To hire a private investigator is a very personal decision that most often is made as a result of personal reason or an unpleasant experience. Most people wouldn’t hire a P.I. to find out that they have a faithful spouse, but rather the exact opposite. So private investigators are hired to unravel mysterious cases and find out the truth about a possible unfaithful partner.
If you decide to hire a private investigator, choose a professional. Your case will be for you of a sensitive nature and most often it is very pricy and nobody wants to hire someone who doesn't do the job properly. So what are the ways to tell that your investigator is really one of the best in your area?
With all the information provided here, you should be able to hopefully find and choose the private investigator that is right for you and your needs. Furthermore you might find a lot of information, that come in handy if you wish to become a private investigator yourself, so you have a basic knowledge regarding the actions and steps that are required to obtain your P.I. License.
Obtaining a Private Investigator’s License
Guidelines for obtaining a private investigator’s license, however, vary from state to state.
In order to become a private investigator, every state except Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wyoming require obtaining a private investigator’s license in order to practice as a private investigator. In all other states, practicing without a license in is against the law and subject to jail time.
But, what exactly is private investigation? Thirty one of the states requiring a private investigator’s license define private investigation as “the investigation by a person or persons for the purpose of obtaining information with reference to any of the following matters: The causes and origin of, or responsibility for, fires, libels, slanders, losses, accidents, damage or injuries to real or personal property. The business of securing evidence to be used before investigating committees or boards of award or arbitration or in the trial of civil or criminal cases and the preparation thereof."
Guidelines for obtaining a private investigator’s license, however, vary from state to state. In addition, individual counties and cities may have additional guidelines. For example the city of Fairbanks in Alaska and the cities of Joplin, Kansas City, St. Joseph, St. Louis, and Springfield in Missouri have private investigator license requirement, despite there being no state requirements in these states. Therefore, when looking to get a private investigator’s license, it is important to check on both the state and local level to ensure all requirements are met.
In order to become a private investigator, every state except Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wyoming require obtaining a private investigator’s license in order to practice as a private investigator. In all other states, practicing without a license in is against the law and subject to jail time.
But, what exactly is private investigation? Thirty one of the states requiring a private investigator’s license define private investigation as “the investigation by a person or persons for the purpose of obtaining information with reference to any of the following matters: The causes and origin of, or responsibility for, fires, libels, slanders, losses, accidents, damage or injuries to real or personal property. The business of securing evidence to be used before investigating committees or boards of award or arbitration or in the trial of civil or criminal cases and the preparation thereof."
Guidelines for obtaining a private investigator’s license, however, vary from state to state. In addition, individual counties and cities may have additional guidelines. For example the city of Fairbanks in Alaska and the cities of Joplin, Kansas City, St. Joseph, St. Louis, and Springfield in Missouri have private investigator license requirement, despite there being no state requirements in these states. Therefore, when looking to get a private investigator’s license, it is important to check on both the state and local level to ensure all requirements are met.
Tapping a Phone Line
Covert phone tapping is often accomplished in cooperation with the telephone company...
Covert phone tapping is often accomplished in cooperation with the telephone company, who can easily tap into telephone conversations to assist with law enforcement agencies. It is, however, possible to tap a phone line without going through the telephone company. This is done by creating a direct electrical connection in the phone line near the house. The drawback to an electrical connection is that this can cause a drain in the phone’s power, which can create noise on the phone line.
An induction coil, an electrical device that produces high voltage pulses, can also be used for phone tapping. The coil is placed under a phone base or on the back of the phone handset. The induction coil picks up signals and does not cause a drain in the phone’s power.
Phone recordings can be helpful in collecting and reviewing critical information. When done in a covert fashion, however, care must be taken to ensure the conversation is recorded legally. It not, the person recording the telephone conversation can face fines and jail time. In addition, phone recordings that are illegally created are inadmissible as evidence in the court of law.
Covert phone tapping is often accomplished in cooperation with the telephone company, who can easily tap into telephone conversations to assist with law enforcement agencies. It is, however, possible to tap a phone line without going through the telephone company. This is done by creating a direct electrical connection in the phone line near the house. The drawback to an electrical connection is that this can cause a drain in the phone’s power, which can create noise on the phone line.
An induction coil, an electrical device that produces high voltage pulses, can also be used for phone tapping. The coil is placed under a phone base or on the back of the phone handset. The induction coil picks up signals and does not cause a drain in the phone’s power.
Phone recordings can be helpful in collecting and reviewing critical information. When done in a covert fashion, however, care must be taken to ensure the conversation is recorded legally. It not, the person recording the telephone conversation can face fines and jail time. In addition, phone recordings that are illegally created are inadmissible as evidence in the court of law.
Laws about Phone Recording
Each state and local jurisdiction, however, can have its own rules about telephone recording.
In general, it is legal to record phone conversations if one person participating in the conversation agrees to the recording. For example, if you are talking on the phone with someone, it is perfectly legal for you to record the conversation – because you have agreed to it being taped. Likewise, if a person working with you to help uncover information is talking on the phone, and the person agrees to have the conversation recorded, than this is legal, as well.
Each state and local jurisdiction, however, can have its own rules about telephone recording. Therefore, laws in your area should be checked before recording phone conversations. For example, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington, mandate that all parties give permission before a phone conversation is recorded. For this reason, it is always best to ask for permission to record a conversation at the beginning of the conversation. If you are attempting to record a conversation in a covert fashion, be sure to check laws on both the state and local level before doing so.
Similarly, most states allow you to give permission to place a tap on your own personal phone. This can, of course, affect anyone in the household who chooses to use the phone. State and local laws should be checked into when giving permission to place a tap on your phone. Each jurisdiction may have its own regulations on informing other members of the household about the tap.
This is where phone recordings can get tricky. With wiretapping, neither party on the phone has agreed to have their conversation listened to or recorded. In the United States and in most countries, recording phone conversations without permission is in direct violation of privacy acts.
If, however, the court can be persuaded to allow a phone tap, then it is legal to install one. To get court permission, it must be proved that a phone tap will provide critical evidence to a case. In some jurisdictions, it can be easy to convince the court to allow wire tapping, while other jurisdictions are not so easily swayed. Usually federal agencies are the entities most capable of convincing a court to allow phone tapping.
In general, it is legal to record phone conversations if one person participating in the conversation agrees to the recording. For example, if you are talking on the phone with someone, it is perfectly legal for you to record the conversation – because you have agreed to it being taped. Likewise, if a person working with you to help uncover information is talking on the phone, and the person agrees to have the conversation recorded, than this is legal, as well.
Each state and local jurisdiction, however, can have its own rules about telephone recording. Therefore, laws in your area should be checked before recording phone conversations. For example, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington, mandate that all parties give permission before a phone conversation is recorded. For this reason, it is always best to ask for permission to record a conversation at the beginning of the conversation. If you are attempting to record a conversation in a covert fashion, be sure to check laws on both the state and local level before doing so.
Similarly, most states allow you to give permission to place a tap on your own personal phone. This can, of course, affect anyone in the household who chooses to use the phone. State and local laws should be checked into when giving permission to place a tap on your phone. Each jurisdiction may have its own regulations on informing other members of the household about the tap.
This is where phone recordings can get tricky. With wiretapping, neither party on the phone has agreed to have their conversation listened to or recorded. In the United States and in most countries, recording phone conversations without permission is in direct violation of privacy acts.
If, however, the court can be persuaded to allow a phone tap, then it is legal to install one. To get court permission, it must be proved that a phone tap will provide critical evidence to a case. In some jurisdictions, it can be easy to convince the court to allow wire tapping, while other jurisdictions are not so easily swayed. Usually federal agencies are the entities most capable of convincing a court to allow phone tapping.
Making a Phone Recording
Making a phone recording can be really quite simple.
Making a phone recording can be really quite simple. Devices that can be plugged into a phone jack are, perhaps, the easiest way to make a phone recording. These devices automatically begin recording when the phone is taken off the hook, and stop recording when the phone is returned to its place. Unfortunately, these devices may not be practical for covert phone recordings, because the device added to the jack is pretty obvious to see. This type of device is best used when recording your personal phone conversations from your own phone.
Coil taps can also be used to record your own telephone conversations. Coil taps are simply wire coils with an exposed conductive patch. These taps attach to the mouthpiece of the phone. Once again, a coil tap is obvious to the person using the phone and should not be used in a covert investigative operation. These telephone recording devices are, however, handy when gathering data or when interviewing people, because the conversation can be referred to later.
Making a phone recording can be really quite simple. Devices that can be plugged into a phone jack are, perhaps, the easiest way to make a phone recording. These devices automatically begin recording when the phone is taken off the hook, and stop recording when the phone is returned to its place. Unfortunately, these devices may not be practical for covert phone recordings, because the device added to the jack is pretty obvious to see. This type of device is best used when recording your personal phone conversations from your own phone.
Coil taps can also be used to record your own telephone conversations. Coil taps are simply wire coils with an exposed conductive patch. These taps attach to the mouthpiece of the phone. Once again, a coil tap is obvious to the person using the phone and should not be used in a covert investigative operation. These telephone recording devices are, however, handy when gathering data or when interviewing people, because the conversation can be referred to later.
What can I legally do?
As a private investigator, it is important to be aware of what types of surveillance can be completed legally.
As a private investigator, it is important to be aware of what types of surveillance can be completed legally. Similarly, it is important to know how to work within the law to ensure all surveillance is done in a legal fashion. This not only helps you stay out of legal trouble, it also makes it possible to use your surveillance information in a criminal or civil case.
In part, the federal law states:
This just means that it is legal to intercept and record information if you are participating in the communication, whether by phone, radio or in person. For example, it is ok for you to tap your own telephone and record conversations. Likewise, if you plant a microphone and tape recorder on your body and have a conversation with someone for investigative purposes, you are working within the guidelines of the law. It is also legal to intercept and record communication if one person involved in the conversation has given their consent, even if you are not involved in the communication yourself.
As a private investigator, it is important to be aware of what types of surveillance can be completed legally. Similarly, it is important to know how to work within the law to ensure all surveillance is done in a legal fashion. This not only helps you stay out of legal trouble, it also makes it possible to use your surveillance information in a criminal or civil case.
In part, the federal law states:
“It shall not be unlawful under this chapter for a person not acting under color of law to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication where such person is a party to the communication or where one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to such interception unless such communication is intercepted for the purpose of committing any criminal or tortious act in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States or of any State.”
This just means that it is legal to intercept and record information if you are participating in the communication, whether by phone, radio or in person. For example, it is ok for you to tap your own telephone and record conversations. Likewise, if you plant a microphone and tape recorder on your body and have a conversation with someone for investigative purposes, you are working within the guidelines of the law. It is also legal to intercept and record communication if one person involved in the conversation has given their consent, even if you are not involved in the communication yourself.
What is Surveillance?
Put simply, surveillance can include telephone tapping, eavesdropping, cameras and video recording.
According to Federal law, a person is conducting surveillance if he:
Put simply, surveillance can include telephone tapping, eavesdropping, any form of communication interception (by phone, computer, or radio), the use of directional microphones, the use of covert listening devices (i.e. “bugs”), closed-circuit television, and miniature cameras and video recorders, all of which are used to gain information about a person with or without that person’s knowing or consent.
According to Federal law, a person is conducting surveillance if he:
“Intentionally intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept, any wire, oral, or electronic communication; intentionally uses, endeavors to use, or procures any other person to use or endeavor to use any electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept any oral communication when such device is affixed to, or otherwise transmits a signal through, a wire, cable, or other like connection used in wire communication; or such device transmits communications by radio, or interferes with the transmission of such communication”
Put simply, surveillance can include telephone tapping, eavesdropping, any form of communication interception (by phone, computer, or radio), the use of directional microphones, the use of covert listening devices (i.e. “bugs”), closed-circuit television, and miniature cameras and video recorders, all of which are used to gain information about a person with or without that person’s knowing or consent.
Private Investigators - Tools of the Trade
One of the great benefits of being a private investigator is all of the great gadgets and toys available on the market.
A person doesn’t have to be a private investigator to buy these investigative tools, but it makes for an excellent excuse. From counter-surveillance equipment, to handy disguising devises, to high tech listening devices – a successful private investigator has it all!
Of course, no private investigator would be complete without a badge. A variety of private investigator badges are available through mail order and online catalogues, but the gadgets and tools available to private investigators move beyond simple badges.
One great example is diversion safes. A private investigator might find the need to hide valuable objects. Or, bugs and other recording or monitoring devices might need to be hidden, then placed inside a home or business. A wide variety of diversion safes for this purpose are available. Some of these safes are well-known novels that are hollow inside. Other examples are hollowed out brand name food containers, soda cans, and cleaning products that can be opened from the bottom. These safes allow for the covert placement of investigative devices just about anywhere.
But what sort of investigative devices can go inside these diversion safes? For the private investigator that needs to videotape evidence, tiny color video cameras – smaller than a dime – are available. Tiny listening devices are also available.
On one hand, a private investigator might need a large listening device that allows for eavesdropping into conversations from far away. Shotgun microphones and parabolic microphone systems are great for this purpose. The most highly regarded parabolic microphone system is the Gibson. This microphone is known around the world for its ability to transmit and record the sounds of a bird one mile away.
On the other hand, listening to a conversation might just require eavesdropping through a wall. For this purpose, private investigators use contact surface microphones. These microphones look similar to a doctor’s stethoscope. When one end is placed against a wall, faint sounds can be heard through almost any solid surface.
In other cases, gaining and recording information might require talking to the person who is under investigation. Or, it might involve talking to people who are close to the person under investigation. Of course, these people are unlikely to agree to their conversations being recorded. So, no private investigator’s toolbox is complete without a body microphone system or tie clip microphone. These devices can be attached discreetly to the private investigator’s body or tie and can pick up sounds up to 1000 feet away.
Telephone conversations can also be easily recorded by the private investigator. Devices are available that turn any standard tape recorder into a telephone tape recorder. These devices are easily plugged into phone jacks. They begin recording as soon as the telephone headset is picked up, then stop recording when the telephone is set back on the hook. This is helpful for a private investigator that wants to record his own telephone conversations. Or, the device can be placed discreetly on the phone jack of the person being investigated to record incriminating phone conversations.
For the private investigator that completes phone calls through his computer, he can purchase a digital telephone recorder instead. These recorders tape and save digital conversations. They also record the name and address of the caller for future reference.
On the other hand, a private investigator might want to block others from recording his conversations. For this reason, tap detectors and guards are also available. These detectors and guards alert the private investigator if someone is attempting to tap into his conversation.
Other phone guard devices can alert the private investigator if a secondary extension on the phone has been picked up. Better still, these guards can be installed on all extensions and the extension picked up by the private investigator will automatically disconnect all other extensions, guaranteeing a private telephone conversation.
For the private investigator using special powders that detect ultraviolet (UV), or blacklight, rays, a multitude of UV detecting kits are available. These range from palm sized UV flashlights to pens. Special UV marking pens are also available. When an object is written on with one of these pens, the markings are undetectable. But, shining an UV light on the writing will bring it instantly to view.
Often, a private investigator will need a regular flashlight, too. These are useful when snooping through dark rooms. But, large flashlights can be too cumbersome for the private investigator to carry. For this reason, tiny flashlights smaller than a ballpoint pen are available. Despite their small size, these flashlights are often brighter than standard flashlights.
Another great tool for the private investigator is vehicle-tracking equipment. Through high tech satellite and Internet technology, the private investigator can track everywhere a vehicle goes. These handy gadgets have one component that can be attached magnetically to the car of the person being investigated. This motion-activated component sends information back to the private investigator. Here, the information can be downloaded and reports can be generated, including maps of where the car went and the routes it took. Some of these tracking devices are even small enough to fit in the palm of the private investigator’s hand.
Private investigators have a wide array of gadgets and tools available to them. With these tools, no case is unsolvable.
A person doesn’t have to be a private investigator to buy these investigative tools, but it makes for an excellent excuse. From counter-surveillance equipment, to handy disguising devises, to high tech listening devices – a successful private investigator has it all!
Of course, no private investigator would be complete without a badge. A variety of private investigator badges are available through mail order and online catalogues, but the gadgets and tools available to private investigators move beyond simple badges.
One great example is diversion safes. A private investigator might find the need to hide valuable objects. Or, bugs and other recording or monitoring devices might need to be hidden, then placed inside a home or business. A wide variety of diversion safes for this purpose are available. Some of these safes are well-known novels that are hollow inside. Other examples are hollowed out brand name food containers, soda cans, and cleaning products that can be opened from the bottom. These safes allow for the covert placement of investigative devices just about anywhere.
But what sort of investigative devices can go inside these diversion safes? For the private investigator that needs to videotape evidence, tiny color video cameras – smaller than a dime – are available. Tiny listening devices are also available.
On one hand, a private investigator might need a large listening device that allows for eavesdropping into conversations from far away. Shotgun microphones and parabolic microphone systems are great for this purpose. The most highly regarded parabolic microphone system is the Gibson. This microphone is known around the world for its ability to transmit and record the sounds of a bird one mile away.
On the other hand, listening to a conversation might just require eavesdropping through a wall. For this purpose, private investigators use contact surface microphones. These microphones look similar to a doctor’s stethoscope. When one end is placed against a wall, faint sounds can be heard through almost any solid surface.
In other cases, gaining and recording information might require talking to the person who is under investigation. Or, it might involve talking to people who are close to the person under investigation. Of course, these people are unlikely to agree to their conversations being recorded. So, no private investigator’s toolbox is complete without a body microphone system or tie clip microphone. These devices can be attached discreetly to the private investigator’s body or tie and can pick up sounds up to 1000 feet away.
Telephone conversations can also be easily recorded by the private investigator. Devices are available that turn any standard tape recorder into a telephone tape recorder. These devices are easily plugged into phone jacks. They begin recording as soon as the telephone headset is picked up, then stop recording when the telephone is set back on the hook. This is helpful for a private investigator that wants to record his own telephone conversations. Or, the device can be placed discreetly on the phone jack of the person being investigated to record incriminating phone conversations.
For the private investigator that completes phone calls through his computer, he can purchase a digital telephone recorder instead. These recorders tape and save digital conversations. They also record the name and address of the caller for future reference.
On the other hand, a private investigator might want to block others from recording his conversations. For this reason, tap detectors and guards are also available. These detectors and guards alert the private investigator if someone is attempting to tap into his conversation.
Other phone guard devices can alert the private investigator if a secondary extension on the phone has been picked up. Better still, these guards can be installed on all extensions and the extension picked up by the private investigator will automatically disconnect all other extensions, guaranteeing a private telephone conversation.
For the private investigator using special powders that detect ultraviolet (UV), or blacklight, rays, a multitude of UV detecting kits are available. These range from palm sized UV flashlights to pens. Special UV marking pens are also available. When an object is written on with one of these pens, the markings are undetectable. But, shining an UV light on the writing will bring it instantly to view.
Often, a private investigator will need a regular flashlight, too. These are useful when snooping through dark rooms. But, large flashlights can be too cumbersome for the private investigator to carry. For this reason, tiny flashlights smaller than a ballpoint pen are available. Despite their small size, these flashlights are often brighter than standard flashlights.
Another great tool for the private investigator is vehicle-tracking equipment. Through high tech satellite and Internet technology, the private investigator can track everywhere a vehicle goes. These handy gadgets have one component that can be attached magnetically to the car of the person being investigated. This motion-activated component sends information back to the private investigator. Here, the information can be downloaded and reports can be generated, including maps of where the car went and the routes it took. Some of these tracking devices are even small enough to fit in the palm of the private investigator’s hand.
Private investigators have a wide array of gadgets and tools available to them. With these tools, no case is unsolvable.
What Can You Do with the Information?
Knowing the law regarding surveillance will help keep you out of trouble.
According to federal law, any information that is gained legally, as described on this site, can be shared with whomever you choose.
Covert surveillance is an excellent way to gain information when performing a private investigation. Fail to follow the law, and you can find yourself in being faced with fines and jail time. Be sure to follow the law, and the information can be shared with clients and used in legal proceedings, making your time performing surveillance meaningful.
According to federal law, any information that is gained legally, as described on this site, can be shared with whomever you choose.
Covert surveillance is an excellent way to gain information when performing a private investigation. Fail to follow the law, and you can find yourself in being faced with fines and jail time. Be sure to follow the law, and the information can be shared with clients and used in legal proceedings, making your time performing surveillance meaningful.
Federal Law Regarding Surveillance
Knowing the law regarding surveillance will help keep you out of trouble.
Federal law states:
Simply put, this means that any information transmitted over radio waves is fair game. So, you can intercept and record information from two-way radios or any communication that takes place on CB’s or any other type of radio.
Furthermore, federal law states:
This means that computer communication can be accessed if the person who owns the computer gives permission. Of course, this isn’t likely to happen if the person is guilty of something. But, if an innocent person is receiving communication through his or her computer from someone who is guilty, you can intercept the information from that person’s computer if he or she gives you permission. It is also legal to intercept this communication if there are reasonable grounds that the information will aid in an investigation.
Federal law states:
“It shall not be unlawful under this chapter or chapter 121 of this title for any person to intercept or access an electronic communication made through an electronic communication system that is configured so that such electronic communication is readily accessible to the general public; to intercept any radio communication which is transmitted by any station for the use of the general public, or that relates to ships, aircraft, vehicles, or persons in distress; by any governmental, law enforcement, civil defense, private land mobile, or public safety communications system, including police and fire, readily accessible to the general public; by a station operating on an authorized frequency within the bands allocated to the amateur, citizens band, or general mobile radio services; or by any marine or aeronautical communications system”
Simply put, this means that any information transmitted over radio waves is fair game. So, you can intercept and record information from two-way radios or any communication that takes place on CB’s or any other type of radio.
Furthermore, federal law states:
“It shall not be unlawful under this chapter for a person acting under color of law to intercept the wire or electronic communications of a computer trespasser transmitted to, through, or from the protected computer, if the owner or operator of the protected computer authorizes the interception of the computer trespasser’s communications on the protected computer; the person acting under color of law is lawfully engaged in an investigation; the person acting under color of law has reasonable grounds to believe that the contents of the computer trespasser’s communications will be relevant to the investigation; and such interception does not acquire communications other than those transmitted to or from the computer trespasser.”
This means that computer communication can be accessed if the person who owns the computer gives permission. Of course, this isn’t likely to happen if the person is guilty of something. But, if an innocent person is receiving communication through his or her computer from someone who is guilty, you can intercept the information from that person’s computer if he or she gives you permission. It is also legal to intercept this communication if there are reasonable grounds that the information will aid in an investigation.
Check References
If your investigator is unable to supply references, check for media coverage for an investigation.
If you feel comfortable with the investigator, he seems to be professional, he appears to have the experience necessary to get the job done, and his rates and expenses are acceptable, tell him you are interested in working with him but that you would like to check into a few references first. Because of the confidentiality associated with private investigation, your potential investigator might not be able to provide you with names. If he does, though, make contact with a few references to find out how satisfied they were with the investigator’s job performance.
If your investigator is unable to supply references, ask him if he has ever received media coverage for an investigation. Most investigators will maintain a scrapbook of any such coverage, which you can look through to get a feel of the potential investigator’s job performance and success. Of course, some investigators prefer to remain low-key, so media coverage might also be unavailable.
Hiring a private investigator should never be rushed into. If the investigation is important enough to be done in the first place, it is important enough to be done right.
If you feel comfortable with the investigator, he seems to be professional, he appears to have the experience necessary to get the job done, and his rates and expenses are acceptable, tell him you are interested in working with him but that you would like to check into a few references first. Because of the confidentiality associated with private investigation, your potential investigator might not be able to provide you with names. If he does, though, make contact with a few references to find out how satisfied they were with the investigator’s job performance.
If your investigator is unable to supply references, ask him if he has ever received media coverage for an investigation. Most investigators will maintain a scrapbook of any such coverage, which you can look through to get a feel of the potential investigator’s job performance and success. Of course, some investigators prefer to remain low-key, so media coverage might also be unavailable.
Hiring a private investigator should never be rushed into. If the investigation is important enough to be done in the first place, it is important enough to be done right.
Meet ‘Em Up Close and Personal
During the interview, you should be asking a lot of questions.
Now that you have completed the background work, it is time to start meeting with some investigators personally.
The first step in this phase can be completed by a simple phone call. Go through your list of remaining investigators and ask each one if he has an area of specialty. You’re looking for the best investigator your money can buy. Therefore, an investigator who might do a great job specializing in missing people still might not be the best choice for you if you are looking to gain information about your family inheritance.
If an investigator you contact says he specializes in an area that is unrelated to your need, of if he says he is just a general investigator, thank him for his time and move on. When looking for the best investigator, you want someone with a wealth of experience in the area of investigation you need.
For those investigators who do specialize in your area of need, ask to set up an interview. During the interview, you should be asking a lot of questions. The best private investigators, however, will ask you an abundance of questions, too. This is the sign of a seasoned professional who takes his job seriously. By asking you questions, he is already beginning the investigation and trying to determine if you are a legitimate client whose needs he can meet.
During the interview, you should feel comfortable with the investigator and you should feel as if he is interested in your case. If you don’t feel this way, move on to the next investigator on your list.
At the interview, ask the investigator to go into greater detail about his professional experience. In general, the best investigators are the ones who have been in the field for a number of years and who have worked on cases similar to yours. Ask him how he goes about solving these cases and ask him his success rate in solving them.
At this meeting, the investigator should also make his hourly rates and expenses clear to you. Expenses can include travel costs, equipment, and hiring of additional investigators. He should be able to give you an idea of how long the investigation will take, depending on the type of investigation. An investigator who is not upfront about the costs involved in the investigation, or one who includes unreasonable expenses, should be avoided.
Now that you have completed the background work, it is time to start meeting with some investigators personally.
The first step in this phase can be completed by a simple phone call. Go through your list of remaining investigators and ask each one if he has an area of specialty. You’re looking for the best investigator your money can buy. Therefore, an investigator who might do a great job specializing in missing people still might not be the best choice for you if you are looking to gain information about your family inheritance.
If an investigator you contact says he specializes in an area that is unrelated to your need, of if he says he is just a general investigator, thank him for his time and move on. When looking for the best investigator, you want someone with a wealth of experience in the area of investigation you need.
For those investigators who do specialize in your area of need, ask to set up an interview. During the interview, you should be asking a lot of questions. The best private investigators, however, will ask you an abundance of questions, too. This is the sign of a seasoned professional who takes his job seriously. By asking you questions, he is already beginning the investigation and trying to determine if you are a legitimate client whose needs he can meet.
During the interview, you should feel comfortable with the investigator and you should feel as if he is interested in your case. If you don’t feel this way, move on to the next investigator on your list.
At the interview, ask the investigator to go into greater detail about his professional experience. In general, the best investigators are the ones who have been in the field for a number of years and who have worked on cases similar to yours. Ask him how he goes about solving these cases and ask him his success rate in solving them.
At this meeting, the investigator should also make his hourly rates and expenses clear to you. Expenses can include travel costs, equipment, and hiring of additional investigators. He should be able to give you an idea of how long the investigation will take, depending on the type of investigation. An investigator who is not upfront about the costs involved in the investigation, or one who includes unreasonable expenses, should be avoided.
Check with the Licensing Board
An investigator working without a license has complete disregard for the law.
Before you consider hiring a private investigator for hire, check with the local licensing board. The licensing board can provide you with a list of investigators who are licensed to work in your area.
If you encounter a private investigator that does not have a license, don’t even consider hiring him. An investigator working without a license has complete disregard for the law. Furthermore, an investigator without a license is likely to be hiding something undesirable, such as a criminal record or a lack of experience. In either case, this investigator is not right for you.
On the other hand, most states have strict guidelines for obtaining a private investigator’s license, including background checks, proof of applicable experience, and insurance. An investigator with a license has met these expectations and is more likely to be a competent private investigator.
After obtaining a list of licensed private investigators, ask the licensing board if any complaints have been filed against the investigators on the list. In most cases, the board will give you this information if you ask. Don’t, however, discount an investigator right off the bat if he has had a complaint filed against him. Look at the complaints and try to determine if they seem valid or trivial. Some people just like to complain, and the investigator shouldn’t be punished for coming in contact with one of these people.
After sifting through the complaints and narrowing down your list of potential investigators, contact the Better Business Bureau. Ask if any complaints have been filed against the investigators remaining on your list. Also, some investigators work for a company or have their own privately owned investigative business. Be sure to check into these names with the Better Business Bureau, as well.
Before you consider hiring a private investigator for hire, check with the local licensing board. The licensing board can provide you with a list of investigators who are licensed to work in your area.
If you encounter a private investigator that does not have a license, don’t even consider hiring him. An investigator working without a license has complete disregard for the law. Furthermore, an investigator without a license is likely to be hiding something undesirable, such as a criminal record or a lack of experience. In either case, this investigator is not right for you.
On the other hand, most states have strict guidelines for obtaining a private investigator’s license, including background checks, proof of applicable experience, and insurance. An investigator with a license has met these expectations and is more likely to be a competent private investigator.
After obtaining a list of licensed private investigators, ask the licensing board if any complaints have been filed against the investigators on the list. In most cases, the board will give you this information if you ask. Don’t, however, discount an investigator right off the bat if he has had a complaint filed against him. Look at the complaints and try to determine if they seem valid or trivial. Some people just like to complain, and the investigator shouldn’t be punished for coming in contact with one of these people.
After sifting through the complaints and narrowing down your list of potential investigators, contact the Better Business Bureau. Ask if any complaints have been filed against the investigators remaining on your list. Also, some investigators work for a company or have their own privately owned investigative business. Be sure to check into these names with the Better Business Bureau, as well.
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