the Boston Marathon bombings using the web. However, shutting down the web just because of people like the Tsarnaev brothers would be considered harsh by even the most stringent of observers.

So yes, the option of printing your own gun will be used in different ways by different people. What is, however, likely to occur is that private investigators and law enforcement agents will become a lot more careful around suspects – particularly those with a history of violence.

Another possible downside to the 3D printed guns is that their increased adoption will end up making it harder for law enforcement officials to build weapons profiles or to track down suspects. Since these guns can be essentially built within a garage, criminals may be able to skip the gun store or local black market when hunting for a weapon, leaving PIs and officers of the law without any serial numbers or registration information.

The Bottom Line

The fight against the 3D gun (as well as the idea of “wiki-weaponry”) is well underway. Most government agencies are looking for ways of staving off their use. It is worth noting that, although the Liberator was created using a 3D printer, it is still a long way from being an effective weapon. Its accuracy isn’t very sharp and there is the serious risk that it may end up blowing up in your face.

But if modern engineering has shown anything, it is that very few first models start out great. The most significant part is getting that initial step – and it appears that has begun.

How safe are your children around your new baby sitter or nanny? Learn eight strategies for protecting your family below.

According to conventional thinking, children are the least protected when they’re outside the home. However, this isn’t always the case.

In fact, twenty percent of all children’s deaths are the result of accidental injuries that occur within the home. In addition, most cases of kidnapping and abuse also occur at the family home. As a result, if you’re planning to hire domestic help, you have every reason to be concerned, worried, and want to take additional steps before letting a stranger into your house. Besides your immediate family, your employees will be the closest contacts to your kids, helping raise them, help them study, and remind them to mind their manners.

Before hiring help, consider the following eight tips to help keep your children safe:

1. Ask for References

First impressions matter. However, don’t base your domestic help decisions on first impressions alone. Even if you find potential candidates to be warm, friendly and easy to talk to, you should still make it a point to insist that they provide references. You can learn a lot more about your domestic help by contacting their former employers.

When you talk with former employers, find out more about the judgment and abilities of the people you’re thinking about hiring. Were they to handle emergencies on their own? Did they always arrive on time? Did the children in their care ever have to let themselves off the bus and wait for their care providers? Do they have an abusive past? These are extremely important questions to ask references that will give you additional insight into how reputable your candidate is. These references can help beyond any background check.

Most of the time, if there any concerns that you need to know about, this approach will help reveal them. Just be sure to watch out for possible red flags. Sometimes, a reference may know something, but choose not to reveal it. If you get short, curt answers to your questions or replies that sound vague, there may be more to the story than you’re getting. In addition to this, there are laws in place that don’t allow references to

2. Run a Background Check

Background checks don’t have to be elaborate. You don’t need to know where your domestic help candidate was born or what high school she attended. But you do need to know if she has a criminal record and what for, as a past criminal history can – and should – influence your hiring decisions. It’s always good to know if the person is hopping address to address also – and can’t pay their rent in time. This might be a warning sign that you have a thief on your hands or someone unreliable working for you.

If you aren’t sure how to run a background check, a private investigator can help you with this. A good PI firm will be able to check criminal records to see if your potential worker has been convicted of a violent crime. A private investigator will also screen for possible aliases and follow up on any past complaints that have been filed against your candidate. A background check is doubly important if the worker appears to have gone through multiple jobs in a short period or if her work history has too many unexplained gaps.

Bear in mind that most PIs don’t recommend using the $15 checks that are available online for the simple reason that the facts aren’t verified and that, oftentimes, they mix up individuals with common names and similar dates of birth. This could be disastrous for some individuals – as they might show a criminal record when, in fact, your potential worker isn’t a criminal. By working with a reputable PI agency, you’ll get accurate, thorough results.

3. Don’t Ignore Warning Signs

Once hired, your domestic worker will become a vital part of your family. For this reason, you have every right to be paranoid!

Watch out for any possible red flags that your worker tries to gloss over. For instance, is she refusing to give you her phone number or home contact details? Is he unwilling to provide a social security number or offering to work for much less pay than he’s entitled to?  If so, pause before you make a decision.

Ask candidates specific questions related to running a home and proper childcare practices in order to gauge their responses before offering employment. Is the babysitter forgetful or does she have glazed-over eyes? Make sure there are no substance problems with your domestic help workers, as this could be detrimental to your child’s well-being.

4. Check Your Children for Bruises

Although nobody wants to think about the possibility of domestic abuse, it’s a concern that must be addressed whenever the custodial care of your children is placed outside of your hands.

Make it a point to give your kids a bath several times during the week and use this period to check their bodies for possible scratches or bruises. Many cases of abuse go undetected because parents return home to find their kids already dressed in their pajamas and then leave the house early the next morning while a nanny or baby-sitter gets the kids ready for school. If you spot any injuries on your child, find out what caused them. Don’t dismiss frequent “accidents” as your child being hyperactive, as frequent injuries could point to something more sinister.

5. Talk and Listen To Your Kids

Unfortunately, your kids won’t just send you an email informing you that you’ve hired the help from hell – but they will reveal their opinions in many other ways. Talk to your children when you get home and listen to what they have to say. If your child appears to resent or hate your domestic workers, find out why. Observe their behavior around the help. If they appear scared or distant, you could be dealing with a bad situation.

6. Call Home as Often as You Can

Once you’ve hired a domestic worker, your understandable temptation will be to dismiss your home-based concerns and dive into work once you arrive at the office. However, it’s important that you to take the time to call home periodically.

Plan your calls around mealtimes or your child’s bedtime. That way, you’ll be able to find out how your children are doing and get an early update on what’s been happening throughout the day. Increase the frequency of your calls during the first couple of weeks or until you’re more comfortable with the care being provided by your domestic workers. Insist that your workers always have their cell phones charged and nearby to prevent the excuse of missed calls.

7. Install a Security System

When you’re home, any domestic workers you’ve hired are bound to be respectful, friendly and dutiful. But what happens when you’re not around?

A nanny camera can be your eyes while you’re away. These types of equipment allow you to monitor what goes on in your home when you can’t be there in person. If you’re unsure how to install a system, a private investigator can help you to place several cameras around your home in order to detect any negative or dangerous behavior by your domestic workers.

8. Set Rules

Have rules in place before you hire workers, and then make sure that your employees understand and enforce them. For instance, make sure your help has your instructions on what to do during an emergency. Give your nanny or babysitter emergency numbers to call, as well as information on other means of getting in touch with you if necessary. Set out rules for what your children can and can’t eat, as well as how your children’s days should be structured.

Pay attention to how your workers react to your rules. If they continually break them, consider hiring different help.

In addition to setting rules for the help, make sure your children know not to overstep their boundaries. You don’t want your children to scare the domestic help away – over and over, thinking that it’s the help’s fault, not your children’s behavior.

Above all, trust your instincts. If you suspect that there’s something “off” about the worker you’re about to hire, you could be dealing with a potentially dangerous situation – and it’s better to be proven wrong than to be proven right. By taking the time to carefully screen your domestic workers and provide an optimal environment for in-home care, you’ll minimize possible threats to the youngest members of your family.