(General Information)
He or she is a professional researcher, a fact-finder, a truth-seeker.
He or she is a person who is able to follow a logical trail of facts, information, and evidence.
A Private Investigator is someone who can help find the evidence and factual information necessary to make sound decisions.
A Private Investigator is often the last refuge for those who can find no help or guidance through ordinary channels.
A Private Investigator is an ordinary human being, with no police powers, but can often supplement the efforts of Law Enforcement.
A Private Investigator is a problem solver, and can be the instrument of justice for those who have been wronged.
Most importantly, a Private Investigator is someone who does many of the things you could do yourself, but his experience and training allow him to do these things more efficiently and successfully.
Criminal Investigations - In conjunction with an attorney, a Private Investigator can take witness statements, do background information on people connected with the events of the crime, locate people involved or related to the events of the crime, and help the attorney prepare for court.
Security - A Private Investigator can provide security consulting, risk assessment, background checks on employees, investigation of thefts and vandalism, and video surveillance.
Corporate Investigations - fraud, forensic accounting, due diligence, merger investigations.
"Skip Tracing" - A Private Investigator can help find reluctant debtors, missing persons, runaway teenagers, lost relatives, old friends, lost loves.
TCSM - Technical Counter Surveillance Measures - many Private Investigators are trained to ensure that sensitive corporate information is not being stolen via phonetaps, hidden recorders and microphones, and electronic eavesdropping.
Mystery Shopper - Some Private Investigators offer "shopping services", and will play the role of a consumer, and report back to the owner of the establishment to make sure his employees are following the companies rules & regulations.
Process Service - A Private Investigator may offer services to attorneys to deliver court documents.
Undercover Investigation - In which the Private Investigator assumes a role in order to discover information. Example: Posing as an employee to discover employee theft or other illegal or unethical behavior.
Negligence Investigations - Usually in conjunction with a lawsuit, an Investigator can check into claims of negligence or endangerment.
Matrimonial/Domestic Relations - A Private Investigator can help determine if a partner (married or otherwise) is being faithful to you, is hiding assets, or is using their computer to "have a relationship".
Actually, there no limit to what an investigator can do for you, if it involves find out information and facts. He's kind of a truth-seeking handyman, and can usually get the information you need as long as it's obtainable through legal means.
What they do have, as opposed to officers of the law, is time. Our police forces have a lot of responsibilities, many of which have been imposed by a desire for good public relations. Sadly, the emergency line 911 is constantly plagued with requests for officers to perform activities that they shouldn't have to do, activities not directly related to protecting victims, preventing crime, apprehending criminals. I've heard stories of calls to remove a mattress from the street, "tell my neighbor to stop petting my dogs", and "I need someone to take me to the store."
A Private Investigator, on the other hand, can devote as much time as is necessary to the task at hand. Sure, he's charging by the hour, but sometimes that's the only way to find out the truth.
Private Investigators are ususlly very curious people, with a knack for details, and observation. But there is a very wide range of "types" that end up in the field. It's not just for men, either! There are more female Private Investigators every year. There has also been an increase in the number of people who are becoming Private Investigators after working in other careers, who have no Law Enforcement background at all.
On the whole, your average Private Investigator is just like you, or someone you know.
the professional image of licensed Private Investigators.
A licensed Private Investigator must follow a set of
ethical & legal standards, and should put the needs of his client first.
