Investigations firm helps track down people, information

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - Don Johnson doesn't understand people who live life wearing headphones.

"It's so important to be aware of your surroundings and your environment," said Johnson, founder and president of Trace Investigations of Bloomington.

"Do you really need the music?" He doesn't think a person can be fully aware at all times with music playing, and he thinks this habit is a safety hazard.

Johnson has always been concerned with safety and accuracy. Before founding Trace Investigations , he worked as a private investigator in New York City. His personal motto mirrors Davy Crockett's: "Be always sure you're right - then go ahead."

Johnson, who attended Indiana University, tells The Herald-Times (http://bit.ly/1b7FAyT ) that Trace Investigations and its team of seven primarily works with attorneys and businesses. However, a handful of personal cases, like searches for missing heirs or runaway teenagers, still show up on his doorstep. Before starting an investigation, Johnson needs to get acquainted with a potential client.

"We'll have a consultation to figure out if we can help. What's the nature of your problem?" said Johnson. "In my business, you must know your client. Who are they? What do they need, and can we help them?" Johnson says he must also consider what they're going to do with the information. He is always careful when a person wants to track someone down. In the past, he's seen husbands looking for their runaway wives. But Johnson knew that all searches aren't with the best intentions, and he feared for the safety of the wives in question.

"If a man is looking for a girlfriend he had 20 years ago, we are not going to tell him when we find her," said Johnson. "We will take a letter to her that says that someone wants to contact her. It's up to that person, and if they don't want anything to do with you, we aren't going to tell you." Although it's important to serve the client, Johnson always protects the safety of those on the company's search list.

The primary skills required of private investigators haven't changed much in the past century. According to Johnson, people skills are crucial for the job. Talking to sources in a way that makes them comfortable will allow investigators to access more information.

"We aren't police officers, we don't carry badges and we don't have arrest powers," said Johnson. "We depend on people to help us and help others."

Trace Investigations does defense work for the wrongly accused and occasionally takes on a missing person's case. Unfortunately, these cases are often impossible to solve.

"They're always difficult. Usually people don't call us right away," said Johnson, "So the trail is cold before we get involved."

Author and Indiana University graduate Michael Koryta works part time at Trace Investigations, even after his novels have been best sellers. Koryta worked there part time in college while he took classes, and he continued as a full-time employee until his writing career took him elsewhere.

Although he's currently a busy novelist, Koryta makes time to work on special investigations.

Johnson charges for most services by the hour, and some cases require a retainer. He charges a flat fee for others, such as service of legal process papers and record retrieval.

To discuss rates or if you want to connect with Trace about a personal or business investigation, fill out an information request form on the website, traceinvestigations.com. You can also call Trace Investigations at 812-334-8857.

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Information from: The Herald Times, http://www.heraldtimesonline.com