What to Expect During a Private Investigation: A Step-By-Step Guide

Many have a clear mental image of a private investigator thanks to books, movies, and TV shows. They work out of a dark, cluttered, and sometimes smoky office and welcome a steady stream of walk-in clients.

However, these professionals do more than conduct stakeouts and potential badger suspects. They also gather hard-to-find information and help businesses and individuals with various legal issues.

Consultation

Most states require private investigator Rochester, NY, to be licensed and insured. Ask the PI you’re interviewing for their license number and to see physical proof of insurance. They should have no problem providing this information. Additionally, ask how long they’ve worked as a private investigator and whether or not they’ve ever worked your type of case. Most professional investigation firms have multiple investigators with specialties and areas of expertise.

It’s also important to note that a PI cannot guarantee the results of an investigation. If a client hires a PI to find out if their husband is cheating on them, the PI can tell them what evidence there might be but can’t guarantee the outcome. This is a fact that many clients find disconcerting. However, a skilled PI will know how to gather enough evidence to present in court. This can include depositions, witness interviews, and surveillance footage.

Planning

Private investigators handle various cases, such as workers’ compensation claims, insurance fraud, domestic abuse involving employees, and corporate investigations related to theft and accounting errors.

During the planning phase, the PI will discuss the case with the client and understand what they want and hope to achieve through the investigation. The PI will then determine how long it may take to complete the assignment.

When hiring a PI, it is important to ask if they are licensed, what type of license, and to verify the information with their state or country’s licensing agency. It would help to ask whether they are part of professional organizations. Membership in these associations will give you a good idea of their qualifications and credibility. The PI may also conduct a background check on their client to ensure they are safe to conduct the investigation and aren’t targeted by criminals or gangs.

Working the Case

Private investigators dig up information, gather evidence and conduct surveillance. They may work for law firms, businesses, individuals, or government agencies. Unlike the highly fictionalized portrayals in movies, real-life PIs must follow strict legal parameters when collecting evidence to avoid violating laws and getting arrested.

Whether investigating fraud, tracking down missing persons, or gathering employee statements, they provide solid and reliable proof for their clients. Depending on the case, they can do this through written reports, photos, or video footage.

Before you hire a PI, ask them for references and check their membership in professional organizations. This will help you weed out fly-by-night companies not interested in keeping up with the latest legislation and continuing education. Also, be sure to find out their working hours, as some cases require them to work outside traditional business hours or overnight. This is especially true for those who investigate cheating spouses or criminals.

Evidence Analysis

Many people have a clear mental image of the stereotypical private investigator thanks to movies and TV shows. They work out of a dimly lit, sometimes smoky office and greet a stream of walk-in clients who have been wronged in one way or another.

Private investigators must have excellent written and verbal communication skills because they must conduct interviews, speak with family members of missing persons and collaborate with police officers. They must also document their investigations by writing reports.

Some cases, such as a client suspecting infidelity during a divorce, require PIs to follow the target and document where they go and who they meet. This is a delicate task because private investigators must respect laws governing the expectation of privacy.

Ask your prospective PI how he plans to update you on his progress. Ideally, he should provide you with daily or weekly email reports or a telephone call. He should also provide you with copies of any photographic evidence.