📋 Research Methodology

How We Build a DeepDive Report

Every report is hand-compiled by a human research analyst. Here's exactly what we do — and what we don't — to deliver intelligence you can rely on.

Our Approach

Human Analysts. Not an Algorithm.

Every DeepDive report is compiled by a human research analyst using a combination of public databases, social media analysis, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques — not automated scraping software.

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Human-Led Research

A trained intelligence analyst personally researches each subject. We don't click "generate" — we look, cross-reference, and verify before anything goes in your report.

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Multi-Source Verification

Every significant finding is corroborated across at least two independent sources. If we can't verify it, we flag it as unconfirmed — or leave it out entirely.

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Legally Sourced Only

We only access information that is publicly available and legally obtainable. We do not use hacking, social engineering, or any unauthorized access methods.

The Process

From Order to Delivery

Order Received

Subject details reviewed; analyst assigned within minutes

Primary Research

Public records, databases, and social platforms searched

QA Review

Second analyst checks all findings and sources

Report Delivered

Structured PDF delivered to your email

Data Sources

Where the Information Comes From

We draw exclusively from publicly accessible, legally obtainable sources. No gray-market databases. No purchased consumer data files.

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Public Records Databases

Court records (civil and criminal), property ownership records, deed transfers, business entity filings, and UCC filings via state and county repositories.

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Social Media Platforms

Publicly accessible profiles and posts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms — no login spoofing or private data access.

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Government Databases

Voter registration records, professional license verifications, FAA pilot/aircraft records, FCC licenses, federal court PACER records, and sex offender registries.

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OSINT Tools & Techniques

Reverse image search, username correlation, domain/WHOIS lookups, email verification, and geolocation metadata analysis using industry-standard open-source intelligence methods.

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News & Media Archives

Local and national newspaper archives, online news outlets, press releases, and broadcast media transcripts searchable by subject name and associated entities.

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Business & Corporate Filings

Secretary of State corporate registrations, DBA filings, business license records, bankruptcy court filings (PACER), and SEC EDGAR filings for public company affiliations.

Quality Assurance

Two Sets of Eyes on Every Report

Our QA process exists because a single analyst can miss context that a second review catches. It's not optional — every report goes through it.

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Dual-Analyst Review

The lead analyst who compiles your report is never the same person who reviews it for accuracy. The reviewing analyst checks:

All source links are live and accessible
Names, dates, and record numbers are correctly transcribed
Findings match the stated subject — not a name-alike
Confidence levels are accurately assigned

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Source Attribution

Every factual claim in your report includes:

The specific source it was drawn from
The date the information was accessed
A direct URL or database reference when available
A confidence rating (confirmed / unconfirmed / inferred)

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Subject Disambiguation

Common names require extra care. Our analysts use a structured disambiguation protocol — cross-referencing DOB, location, age range, and associated family names — to ensure findings belong to your subject and not a similarly named individual.

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Staleness Flags

We flag information that may be outdated. Public records can lag by months or years. We note the original record date so you can assess relevance — we never present old data as current fact.

Our Limits

What We Do — and Don't Do

Clarity about our boundaries matters. These aren't just legal disclaimers — they define what kind of service we are.

What We Do

Search publicly accessible records and databases
Analyze publicly visible social media profiles and posts
Review court filings, property records, and business registrations
Cross-reference multiple sources for accuracy
Attribute every finding to a specific, verifiable source
Flag unverified or uncertain information clearly
Deliver structured, readable reports with source citations

What We Never Do

Access private databases — no credit reports, no medical records
Hack, phish, or use any unauthorized system access
Social engineer the subject or people close to them
Contact the subject of the report under any circumstances
Obtain or provide information protected under HIPAA, GLBA, or DPPA
Access private social media content (private accounts, DMs)
Provide legal advice, legal opinions, or licensed PI services

Legal Compliance

FCRA — What It Means for You

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how background information can be used. Understanding this protects you and us.

⚠️ Important: Permissible Use Requirement

DeepDive is not a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) as defined by the FCRA. Our reports are compiled from publicly available sources for general due diligence and personal knowledge — not for regulated background screening purposes. Using our reports for any FCRA-regulated purpose is strictly prohibited and a violation of our Terms of Service.

Permitted Uses

Personal due diligence on someone you're entering a relationship with
Reconnecting with a lost family member or friend
Journalistic research (personal use, not as a CRA substitute)
Personal safety — verifying someone you met online
Business partner vetting (supplemental, not sole basis)
Locating an individual for legitimate personal reasons

Prohibited Uses (FCRA-Regulated)

Employment screening or hiring decisions
Tenant or rental applicant screening
Insurance underwriting or claims
Credit decisions or loan applications
Professional licensing determinations
Any government-mandated background check purpose

If you need an FCRA-compliant background check, you must use a licensed Consumer Reporting Agency. DeepDive cannot fulfill that role. By ordering a report, you certify that your use is not FCRA-regulated.

Turnaround Times

Standard & Rush Delivery

Every report is completed by a human analyst. Turnaround commitments reflect our capacity to maintain quality under a deadline.

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24 hours

Standard Report

$29

Full research by a dedicated analyst. Delivered within 24 hours of order confirmation. Complex multi-state subjects may take up to 48 hours — we'll notify you proactively.

⚡ Rush

8 hours

Rush Report

$49

Priority queue with a dedicated analyst who pauses other work to complete your report first. Best for time-sensitive situations. Same depth, faster delivery.

All times measured from order confirmation during business hours (Mon–Sat, 8am–10pm ET). Orders placed after 10pm ET begin the next morning.

For Professionals

Frequently Asked Questions

Attorneys, private investigators, HR professionals, and journalists use our service differently. Here's what you need to know.

Can attorneys use a DeepDive report in their case?

Yes, with important caveats. Attorneys frequently use open-source intelligence and public records research as part of their investigative work — this is entirely permissible. A DeepDive report can help an attorney understand a subject's assets, affiliations, litigation history, and public presence. However, our reports are not court-ready evidence. They are a research starting point. Any facts used in litigation must be independently verified and obtained through proper legal discovery channels. We recommend attorneys treat our reports as an intelligence brief, not a sworn affidavit. We do not provide expert witness services or authenticated copies of records — those must be obtained directly from the issuing agency.

Can a licensed private investigator use DeepDive?

Yes. Licensed PIs regularly use OSINT research services as a force multiplier — the desk research is handled while the PI focuses on fieldwork. DeepDive can serve as a comprehensive open-source intelligence layer that complements a PI's licensed investigative activities. Note that PIs are bound by their own state licensing requirements and applicable surveillance laws that govern how they act on any intelligence they receive. We provide research only — we do not conduct surveillance, physical observation, or any activities that require a PI license. If you're a licensed PI and want to discuss volume pricing or a standing arrangement, email us directly.

Can HR departments use DeepDive to screen job candidates?

No. Employment screening is explicitly regulated by the FCRA, which requires Consumer Reporting Agencies to follow strict procedures including candidate authorization, adverse action notices, and dispute rights. DeepDive is not a CRA, and our reports cannot be used to make employment decisions. If you need compliant employment background checks, you must use a licensed CRA such as Checkr, HireRight, or Sterling. Using our reports for employment decisions would violate both our Terms of Service and potentially federal law. We take this seriously and reserve the right to refuse service if we have reason to believe employment screening is the intended use.

Can journalists use DeepDive for reporting?

Yes. Journalists routinely use public records research and OSINT techniques as part of their reporting. A DeepDive report can be a useful starting point for building a profile on a subject of public interest — identifying business affiliations, property holdings, litigation history, and publicly known associations. Journalists are responsible for independently verifying any information they publish. Our reports do not constitute "on the record" sourcing — they are research leads. We do not confirm or deny who our clients are, and we do not disclose that a report was ordered about any individual.

Can I use DeepDive to verify someone I met online?

Absolutely. Dating and online relationship verification is one of our most requested services. Romance scams cost Americans over $1.3 billion in 2024 alone (FTC). Our analysts verify identity consistency, check for criminal history, confirm professional and educational claims, and look for patterns consistent with romance fraud — such as inconsistent personal details, fabricated employment history, or recycled profile photos. We approach every search with discretion and empathy. Many clients feel embarrassed about ordering a check on a romantic interest — there's nothing to be ashamed of. Protecting yourself is smart.

Can I publish or share findings from my report?

You own the report you purchase and may use findings in your editorial, legal, or professional work. Specifically: (1) You may share findings with editors, colleagues, or legal counsel as part of your work process. (2) You may publish findings as part of your reporting — the underlying public records are not proprietary. (3) We recommend citing the underlying public records directly rather than citing "DeepDive" as a source. (4) You may not republish the full report — the compilation, analysis, and formatting are our intellectual property. (5) For legal proceedings, our reports compile independently verifiable public records — admissibility depends on your jurisdiction; consult counsel.

What happens if the subject is difficult to find or has a common name?

Common names require significantly more work to disambiguate. Our analysts use a structured protocol — cross-referencing date of birth, geographic history, associated family names, and professional identifiers — to ensure we're building a profile on the correct individual. If the subject's name is extremely common (e.g., "John Smith in Florida") and we cannot achieve reasonable disambiguation confidence, we will contact you for additional identifiers before completing the report. In rare cases where disambiguation is impossible given the information provided, we will offer a partial refund rather than deliver a report we cannot stand behind.

Is the subject ever notified that a report was ordered?

Never. We do not contact the subject of any report for any reason. We do not notify them that a search was conducted. All research is passive — we review publicly available information without alerting the subject. This is a core commitment: we will not break confidentiality under any circumstances. The only exception would be a valid court order requiring us to disclose information, in which case we would notify you to the extent legally permitted before complying.

What if the report finds nothing significant?

A "clean" report is itself a meaningful result. If our research finds no court records, no adverse public information, and no red flags, that's documented clearly in your report. We don't pad reports with irrelevant data to make them look more comprehensive — if the record is clean, we say so. You can request a refund within 7 days if you feel the report did not meet the scope described at the time of order.