[KISS]

Not exactly after. Suppose...

A------B--X-----C-------------D---------E------Panel

Now suppose there is a short at x.

If I removed the black wires at D and powered the circuit up, the breaker would not blow. So now I put things back and disconnect the black wires at B. Circuit trips. Fault is between B and C. If you had a 100 locations, the test time would be significantly be reduced. Only about 8 or 9 tests, not 100.

Look for evidence of sparking between the screws and the box. Look for loose outlets. Look for anything amis in the outlet you removed.

This is really a job for an ohmmeter.

Another way of doing this is remove everything plugged in except light bulbs.

This is somewhat dangerous.

Get a 40 W light bulb, a three prong plug and a switch. Wire the switch to the narrow tab and then the light bulb in series.

So, it's the brass terminal of a plug, to a switch and from the switch to a light bulb and then to the narrow terminal of another plug. The wider terminals or neutral run to each plug.

With the breaker off, and an extension cord, you can backfeed from any outlet. Since there is a short, the light will glow. Do the disconnecting until the light goes out.

But be very careful.

Probably cheaper to buy a $30 meter.