What alternative names, usernames and identifiers should I search?¶
Do not search only for the person's name.
Mobile extractions can contain a person or account in several different forms: a telephone number, username, email address, profile ID, nickname, contact name or internal service identifier.
A good search list grows as the investigation develops.
Start with what you actually know¶
Suppose you are looking for David Mercer.
Your starting list might include:
| Type | Search value |
|---|---|
| Name | David Mercer |
| Known nickname | Dave |
| Mobile | +44 7700 900123 |
| david.mercer@example.test | |
| Username | dmercer82 |
| Business | Mercer Repairs |
| Vehicle | AB12 CDE |
Search important values separately before combining them.
That way you can explain which identifier produced the hit.
Let the extraction add new identifiers¶
A contact entry might link a name to a number.
A WhatsApp conversation may expose a service-specific account identifier.
An email account may reveal another address.
A photograph or device record may give you a useful filename, device name or account.
Record where each new identifier came from.
Not every link has the same strength¶
It helps to mark identifiers as:
- verified;
- reported;
- inferred; or
- unconfirmed.
A phone number in a provider record is different from a nickname somebody typed into their contacts.
A service ID can be excellent for finding the same account again within that platform, but it does not automatically prove who controlled the account.
Exact values matter¶
Keep:
- full telephone numbers;
- exact usernames and spelling;
- email addresses;
- numeric account IDs;
- profile URLs where relevant;
- device names and identifiers;
- known aliases and misspellings.
A changed display name may hide from a name search while the underlying service ID remains the same.
The practical point is: build a sourced identity map rather than betting the search on one name. Every reliable new identifier gives you another way to find the same person, account or device in the extraction.
