Apache/FreeBSD tuning - solve hanging processes from Perl, MySQL DBI script

DUE TO CONTRACT RESTRICTIONS, PROGRAMMER MUST BE IN THE UNITED STATES. Seeking help tracking down memory leak or conflicting read/file lock on high-use FreeBSD/Apache system, running a Perl script with very basic MySQL DBI. Program runs well generally but eventually some conflict causes script to hang. Unable to isolate problem, we would like to implement the three methods typically utilized to track down hanging processes: 1) perl trace 2) systems call trace 3) the interactive debugger Acceptable solution will not only solve the problem, but enable these methods for future troubleshooting of similar problems. Server is a FreeBSD virtual server running Apache, script is Perl with some light MySQL DBI routines. THE PROJECT IS QUITE SIMPLE, BUT SINCE THIS SERVER IS IN A PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT, ONLY EXPERIENCED COMPETENT PROGRAMMERS NEED RESPOND.