Public records offer a wealth of information for investigative reporting. From government documents to court records, these resources provide insight into official activities and transactions, enabling journalists to uncover hidden stories and hold institutions accountable.

Accessing and analyzing public records requires strategic planning and specialized skills. Reporters must navigate complex databases, utilize advanced search techniques, and interpret financial data to extract meaningful information. This process can lead to compelling story ideas and expose important issues affecting the public.

Accessing Public Records

Strategies for public record searches

• Public records encompass government documents, court records, property records, business filings providing transparency into official activities and transactions
• Research relevant agencies spans federal (Department of Justice), state (Secretary of State), local levels (county clerk) to pinpoint record sources
• FOIA requests enable access to federal agency records with specific deadlines (20 business days) and exemptions (national security)
• Boolean search techniques utilize AND, OR, NOT operators refine queries by combining or excluding terms
• Systematic search plan starts broad then narrows focus gradually honing in on specific information

Navigation of government databases

• Key government websites include USA.gov (official guide), Data.gov (open data portal), SEC EDGAR (company filings) offering vast information repositories
• Database interfaces feature advanced search options, filters, sorting capabilities enhancing precision and efficiency
• Specialized tools like Google Advanced Search, Archive.org's Wayback Machine expand search capabilities beyond standard queries
• State-specific resources encompass Secretary of State websites, open data portals providing localized information (business registrations, property records)

Analyzing Public Records

Analysis of public record content

• Financial terminology knowledge covers assets (resources owned), liabilities (debts owed), revenue (income generated), expenses (costs incurred)
• Budget document analysis examines line items, allocations, trends revealing spending priorities and fiscal management
• Financial statement examination includes balance sheets (financial position), income statements (profitability), cash flow statements (liquidity)
• Discrepancies or unusual patterns may indicate mismanagement, fraud, or significant policy shifts
• Multi-year or cross-entity comparisons reveal long-term trends or industry benchmarks
• Contextual factors like economic conditions (recession), policy changes (tax reforms) influence financial data interpretation

Story leads from public records

• Patterns or anomalies in data might signal misuse of funds, policy shifts, or emerging trends
• Cross-referencing information from multiple sources corroborates findings, reveals connections
• Key players identification through recurring names or organizations uncovers influential figures, potential conflicts of interest
• Money trail analysis examines campaign contributions, government contracts exposing potential improprieties
• Broader implications assessment considers public impact (tax increases, service cuts)
• Develop probing questions based on findings guiding further investigation
• Event or transaction timelines visualize sequences, patterns over time
• Connections between seemingly unrelated records may uncover hidden relationships, broader narratives