The Project

The Online Investigator's Handbook was created as a part of an educational research project, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master of Science degree in Economic Crime Management from Utica College.  The author designed the handbook to be both a comprehensive self-paced tutorial and a reference guide for online investigative research.  Investigators working on cases that might benefit from the use of online investigative tools can use the handbook to improve their online research skills and learn new ways to use the Internet for investigative purposes.

The Handbook is more than a list of helpful links.  This project introduces a new investigative methodology for using online tools effectively to investigate fraud, conduct background checks, enhance due diligence, and research complex topics.  The Online Investigator's Handbook combines this methodology with practical advice, real-world examples, and and cutting-edge resources to give investigators the tools they need to make the most out of the wealth of information available in today's online world.

The first edition of the Online Investigator's Handbook, released in December 2003, was focused on the investigation of disability insurance claim fraud.  However, the methodologies discussed and tools provided throughout the handbook are applicable to almost all types of investigations.

The Program

Utica College has been the North American leader in economic crime study since 1988, when the Economic Crime Investigation undergraduate major was first offered. Working with the Board of Directors of the Economic Crime Institute, Dr. Gary R. Gordon founded the Economic Crime Management (ECM) master’s degree program in 1999. The ECM program, offered in a distance learning format with three one-week long residencies each year for two years, is offered at Utica College in Utica, New York.

The ECM curriculum focuses on fraud and risk management strategies, current economic crime challenges including money laundering and identity fraud, and applying innovative technological and analytical solutions. It has been designed to meet the growing security demands placed on experienced personnel in law enforcement, private corporations, government, and the military.  For more information about these programs, please visit the Utica College and Economic Crime Institute websites.

The Author

James D. Ruotolo is currently the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Best Practices Manager at a major life and disability insurance company .  Mr. Ruotolo's responsibilities include project management, new technology development, and anti-fraud training.  His public speaking engagements include training sessions on Online Research and Investigation Tactics for the National Healthcare Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA), International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA), and the International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU).  Mr. Ruotolo holds a Masters degree in the Economic Crime Management and a Bachelor's degree in Economic Crime Investigation from Utica College.