Since they became a thing, private investigators (PIs) have been endlessly popularized in modern culture. From movies to TV shows to books to comics, they’re represented as glamorous individuals, solving problems with nothing but their wits and a peashooter.
What all of the modern media fails to showcase, however, is the full extent of their capabilities. What’s more, there’s hardly anything that focuses on the other side of the medal – the client, their woes, and expectations.
Today, long-term PIs working at Blackledge Investigations headquartered in Manchester, CT, will help us shed some light on their profession, providing invaluable insight into the nature and extent of their services, as well as what you can (and should) expect when hiring them.
What do people use private investigators for?
PIs are hired by private citizens and professionals in many different settings to help them with a variety of tasks that demand specialized skills, primarily in information gathering and uncovering hidden details. These include, but are not limited to:
- Missing person searches: Locating individuals who are lost, missing, or in hiding.
- Background checks: Uncovering someone’s personal history, most commonly before hiring them for the position at a firm or government office but, also, before entering into a personal relationship (less common).
- Fraud investigations: Uncovering fraudulent activities in business, insurance claims, or personal matters.
- Legal investigations: Collecting evidence for court cases or legal disputes.
- Surveillance: Monitoring individuals or businesses discreetly and reporting or collecting evidence on their actions or whereabouts.
- Accident reconstruction: Discovering the cause of the accident by researching and simulating the circumstances under which it happened.
- Civil investigation: Gathering evidence and information necessary to resolve legal issues or disputes that aren’t (necessarily) criminal in nature, typically in family law cases such as:
- Child custody disputes: Collecting evidence that may influence custody arrangements.
- Infidelity investigations: Obtaining proof that the partner is cheating.
- Computer forensics: Gathering data necessary to solve cyber crimes, such as hacking, phishing, or identity theft.
- Identity Theft: Helping restore a person’s lawful privileges by gathering the data necessary to track down individuals responsible and bring them to justice.
- Crime Scene Investigation (CSI): Law enforcement often hires PIs to help find clues and information that can lead them to the person who committed the crime, as well as evidence that can solidify the case in court.
- Criminal investigations: Obtaining proof of unlawful activities, typically in firms, government offices, and insurance agencies, but also in the private sector.
- Financial investigations: Uncovering hidden assets (properties, bank accounts, cash deposits in accounts, etc.).
- General private investigations: PIs are regularly hired by individuals to keep an eye on their loved ones, so as to ensure their safety.
What to expect from a private investigator?
Managing your expectations and keeping them realistic is key to avoiding disappointment when hiring PIs. What you must understand is that they are not miracle workers, although their expertise often makes them appear so.
In other words, they cannot guarantee that their investigation will net the outcome you’re hoping for. What they can guarantee, however, is the following:
- Operating in your best interest: A reputable private investigator will do everything in their power to obtain the information or evidence you need.
- Discretion & confidentiality are non-negotiable in this business. You can always expect your PI to protect your privacy.
- Respecting the legal & ethical boundaries of the target is also a must, as staying within both ensures that the information/evidence gathered is legally admissible.
- Regular updates are implied. A good PI will notify you of the progress of your case, with the frequency or reporting based on agreed-upon terms.
- A detailed report will be provided at the conclusion of the investigation, along with any evidence that it turned out.
Are private investigators worth it?
Private investigators have the expertise to procure critical information and/or evidence required to strengthen your case (legal or otherwise), as well as the ability to do so without compromising your position or interests.
This makes them an invaluable asset in an incredible range of scenarios, especially those that are complex, sensitive, or time-critical. Therefore, you should stop wondering if hiring PIs is worth it – they most certainly are!
