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Our People
Our Investigators are members of many state, national, and international investigative associations including, Florida Association of Private Investigators, ASIS International, World Association of Detectives, International Intelligence Network, Council of International Investigators, Florida Certified Investigator, Board Accredited Investigator, Federal Criminal Investigators Association, Florida Police Chief’s Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police and others. You can read more about the associations we belong to and why we feel it is important for any professional to belong industry organizations.
Harvey E. Morse, BAI, CII
HARVEY E. MORSE, BAI, CII, CMI is President of Locaters International, Inc. ® and Chairman of Morse Genealogical Services, LLC ™, has served ten consecutive years as Chair of the State of Florida’s Division of Licensing Advisory Board, is a sworn law enforcement officer, a state certified training instructor, Past Chair of the BBB of Central Florida, Founder of the Florida Association of Private Investigators, Inc., and continues to serve on many civic, charitable, law enforcement and private investigative organizations. He has over 50 years of investigative experience. He is a graduate of Boston University, the Florida Police Academy, attended Suffolk University Law School, is a public speaker, conducts seminars for lawyers, and is the recipient of numerous professional awards and commendations, including the Florida Senate.
Harvey E. Morse began his investigative career in Massachusetts after graduating Boston University and then attending Suffolk University Law School. In the early 1970’s he moved to Florida and commenced operations as President of Locaters International, Inc. which has been actively engaged in traditional investigations since it was founded.
Harvey has been the President, an Officer or Board member of just about every organization there is in this field. He has served as the peer elected Chairman of the PSAC (now PIRSAC) for ten consecutive terms, a record that is now statutorily impossible for anyone to ever again attain, after having been appointed to that body by the Secretary of State. Over the course of his career, Harvey has been instrumental in writing and interpreting legislation for the industry, even becoming a Lobbyist to assure passage or change.
Nothing gives Harvey more pleasure than to mentor and answer questions for those who are new private investigators. He always shares his years and wealth of information freely and openly, and is a person who can always be counted upon when a friend or a favor is needed. He will never say that he is too busy to help. As far as “war stories” are concerned, sit him down, give him a topic and you can almost be assured he has “been there and done that”. Over the years he has assisted countless people in becoming licensed, has done public speaking, training, radio and TV shows. He has even been the State’s “Expert” witness in private investigation issues.
Harvey has always set his standards at the highest level and bases his existence on integrity, honesty and experience. He believes that reputation is everything and there is no case that is ever worthwhile for any private investigator to compromise his character.
In addition to sharing his knowledge, he developed and created a software program to run his offices. One day another investigator asked if he could have a copy. In Harvey’s true tradition he said, “sure”. That simple gesture of trying to help a competitor become more professional has resulted in over 1,000 copies of his program to assist others in the management of their offices.
Harvey also graduated the full Florida police academy, first in his class of 82 candidates and is a sworn law enforcement officer having been an Assistant Chief and currently serves as a police Investigator. Because of his never-ending obsession with fairness, justice, or the appearance of an impropriety, his investigative firm does not currently accept criminal matters. The list of professional organizations to which he belongs today or has belonged to in the past is simply far too vast to list here, but it is available upon request.
Harvey has spent over 50 years as an investigator championing our cause for professional, respectful recognition and the universal acceptance of private investigative services, worldwide. He is the Founder of the Florida Association of Private Investigators, Inc., (FAPI) and also the Board Accredited Investigator (BAI) program.
Harvey E. Morse began his investigative career in Massachusetts after graduating Boston University and then attending Suffolk University Law School. In the early 1970’s he moved to Florida and commenced operations as President of Locaters International, Inc. which has been actively engaged in traditional investigations since it was founded.
Harvey has been the President, an Officer or Board member of just about every organization there is in this field. He has served as the peer elected Chairman of the PSAC (now PIRSAC) for ten consecutive terms, a record that is now statutorily impossible for anyone to ever again attain, after having been appointed to that body by the Secretary of State. Over the course of his career, Harvey has been instrumental in writing and interpreting legislation for the industry, even becoming a Lobbyist to assure passage or change.
Nothing gives Harvey more pleasure than to mentor and answer questions for those who are new private investigators. He always shares his years and wealth of information freely and openly, and is a person who can always be counted upon when a friend or a favor is needed. He will never say that he is too busy to help. As far as “war stories” are concerned, sit him down, give him a topic and you can almost be assured he has “been there and done that”. Over the years he has assisted countless people in becoming licensed, has done public speaking, training, radio and TV shows. He has even been the State’s “Expert” witness in private investigation issues.
Harvey has always set his standards at the highest level and bases his existence on integrity, honesty and experience. He believes that reputation is everything and there is no case that is ever worthwhile for any private investigator to compromise his character.
In addition to sharing his knowledge, he developed and created a software program to run his offices. One day another investigator asked if he could have a copy. In Harvey’s true tradition he said, “sure”. That simple gesture of trying to help a competitor become more professional has resulted in over 1,000 copies of his program to assist others in the management of their offices.
Harvey also graduated the full Florida police academy, first in his class of 82 candidates and is a sworn law enforcement officer having been an Assistant Chief and currently serves as a police Investigator. Because of his never-ending obsession with fairness, justice, or the appearance of an impropriety, his investigative firm does not currently accept criminal matters. The list of professional organizations to which he belongs today or has belonged to in the past is simply far too vast to list here, but it is available upon request.
Harvey has spent over 50 years as an investigator championing our cause for professional, respectful recognition and the universal acceptance of private investigative services, worldwide. He is the Founder of the Florida Association of Private Investigators, Inc., (FAPI) and also the Board Accredited Investigator (BAI) program.
Ari S. Morse, BAI, CII
Ari S. Morse, BAI, CII is the Vice President of Locaters International, Inc., a Florida Licensed Investigative agency, and the President of Morse Genealogical Services, LLC, a fourth generation genealogical research firm that specializes in locating missing heirs to estates and conducting international forensic genealogical research.
A native of Livingston, New Jersey, Mr. Morse moved to the Daytona Beach area in 2000 to join his Uncle in the family business which was established in 1939. He attended Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island and then received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey.
Originally licensed in 1995 Mr. Morse has been in the investigative profession full time for over twenty years, and holds several investigative licenses from the State of Florida.
Mr. Morse was instrumental in the creation of the Florida Association of Private Investigators (FAPI), and the Board Accredited Investigator program (BAI), and has been an active board member since its inception. He currently serves on FAPI’s Executive Committee, and had previously served as its President.
Mr. Morse is a member of many investigative associations including the International Intelligence Network (INTELLENET), where he serves on their Board of Directors and holds the role of Co-Director of Membership, he World Association of Detectives (WAD), Council of International Investigators (CII), ASIS International, Florida State Genealogical Society, Central Florida Genealogical Society, Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), North Carolina Association of Private Investigators (NCAPI), the Council of Investigative Association Leaders (COAL), and the South Carolina Association of Legal Investigators (SCALI).
He has travelled the specializing in locating missing and unknown heirs to estates and then testifying as an expert witness. He has also received advanced training in computer forensics, internet investigations, email tracing, and other computer related investigations.
He is a past President of the Florida Association of Private Investigators, serving hundreds of investigators throughout Florida, and was honored by the Florida Board of Certified Investigators (FBCI) by being presented “John M. Russi Award of Excellence” for distinguished service in the areas of educational advancement and legislative efforts. Mr. Morse has also received the Founder’s Award from the Florida Association of Private Investigators in 2013 and the President’s Award in 2015.
Ari is also actively involved in the investigative community assisting new investigators. He has also been actively involved in the development of the Private Investigators Management Program which is now used by over one thousand agencies across the United States.
Ari was credentialed and served as both a New Jersey and Florida Certified Emergency Medical Technician.
Mr. Morse has been a member of numerous civic organizations including Rotary, B.P.O. Elks and various State Boards and committees. He recently concluded a term as a Board member of the Better Business Bureau of Central Florida, currently sits on the City of South Daytona’s Planning and Adjustments Board, and has been a Board member for the Heart Of Volusia, a non-profit organization geared towards cardiovascular issue awareness for over sixteen years, where he just served a three year term as its President.
A native of Livingston, New Jersey, Mr. Morse moved to the Daytona Beach area in 2000 to join his Uncle in the family business which was established in 1939. He attended Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island and then received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey.
Originally licensed in 1995 Mr. Morse has been in the investigative profession full time for over twenty years, and holds several investigative licenses from the State of Florida.
Mr. Morse was instrumental in the creation of the Florida Association of Private Investigators (FAPI), and the Board Accredited Investigator program (BAI), and has been an active board member since its inception. He currently serves on FAPI’s Executive Committee, and had previously served as its President.
Mr. Morse is a member of many investigative associations including the International Intelligence Network (INTELLENET), where he serves on their Board of Directors and holds the role of Co-Director of Membership, he World Association of Detectives (WAD), Council of International Investigators (CII), ASIS International, Florida State Genealogical Society, Central Florida Genealogical Society, Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), North Carolina Association of Private Investigators (NCAPI), the Council of Investigative Association Leaders (COAL), and the South Carolina Association of Legal Investigators (SCALI).
He has travelled the specializing in locating missing and unknown heirs to estates and then testifying as an expert witness. He has also received advanced training in computer forensics, internet investigations, email tracing, and other computer related investigations.
He is a past President of the Florida Association of Private Investigators, serving hundreds of investigators throughout Florida, and was honored by the Florida Board of Certified Investigators (FBCI) by being presented “John M. Russi Award of Excellence” for distinguished service in the areas of educational advancement and legislative efforts. Mr. Morse has also received the Founder’s Award from the Florida Association of Private Investigators in 2013 and the President’s Award in 2015.
Ari is also actively involved in the investigative community assisting new investigators. He has also been actively involved in the development of the Private Investigators Management Program which is now used by over one thousand agencies across the United States.
Ari was credentialed and served as both a New Jersey and Florida Certified Emergency Medical Technician.
Mr. Morse has been a member of numerous civic organizations including Rotary, B.P.O. Elks and various State Boards and committees. He recently concluded a term as a Board member of the Better Business Bureau of Central Florida, currently sits on the City of South Daytona’s Planning and Adjustments Board, and has been a Board member for the Heart Of Volusia, a non-profit organization geared towards cardiovascular issue awareness for over sixteen years, where he just served a three year term as its President.
Daniel C. Wescott
Daniel C. Wescott is the Director of Investigations for Locaters International, Inc. and has been in that capacity for over 15 years. Previously, he was a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and retired after a successful career.
Mr. Wescott has extensive experience in the public and private sectors. His FBI experience centered on white collar crime with cases such as bank fraud, mortgage fraud, bankruptcy fraud, healthcare fraud, public corruption and investment schemes. He also handed other FBI cases such as crimes against children, bank robberies, fugitives and counterterrorism. A production of child pornography case, wherein he was the FBI Case Agent, resulted in the largest forfeiture in history for the United States Department of Justice in a crimes against children case.
During his nine years of private investigation experience Mr. Wescott has handled all types of civil matters such as insurance defense to corporate due diligence, litigation support, extensive background investigations, child custody and alimony reduction. Mr. Wescott has also led employee theft, and missing persons investigations, all of which led to quality results for clients.
Prior to the FBI, Mr. Wescott was a bank loan officer and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. He also served four years active duty in the United States Air Force as a Tactical Air Command and Control Specialist.
Mr. Wescott has extensive experience in the public and private sectors. His FBI experience centered on white collar crime with cases such as bank fraud, mortgage fraud, bankruptcy fraud, healthcare fraud, public corruption and investment schemes. He also handed other FBI cases such as crimes against children, bank robberies, fugitives and counterterrorism. A production of child pornography case, wherein he was the FBI Case Agent, resulted in the largest forfeiture in history for the United States Department of Justice in a crimes against children case.
During his nine years of private investigation experience Mr. Wescott has handled all types of civil matters such as insurance defense to corporate due diligence, litigation support, extensive background investigations, child custody and alimony reduction. Mr. Wescott has also led employee theft, and missing persons investigations, all of which led to quality results for clients.
Prior to the FBI, Mr. Wescott was a bank loan officer and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. He also served four years active duty in the United States Air Force as a Tactical Air Command and Control Specialist.
Gerald “Jerry” Zito
Jerry Zito has a long and impressive career in law enforcement. His career started in 1973 in the crime ridden city of Miami. He began as a patrol officer, and was very involved in the Mariel boatlift of convicted Cuban offenders, and the eventual rise of the Colombian cocaine cartels.
During his career with the Miami-Dade Police Department, he moved from patrol duties to an investigator in the crime scene section. His duties included but not limited to the preservation of crime scenes, and traffic fatality scenes. Also the collection and preservation of physical evidence. He was tasked with organizing and supervising a specialized major case squad of crime scene investigators. The function of this elite unit was to respond to Latin related drug homicides, police involved shootings, and clandestine cocaine labs. All of us were specially trained for that unit. Also he moved to the detective bureau, to include Robbery, sexual battery, and homicide.
He spent 6 years with Federal Express (now FedEx) as a Senior Security Specialist. He was responsible for the security of FedEx facilities in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Puerto Rico. Also all the cargo ramps and over 30 jet aircraft. He also tracked lost or stolen shipments. His investigation skills lead to the recovery of thousands of dollars of lost or stolen packages. If stolen, the employee was terminated and often arrested.
The final segment of his career brought him to the Port Orange Police Department. During the following 18 years, he was a training officer, Special Investigations Unit, Criminal Investigations Division, The Volusia County North East Narcotics task force, and finally as the department’s training officer.
Also, while a member of POPD, in 2003 he was sent to Deception Control Institute to be trained as a polygraph examiner. He has been polygraphing police candidates and cases for CID. He belongs to the American Polygraph Association, and the Florida Polygraph Association.
During his career with the Miami-Dade Police Department, he moved from patrol duties to an investigator in the crime scene section. His duties included but not limited to the preservation of crime scenes, and traffic fatality scenes. Also the collection and preservation of physical evidence. He was tasked with organizing and supervising a specialized major case squad of crime scene investigators. The function of this elite unit was to respond to Latin related drug homicides, police involved shootings, and clandestine cocaine labs. All of us were specially trained for that unit. Also he moved to the detective bureau, to include Robbery, sexual battery, and homicide.
He spent 6 years with Federal Express (now FedEx) as a Senior Security Specialist. He was responsible for the security of FedEx facilities in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Puerto Rico. Also all the cargo ramps and over 30 jet aircraft. He also tracked lost or stolen shipments. His investigation skills lead to the recovery of thousands of dollars of lost or stolen packages. If stolen, the employee was terminated and often arrested.
The final segment of his career brought him to the Port Orange Police Department. During the following 18 years, he was a training officer, Special Investigations Unit, Criminal Investigations Division, The Volusia County North East Narcotics task force, and finally as the department’s training officer.
Also, while a member of POPD, in 2003 he was sent to Deception Control Institute to be trained as a polygraph examiner. He has been polygraphing police candidates and cases for CID. He belongs to the American Polygraph Association, and the Florida Polygraph Association.
James K. Dougal
James K. Dougal is a recently retired FBI Special Agent with extensive investigative experience in the FBI and the Savannah Police Department. Agent Dougal’s early assignments included being assigned the lead case agent of the largest cash robbery in U.S. history. On March 29, 1997, Phillip Noel Johnson overpowered two of his co-workers and left them handcuffed in different locations, taking $20 million from the armored vehicle storage facility. An extensive international investigation led to known aliases being used by Johnson including numerous identifications and passports. This eventually led to his capture while he was attempting to reenter the U.S. though a Mexico border crossing. Johnson refused to provide the location of the stolen cash after being taken into custody. With the cooperation of the Mexican Government, Agent Dougal was able to obtain a Mexican search warrant of Johnsons hideout which revealed evidence which led to the recovery 18.8 million dollars in a storage shed in Mountain Home, North Carolina.
Mr. Dougal began his law enforcement career in the Savannah Police Department after serving 10 years in the U.S. military to include deploying for Operation Desert Storm. He left the Savannah Police after two years to join the FBI where he served for 21 years. His assignments include two tours in the Jacksonville FBI Division where he was assigned to a wide variety of investigations to include; robbery, kidnappings, gangs, international fugitives, Joint Terrorist Task Force, counterintelligence, child pornography and organized crime. He spent 7 years as the Senior FBI SWAT Team leader for the Jacksonville Division.
In 1999, Agent Dougal was selected for the FBI Hostage Rescue Team where he served five years as an operator and sniper. He deployed on numerous counterrorism operations, bombing investigations and hostage recovery operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Haiti and Yemen. These included the investigation of the bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen and the bombing of the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.
In 2012, Mr. Dougal retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a Major in the Aviation Branch. He is a 1986 graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and holds both commercial airplane and helicopter certifications. In 2014, he obtained Master’s Degree in Homeland Security Studies from Penn State University.
Mr. Dougal began his law enforcement career in the Savannah Police Department after serving 10 years in the U.S. military to include deploying for Operation Desert Storm. He left the Savannah Police after two years to join the FBI where he served for 21 years. His assignments include two tours in the Jacksonville FBI Division where he was assigned to a wide variety of investigations to include; robbery, kidnappings, gangs, international fugitives, Joint Terrorist Task Force, counterintelligence, child pornography and organized crime. He spent 7 years as the Senior FBI SWAT Team leader for the Jacksonville Division.
In 1999, Agent Dougal was selected for the FBI Hostage Rescue Team where he served five years as an operator and sniper. He deployed on numerous counterrorism operations, bombing investigations and hostage recovery operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Haiti and Yemen. These included the investigation of the bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen and the bombing of the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.
In 2012, Mr. Dougal retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a Major in the Aviation Branch. He is a 1986 graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and holds both commercial airplane and helicopter certifications. In 2014, he obtained Master’s Degree in Homeland Security Studies from Penn State University.
Locaters Investigators
We have male and female undercover agents, many are bilingual.
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