Investigation equals information

The business of private investigations is information! So how does a private investigator get that information? Well, the majority is obtained through surveillance and interviews. For workers compensation investigations photographic “information” is vital. The insurance company wants photographic evidence of the claimant doing some kind of physical activity that would be impossible or very difficult to do with an alleged injury. A person receiving workers compensation checks for an extended period of time realizes the probability of being watched. If the injury is feigned, he or she must be careful when in the public view, not to do a physical feat with ease. Typically the claim is a bad back or neck and lifting bricks or building a new addition to the home might very well terminate any further payments. Since most long time claimants realize a private investigator might be hired, they are careful in public, but a good investigator will dig deeper. Sometimes an eight or ten foot walls or fence might “protect” the claimant’s home, but investigators think outside the box. If there is a suspicion of work or activity going on in the backyard, the chase is on for the video and photographs. Of course the private investigator must play by the rules (legal rules) and he cannot trespass or violate the claimants privacy. Sometimes “renting” a second floor room adjacent to the home, and photographing activity in the backyard can overcome the large fence. Private investigator Kerry Brown wrote in his book a technique he used to draw a subject outside in public view. The basic technique was to set up a scenario in front of the claimant’s home when it was known he was home. By making a drama of looking for a lost expensive diamond ring in front of the home, it is hoped the claimant comes outside. Later, leave after not being able to find this $5,000 ring. Your partner then photographs the claimant on his hands and knees and bending over on the lawn trying to find the ring.
Photographic information is also important, but not critical in matrimony investigations. Most clients want pictures of the cheating significant other, and most times these pictures are easier to obtain than workers comp video. Lovers may freely walk hand and hand in public, or walk into a hotel together. The private investigator then can gather collateral information on which room, under what name and length of stay. Following the couple will generally reveal who the cheater is.
Information is also gathered through digital resources such as databases, which will be discussed later

Investigation Websites

It can be fun and entertaining to surf the net and explore the huge amount of private investigation and security websites. It’s a good way to become familiar with the many services offered by investigators. One thing that makes me turn my head away, is when an agency purports to “ do all”
When an agency lists 12 or 15 “ specialties” I began to have some serious doubts of their competence in all fields. Naturally, there are exceptions, notably when it is a very large investigation agency that has a sizable in house staffing. One example of a well known, international private investigation agency is http://www.kroll.com/ If you have the need for a well established agency, particularly for business needs, check out Kroll. Another example is http://www.investigation.com/ and http://www.diversifiedriskmanagement.com/
The reality for most investigative websites is the agency advertises all specialties, then simply sub contracts out the assignment, taking a little portion of the fee. http://www.factfind.com/ Remember, that vast majority of private investigation agencies in the United States or one or two firms.
Have the need for a pre employment background, took a look at http://www.usis.com/ USIS has done a lot of work providing secret clearance backgrounds for the government. Always deal with a background screening company that is FCRA compliant. We will discuss this federal law in later posts, but let it be know that it is very important that you contract with a pre employment screening company that expressly sates they follow all FCRA requirements. Liability can easily fall on your business shoulders if there is a background miss managed.

Screen Your PI

There are there a few basic steps you should use to “qualify” the hiring of a private investigator.in essence you need to do a little investigating of your own. Basic backgrounds are helpful, such as verifying the state investigator’s license, in the states where it is required. Insure it is valid and many states allow you to review any discipline actions taken against an agency. Bear in mind, a disciple action in of itself does not mean the agency is bad. What was the violation? Was it an administrative oversight? How long ago were the violations reported? Was corrective action taken?
Check to ensure the investigation agency insured and for want amount. Is the amount minimal required in that state?
Generally, insurance companies or worker comp funds require at least 2 million dollars in errors and omissions and liability. This helps insulate the client from frivolous litigation and minimize serious financial hits if things go very bad.
There are state private investigation associations in almost all states. Ascertain if the agency you would like to hire is a member and if so, in good standing. If you want take the “extra” step and call the local chapter to possibly find another private investigator who knows the one you are considering hiring. Along the same lines, ask the investigator you would like to hire for references. Make the call and ask about how ethical and professional the investigator acted and would he hire him again.
Finally, discuss the rates and expenses the agency will charge. Mileage, how much per mile? Tolls? Over night stays in a hotel if needed. Will your assignment require the rental of tech equipment? Will these be put forth in a contract?
Another informal aspect is the ease of contacting your investigator and how responsive he or she is to returning your telephone calls.
All of these mini standards will assist you, but not guarantee, satisfactory results or efforts. As I said before, similar issues are confronting you when you are seeking services from a lot of other professions such as doctors and lawyers.
www.globalpinetwork.com does some of these checks on the clients behalf, but ultimately, the choose squarely falls on you, the client to make a selection.

Hiring a private investigation agency

Thinking about hiring a private investigator? Like any other profession, doctors, lawyers, plumbers etc there are good and bad. As a consumer, how what criteria should you use in selecting the private detective?
Well, first of all, you must know the location of where the majority of the assignment will take place. At minimum know the state or province. This is a starting point in your search for a private investigator. This does not mean to say the case will transverse into other geographically areas or even occasionally into another country. So for our purposes, we will hire a detective from Florida. If possible, narrow the search down to a specific city, such as Orlando.
Next, as a client, know what your own objectives are in satisfying a successful conclusion to your case. If you trying to catch a cheating spouse, how much information do you want? Do you want the name and total background of your spouse’s new lover, or simply the fact he or she has been spending time with another. Do you want photographs? For the most part, forget about photographs of your spouse during the actual intimate encounter…that’s mostly in the movies, or the client paying through the nose for such kinds of “evidence” Usually, it is capturing moments of the couple dining out or in a parking lot, or walking into a home or hotel. Remember, you’re paying by the hour. Knowing ahead of time at what point in the investigation to call it quits may save you money.
As I said before in my blog, there are many “specialties” in the investigation field. Your job is now to find an investigator, with your required expertise in a certain city.
How do you even start to look? You guessed it the Internet is on the top of the list! That’s not to say other avenues should not be explored, such as a friend or business associate who has utilized the services of a private investigator. Talk with them and get a feel. Maybe your attorney may suggest a detective. Of course, I would suggest a look at www.gloablpinetwork.com for personalized searches.
The net certainly has “directories” or “listing” of private investigators. If you have the time to search and call there is no doubt you will locate a few in the area you need.
But, what questions should you ask to qualify the agency?
Lets me talk briefly on that next topic.