skip tracer

American  

Or skip-tracer

noun

1. an investigator whose job is to locate missing persons, especially debtors.

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skip tracer British  

noun

1. a person employed to search for missing debtors or defendants who have absconded whilst on bail

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Other Word Forms

• skip tracing noun

Example Sentences

In 1984, Ahearn left the detective agency and set up as a freelance skip tracer.

From The Guardian

A former New York skip tracer – a private investigator who finds people who have “skipped” town – turned professional “disappearer”, Ahearn offers a range of freelance services, everything from helping to restore your privacy on the internet to driving your family across Europe and into a new life.

From The Guardian

There he sat next to a skip tracer.

From The Guardian

“There are two types of skip tracer: passive ones, who use databases and directories to find people; and aggressive ones, who carry out social engineering to find their prey.”

From The Guardian

If you insist on maintaining a legal identity, experienced skip tracer Frank Ahearn recommends establishing a corporation to attenuate the link between your business dealings and yourself.

From Slate

Related Words

• detective
• gumshoe
• private eye
• private investigator
• sleuth