Final answer:
State, federal, and local public records assist fraud investigations by providing evidence of financial transactions and ownership, searching for potential audit targets, and aiding in background checks on individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
State, federal, and local public records assist fraud investigations in several ways. First, they can provide evidence of financial transactions and ownership, which can help identify fraudulent activities and track the movement of funds. Second, these records can be used to search for potential audit targets by looking for suspicious or irregular financial activities. Finally, they can provide crucial information for background checks on individuals involved in fraudulent activities.