Historically, private investigators and the private investigation industry have been shrouded in mystery. The nature of his practice is to discreetly and covertly acquire information using various investigative methods and technology for the benefit of the client he retains. Some of the technological equipment used is common; however, the methods are industry specific. The private investigation industry has been glamorized by the genre of film noir, mystery, fictional novels, and through various adaptations and variations on the “tough PI” theme. However, today’s private investigator is inclined to be active in his professional capacity both in a corporate environment and in the back alleys that are often depicted in cheap fiction.
Private investigators are typically competent individuals who provide investigative services to individuals, attorneys, corporations, and insurance companies to help them find answers and/or address concerns relevant to their interests. The matters in question can be civil or criminal in nature, requiring the knowledge, experience and skill of a private investigator to resolve or provide clarity. An effective researcher seeks information without bias; The data collected is formalized for the evaluation and use of the client without prejudice or personal opinion of the researcher. Most private investigators do not guarantee the results of an investigation because, as the case unfolds, the discovery may affect the outcome, positively or negatively, supporting or not supporting the client’s objective. The process of conducting an investigation consists of discovering and providing the relevant facts and disseminating this information in a confidential manner to the hiring client. Documenting the findings in the investigative report can be crucial to the Trier of Facts in a short proceeding, provide closure and comfort to aggrieved parties, or help establish a course of action for personal management.
The private investigation industry is large and professionals often develop competencies in one or more areas. Many times this is the result of prior employment in law enforcement or other professions. This creates the pool of knowledge and experience from which the investigator draws to assist clients with their private investigation needs. The professional researcher will also keep abreast of industry developments through networking with other researchers, reading industry magazines and attending seminars, etc. to expand her knowledge base. This effectively causes the private investigator to deliver more value to the client, typically resulting in a higher level of satisfaction and possibly referral to other prospective clients.
The role of the modern private investigator in society is scorned by some people and admired by others; His role is essential to provide a service and fill a need not being met by law enforcement, other quasi-governmental entities, or other professionals. This function has developed in parallel with law enforcement in terms of duration, as law enforcement is sometimes understaffed or prioritizing its resources for cases of higher public importance. There are times when laws restrict the activities of law enforcement personnel as government agents, while private investigators who are private citizens are exempt from these restrictions. However, there are some activities that may be performed by law enforcement personnel that are not authorized by private investigators. Private investigators generally have more anonymity than law enforcement personnel, which can be advantageous for certain case investigations.
The modern private investigator continues to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape in which their services are required. This evolutionary process that affects all of nature ensures the survival of the fittest; those that refuse or are unable to evolve become extinct. This automatically translates to increased industry competition and the requirement to be a top notch effective and efficient private investigator for the ultimate benefit of the client you hire. However, the cloak of mystery still remains and is an essential component of the trade to be effective, but the new breed of private investigators are exponentially smarter than their predecessors.