What Do Private Investigators Do?

What Do Private Investigators Do?

A private investigator (PI) is a professional who is hired by individuals, corporations, or law firms to gather information and solve problems. They use various techniques, proprietary resources, and technologically sophisticated tools to gather evidence, conduct interviews, and perform surveillance to support their clients’ needs. The nature of their work may be considered covert, and that’s often why individuals or businesses interested in hiring a private investigator frequently ask, what do private investigators do? 

PI’s are not law enforcement officers, so they do not have the power to arrest or detain suspects. However, they can legally carry out investigations and gather evidence to support their clients’ cases. Private investigators are authorized to carry out activities such as background checks, surveillance, and asset searches.

During the past few decades, private investigators were mostly associated with criminal cases, but today, what private investigators do is:  provide a wide range investigative or information gathering services to a diverse client base. Some common examples of what do private investigators do include:

• Background checks: PI’s can gather information about a person’s criminal history, employment history, education, and financial background. This information can be useful for employers, landlords, or individuals who want to make informed decisions about a person.

• Surveillance: PI’s use various methods to conduct surveillance and monitor the movements and activities of individuals. This can include video and audio recording, following individuals, and tracking their movements.

• Infidelity investigations: PI’s can be hired to gather evidence of infidelity in a marriage or relationship. This may include gathering evidence of an affair, such as photos, videos, or audio recordings.

• Fraud investigations: PI’s can be hired to investigate cases of fraud, such as financial fraud, insurance fraud, or workers’ compensation fraud. They can gather evidence to support criminal investigations or to support a civil lawsuit.

• Missing persons investigations: PI’s can be hired to find missing persons and gather information about their whereabouts. They use various techniques, such as public record searches, social media analysis, and surveillance, to gather information about missing individuals.

It is important to note that private investigators are subject to various laws and regulations, and they must operate within the bounds of the law. For example, they are not allowed to break into a person’s home or vehicle to gather evidence, and they cannot use illegal means to obtain information.

In addition, private investigators must maintain the confidentiality of their clients and the information they gather. They are also required to protect the privacy of the individuals they are investigating and to avoid any actions that may infringe upon their rights.

What a private investigator can do is also impacted by their experience, skillset, and location. Private investigators play a crucial role in solving a wide range of problems and gathering information to support their clients’ needs. They use various techniques and tools to gather evidence and conduct investigations, but they must operate fully within the limitation of federal, state, and local law while protecting the privacy and rights of the individuals they are investigating. If you are considering hiring a private investigator, it is important to find a reputable and experienced professional who is familiar with the laws and regulations in your area.