PInow.com Investigator Center

Important Technology for Private Investigators in 2023

2023-03-31T00:00:00-06:00

Private investigators rely on their investigative skills, keen intuition, and in today’s day and age, technology, to investigate cases of fraud, infidelity, missing persons, unsolved crimes, and more. While no technology can totally replace the work that investigators do, it can make the job easier and more efficient. Let’s take a look at what technology is important for private investigators in 2023.

Database Access

When PIs are searching for an individual, the first stop is to check the electronic paper trail to try and locate the individual. Sometimes, investigators may have a license plate number, which can break open a case. Having access to license plate databases can significantly improve the chances of locating the target individual. Known as skip tracing, this investigative tactic involves gathering some basic information and inputting it into a database in hopes of locating a valid address for an individual. This is often done by process servers who are attempting to serve an individual with court documents, but private investigators also utilize this technique to find missing persons. For a list of databases that are useful to investigators, check out this previous article on what databases PIs recommend.

Camera & Equipment

For private investigators, having a camera and related equipment is a must, especially those who are working a stakeout or doing any type of surveillance. Smartphones are an excellent resource and can be useful in a number of ways, but their cameras often don’t have the zoom capability to really provide a clear image of the target from a distance. Investigators should invest in a camera, quality lenses with various zoom capabilities, memory cards, and batteries to collect evidence from their time spent surveilling a subject. New cameras may have built-in video capabilities, so it may not be necessary for an investigator to purchase that separately. However, having the ability to take both still images and video is part of the tools of the trade that investigators should have.

Voice Recording Tech

Microphones, bugs, and interview recorders all serve an important purpose for investigators. There may be situations where an investigator needs to be a fly on the wall to obtain evidence. Conversely, an investigator may conduct interviews that should be recorded. Recorded interviews provide a record of exactly what was said without worrying about transcription errors, failed memories, or misinterpreted tone. This can be helpful for an investigator who is going through the evidence and information later to dig up more leads, or it can be useful as evidence later in a court case. Some smartphones have apps that can do a great job of recording in a pinch, but investigators who conduct a lot of interviews may want to invest in more advanced recording devices. It is important that investigators are always cognizant of the recording consent laws in their state so that they do not inadvertently break the law while doing the job.

Bug Sweeping Device for Technical Surveillance Countermeasure

For private investigators who perform bug sweeps to try and locate hidden GPS tags, voice recorders, or video recorders, having a bug sweeping device is a required form of tech. For those unfamiliar with TSCM, read more about technical surveillance countermeasures on our website.

Smartphone

Smartphones are a must for pretty much everyone these days, but especially for private investigators. Having access to a tiny computer in the palm of your hand makes doing the job easier, especially when there are a number of smartphone apps that can assist investigators in doing their job. In the past, PIs would have to wait until they got back to the office, or lug around a clunky laptop to access important websites that could lead them to a target or find out more about their target. For example, for investigators who are working a workman’s comp case, may end up checking out an individual’s Facebook profile to see if they’ve posted evidence of them doing things that they said they weren’t capable of doing, which could be used by the firm in a case of fraud.

Computer

While smartphones really are tiny, handheld computers, it would be helpful for PIs, especially those who are operating their own business, to have a computer where they can conduct the non-investigative side of the business. Whether it’s accounting, client management, or having computer access for email and FOIAs, most private investigators who operate their own business will find having a reliable computer a required piece of tech.

Private Investigator Technology is Important

In many cases, private investigators need technology to get the job done. Conducting a private investigation is a skill that investigators take pride in, and for the most part, technology is simply a tool of the trade. Already an investigator and looking to read more? Check out our Investigator Center to learn more.

Events for Private Investigators in 2023

2023-01-09T00:00:00-07:00

The new year brings a new round of events for private investigators to attend. From conferences to meetings and training sessions, private investigator events allow PIs to network, learn, and stay updated with any changes in the profession. Typically, a private investigator can find that their state private investigator associations, as well as other investigator-focused organizations, will host annual events or meetings. While many associations have published their annual event information, some are still planning. Check out the list below to stay updated on association events and consider attending an event this year.

Be sure to let us know if we missed an important event that should be on this list!

Georgia Association of Professional Private Investigators (GAPPI) 2023 Conference

When: TBA Spring 2023
Where: GAPPI is planning to host a conference in the spring. Please check the website for more information as it becomes available.

More information

Inland NorthWest Private Investigators Association (INWPIA) Training

When: Ongoing 2023
Where: INWPIA offers continuing education courses and training throughout the year. Visit their website to learn more.

More information

FAPI 2023 Annual Litigation and Investigators Conference

When: July 27-28, 2023
Where: Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs
350 Northlake Blvd
Altamonte Springs, Fl, 32701

More information

California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) 2023 Conference

When: August 24-26, 2023
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country
One Doubletree
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

More information

Arizona Association of Licensed Private Investigators (AALPI) 2023 Conference

When: September 16-17, 2023
Where: Venue 8600
8600 E. Anderson Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85255

More information

Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI) 2023 Conference

When: October 7-9, 2023
Where: Menger Hotel
204 Alamo Plaza
San Antonio, TX 78205

More information

Join the Discussion

Do you know of a private investigator event happening in 2023? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Open Source Intelligence for Private Investigators

2022-10-24T00:00:00-06:00

Editor's Note: This article was republished with additional information written by Brandon LaVan of Southwest Louisiana Process Service. Any opinions of guest contributors belong to them.

Whether or not you realized it at the time, you have probably collected Open Source Intelligence, (OSINT) at some point in your investigative career. True to its name, OSINT is open-source, meaning that all its information is available to the general public. Since OSINT is accessible to everyone, it might not seem like a valuable tool private investigators can add to their kit. However, one of the notable characteristics of open-source information is just how much data it encompasses and, as Joseph Jones, a licensed private investigator and the Vice President of Bosco Legal Services, says, “Information is power.” But wading through all the data to get to the useful information takes skill and the right resources. Learn more about this skill and how you can harness it for your investigations in the article below.

What is it?

According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is the publicly available information appearing in print or electronic form including radio, television, newspapers, journals, the Internet, commercial databases, videos, graphics, and drawings. The important phrase to focus on here is “publicly available.”

Open-source intelligence is a variety of data encompassing countless topics and subjects. If specialist skills, physical tools, or hacking are required to access a piece of information, it can’t reasonably be considered open source.

OSINT is not limited to what you can find via popular search engines. There are sites on the deep web that are not indexed/found by your regular search engine though the information is still legal to obtain by the general public. This creates a lot of data that qualifies as OSINT. Access to such a vast source of information is both a blessing and a curse in that you can find a lot of what you need, but you have to sort through a lot of useless data to get it. Even with all this information, chances are you will not find everything you need to make or break a case. These OSINT limitations make this information most useful alongside other forms of intelligence.

What makes information open source?

Information is typically considered open source if it fits into any of these descriptions:

Published or broadcast for public viewing. This includes news, radio, podcasts, TV, etc.
Available to the public by request, such as census data.
Available to the public by subscription or purchase. This could include industry journals, academic publications, dissertations, conference proceedings, etc.
Seen or heard by a casual observer.
Obtained by visiting a certain location or attending a public event.
Stored in public records databases.
Government reports, documents, websites, arrest records, and court filings.
Social networks and social media sites.
The Internet at large which includes blogs, forums, video and image sharing sites, metadata and digital files, dark web resources, etc.
Company profiles, annual reports, company news, employee profiles, and résumés.
Geospatial information or maps and commercial imagery products.

OSINT Tools

Since there is so much information to sort through in order to achieve your investigation goals, tools are essential to comb through and organize OSINT effectively. But there are a couple of things to keep in mind before you start filling your toolbox. First and foremost, have a strategy and set of goals laid out before starting your search. Even with the best tools at your fingertips, you need a clear purpose in order to use them properly. You also need to know how to use them. Many people used Facebook’s Graph Search function to gather OSINT but were at a loss when the company decided to shut down that particular function. But those who understood the tool’s role and the theory behind it found ways to work around the inconvenience. So before you go out and equip yourself with a bunch of tools, understand what they accomplish and how they accomplish it so that you don’t become reliant on them.

Commonly Used Tools

There are a great number of tools you can use and learn more about by taking in-depth courses and training, but here are just a couple to introduce you to the basics of OSINT:

Google Dork Queries

While there are many free and useful tools available to licensed private investigators, some of the most commonly used open source intelligence tools are search engines like Google.

There are a series of advanced search functions called “Google Dork” queries that can be used to identify the information and assets they expose. Google Dork queries are based on the search operators used by IT professionals and hackers on a daily basis to conduct their work. Common examples include “filetype:”, which narrows search results to a specific file type, and “site:”, which only returns results from a specified website or domain.

Examples:
“Brandon LaVan” filetype:pdf
This search will specifically search for the name "Brandon LaVan", and the results will only be in .pdf format.

"Lake Charles" site:drive.google.com
This search will specifically search for the term "Lake Charles", and the results will only come from any Google Drive that is open to the public.

Maltego

This tool is perfect for tracking the online movements of a single entity. It collects information from various sources, analyzes the relationships between pieces of information, and uses transforms to generate results into a graph format that’s easier to understand.

Shodan

Shodan is commonly known as the “search engine for hackers.” It provides information about various kinds of digital assets and networks that connect to the internet. It can help you find servers, routers, webcams, and more while also giving you their location and who’s using them.

theHarvester

This tool is ideal for gathering email accounts and domain-related information from public sources. It is also useful for those who want to know what a hacker or bad actor can see about their organization.

Recon-Ng

Similar to Maltego, this tool is effective for collecting information about a certain target, but it uses the power of modular tools. It contains numerous modules including DNS and email and web application reconnaissance.

TinEye

If you need information about an online image, this tool is the way to go. You can use it to perform any image-related search on the web including whether an image is available online and where that image has appeared.

Metagoofil

Metagoofil is a command-line tool that you can use to gather the metadata of public documents. Those who use this tool can scan for a specific type of document on a specific domain.

Indeed (for Employers)

Since most people have an Indeed account and keep their resume updated, the investigator must create an account as an employer. With an employer account, it gives access to a full database of resumes. You cannot search names, but you can filter high schools, cities, jobs, and other keywords.

Dehashed

A very powerful tool that allows searches of the Deep Web for breached data. A user can search for Usernames, Passwords, VIN, Email Addresses, IP Addresses, and Names.

Epieos

If you ever obtain an unknown Gmail address, Epieos is a great reverse email search engine that will provide a name, picture, and a link to any reviews that were left on Google Maps.

Pimeyes

If you need to identify a person in a photo, or locate all the places where a person's image may be located on the internet, Pimeyes is one of the best reverse face searches on the market.

IntelTechniques Search

A search engine created by Michael Bazzell, that is a "One Stop Shop" of most OSINT search engines on the web. Search the web for usernames, VINs, social media, names, IP addresses, communities, domains, businesses, videos, images, etc.

Of course, the examples given here are just a tiny fraction of what is possible using open source intelligence tools and techniques. There are a huge number of free and premium tools that can be used to find and analyze open source information, with common functionality including:

Metadata search
Code search
People and identity investigation
Phone number research
Email search and verification
Linking social media accounts
Image analysis
Geo-spatial research and mapping
Wireless network detection and packet analysis

How PIs can use OSINT

OSINT has a variety of uses in different situations, from uncovering information for security reasons to gathering marketing data, but it is especially useful to private investigators as they filter information for various cases. According to Joseph Jones, “There’s so much information you can gather online; there are very few investigators that OSINT won’t help.” More specifically, OSINT allows PIs to locate targets, their assets such as phones and cars, their coworkers, and even their habits and frequented locations. As Jones pointed out, OSINT also keeps investigators from going into cases blind. It provides the information needed to create a solid surveillance plan. And for Valerie McGilvrey, a skip tracer, author, and speaker, OSINT helps her navigate social media platforms. She says, “Even if someone is deliberately hiding and not doing things to create a record in a professional database, they'll be found using OSINT because people are just not willing to give up their instant audience.” Just remember that in order to use any online information as evidence in court, it must be forensically preserved to be considered valid.

Bottom line, if people aren't found in databases, they can be found with OSINT.” - Valerie McGilvrey

Resources

Guest Contributor

Brandon LaVan is the owner-operator of Southwest Louisiana Process Service in Elton, Louisiana. He is a licensed private investigator and process server. The company specializes in locating and serving “hard to serve” subjects in “hard to serve” locations. He currently spends most of his time doing surveillance, open source intelligence, dark web investigations, and delivering papers. Prior to becoming a licensed private investigator in 2019, he had 9 years of law enforcement experience in Jefferson Davis Parish and Calcasieu Parish.

Join the Discussion

Do you have a favorite OSINT tool? Share your thoughts by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Inland NorthWest Private Investigators Association (INWPIA)

2022-10-21T00:00:00-06:00

Join Inland NorthWest Private Investigators Association Today!

Transparency, Truth, and Training

Inland NorthWest Private Investigators Association (INWPIA) is a non-profit professional organization founded in August 2021, answering the call for truth, transparency, and training.

It's essential for private investigators to join industry associations in order to stay updated on the best tactics, legislation, networking, and more. INWPIA promotes educational services, training, and legislative efforts that promote the highest standards of professional conduct, due diligence, ethics, and upholds the public trust in the pursuit of excellence.

THE LARGEST DETECTIVE - PI SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORK IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

FREE - Network and Referral Services.
FREE - Members Only ListServ - Video - Chat.
FREE - Addition to our Professional Membership Business Directory.
FREE - OSINT Resources - Public Records - Statutes - Information.
FREE & Paid Training with Certifications (*), CE - Educational Credits - Licensing, Resources, and Professional Development Available. (*) Certain conditions apply.
FREE - Prestigious Certificate of Membership and INWPIA Promotional Gifts and Events during the holiday calendar year.
FREE - Subscription to "The Premier Private Investigators - OSINT Newsletter!" sent quarterly in collaboration with Remnant Investigations LLC.
Support local communities, charities, events, and the moral welfare, safety, security of our members and the public trust.
Active Membership is $75, Associate Membership is $50, and Affiliate Membership is $25! Students Membership - FREE! Associate, Affiliate, and Student Memberships are open for Out of Network Licensed Private Investigators, Legal, Skip Tracers, OSINT Data Crime - Fraud, and other investigative - public safety professions.
Know your Board of Directors - Standing Committees - working for "Transparency, Truth, and Training." Our greatest resource and investment is YOU!

Apply for membership here and reap the benefits both above and below. Any questions? You can reach INWPIA at (833) 446-9742.

INWPIA Member Benefits

Product

Offer

Summary

PInow.com Network Listings

1 month FREE
up to a $58 value

Receive the 2nd month free for a listing in their primary county.

ServeNow.com Network Listings

1 month FREE
up to a $120 value

Receive the 2nd month free for a listing in their primary county.

ServeManager

$50 credit

All new subscribers get a $50 subscription credit.

Register Here.

Website

$100 off

Receive $100 off the set-up fee for a custom website.

See examples here.

Local Search Optimization

1 month FREE

Get 1 month free of Local Search Optimization for Google and other search engines.

In-Demand Private Investigation Services

2022-07-18T00:00:00-06:00

The private investigations industry encompasses a variety of niche investigative work. While images of Sherlock Holmes investigating and solving a murder mystery often pop up in the minds of those outside of the industry, private investigators know that there are a number of things they can investigate outside of that trope. So, what are investigators telling us are the in-demand services? Keep reading to find out.

Background Checks

Individuals and businesses alike have relied on private investigations companies to perform background checks, and PIs have grown accustomed to doing them. While this is a standard service for most investigators, this service can also become more in demand with the changes in political landscape and current events. Private investigators suggest that there may be an uptick in background checks in the future depending on potential new legislation requiring background checks.

Cyber Crimes & Data Recovery

Technology is a part of everyone’s life at this point, in some way, shape, or form. With that comes new pathways to investigate, and proficiency in online/cyber investigations will give PIs a leg up. Additionally, data recovery is another in-demand service. These days, almost everything is online or on a computer. Computer forensics and data recovery require a unique skill set to extract this data. Ultimately, whether the job is related to cell phone data, cryptocurrency, locating missing persons through the aid of social media, miscellaneous data recovery, or another cybercrime like identity theft, having a proficiency in this niche will certainly bring about business, and those that already do are reaping the benefit.

Asset Search/Asset Check

If someone finds that they will have their assets taken as a result of a judgment against them, many go to great lengths to hide their assets. Private investigators are skilled at locating hidden assets, including money, cryptocurrency, or physical items of value. This can start off as simple as looking into what public assets they hold (real estate, vehicles, etc.) to more in-depth searches seeking out other items of value. Investigators report that this is a high-volume niche.

Skip Tracing

Closely tied with process service, many investigators will perform locates to find a viable address for service of process. In many cases, the courts require personal service, which means that the server must know where the person to be served physically resides. Investigators are able to sleuth out the location. Skip tracing can also be part of an asset check request, as both could be conducted by the investigator.

Corporate Work

Another niche that many private detectives find themselves working within is the corporate world. Whether it is to track down potential corporate espionage, get to the bottom of a sexual harassment accusation, or to find out if an employee is embezzling money, corporate investigators will uncover the truth. Corporate investigators can work independently or can be hired as an employee by a corporation. When employed by a corporation, the investigator will likely also perform background checks for new hires, in addition to other related tasks.

General Fraud/Workman’s Comp & Liability

Somewhere, someone is always trying to cheat the system. PIs widely report that there is no shortage of workman’s compensation or general fraud investigative cases. In those cases, the investigator may surveil the target in an effort to gather evidence that contradicts the worker’s claims of injury, potentially uncovering insurance fraud.

Missing Persons

Sadly, missing persons cases are always an option for private investigators to investigate, especially when a case has grown cold with local law enforcement. Some investigators even specialize in missing persons or human trafficking cases, which are also becoming more prevalent. With that said, PIs can investigate missing persons for other reasons. Fugitives and debtors also attempt to get lost and not be found, but a good investigator can sniff them out.

Criminal Defense

In the US, the phrase “innocent until proven guilty” is a right that most Americans know. With that said, good defense attorneys know that having evidence to cast a reasonable doubt is imperative in proving their client’s innocence. That’s where a PI comes in — to help find the evidence that could potentially set an accused client free.

Interested in Learning More?

Overall, private investigator niches vary by investigator (what they are willing to do, what they're skilled at doing, and what is a popular request locally), but there is absolutely no shortage of work. O*Net reports that the private investigation occupation is growing 10-15% faster than average. If you’re an investigator interested in joining the PINow network of investigators reach out or check out our FAQs to learn more. There is no question that private investigation is an exciting and interesting field in which many entrepreneurs have found success.

Join the Discussion

What is your most in-demand service as a private investigator? Discuss with your peers by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Why it Pays to Network as a Private Investigator

2022-04-20T00:00:00-06:00

Private investigation is predominantly an independent field in which private investigators work on cases solo or with the members of their firm. However, by networking and working with others, investigators can learn from one another, share resources, stay current with laws, and even find new clients. There are multiple reasons why it pays to network as a PI. Keep reading to learn more.

Learn From One Another

Everyone has to start somewhere, and where better for new PIs to learn than from an established investigator? As an investigator gains experience, they learn from mistakes and learn how to more effectively and efficiently do their job. Networking is beneficial for private investigators because it gives them the opportunity to learn from seasoned veterans in the field. Seasoned veterans who rely on the tried-and-true historical investigations may not realize that there are newer technologies that can help supplement their skill set. Furthermore, investigators can share marketing techniques, business tips, and other important skills with one another. Through networking and working together, both senior investigators and new PIs can learn from one another to become better investigators.

Share Resources

Some jobs that private investigators are tasked with require intensive surveillance, technological resources, and more. Through a trusted network of investigators, PIs can work with other investigators to utilize resources they might not have. While the sharing of resources may not be offered for free, they present an opportunity to be there for one another. It also allows investigators the ability to take on jobs they might otherwise have to turn down.

Stay Updated on Laws

By having relationships with other private investigators in the field, it is easier to stay current with changing legislation that may impact the private investigations industry. By engaging with others in the industry, they can learn what they need to do (and what they can’t do) when changes in the industry occur. Sometimes local changes are not well-publicized, but PIs in the field are able to learn of them and share the changes. Similarly, it is possible for investigators who network and engage with others in the industry to make an impact on legislation that affects their job. Private investigator associations offer PIs the opportunity to stay abreast of important legislation that may affect how they do their job.

For example, Texas changed legislation late last year to stiffen the punishment for those impersonating a private detective. New detectives who are just starting or those who are interested in entering the profession may not have realized the implications of not obtaining the proper license. Existing PIs worked to support the legislation change that prevents those who have not done the work to become certified. By staying engaged in the industry and networking, investigators stay informed, and in some cases, impact the legislation that affects their profession.

Get New Jobs

Some private investigators are fortunate that they are bringing in more work than they can handle themselves. Additionally, in other cases, they may get a lead on a job that is outside of the area that they prefer to work, whether geographically or in the type of work that it is. When an investigator networks with their peers, they are able to refer those jobs to another trusted investigator instead of just turning them down. Networking gives private investigators the ability to find new clients.

Network & Benefit!

Overall, there is a multitude of ways in which private investigators can benefit from networking with their peers. These are just some of the positive things that can happen when working with others. Network and share with others in the PI Investigator Network on Facebook!

Stand Out With a Private Investigator Website

2022-03-22T00:00:00-06:00

Private investigators spend most of their time behind the scenes — surveilling and working their investigations outside of the public eye — but that doesn’t mean a private investigator’s website should be in the dark too. Private investigators are running a business, and it’s important for any small business owner to invest in a website. In fact, current studies have shown that more than 70% of small businesses have a website. If you’re still on the fence about getting a private investigator website, keep reading to learn why you should launch your site sooner rather than later.

A Business Necessity

Websites are a foundational component of a business. While high costs previously would turn PIs and other small business owners away, a basic website is more affordable now than ever, and investigators can expect a return on their investment. In today’s modern world, investigators may find a website more useful (and more cost effective) than a traditional storefront, lowering overhead costs while still establishing a digital footprint.

Target Your Customers, Get New Leads

When you have a functional private investigator website, you will appear in Google and other search rankings so that people who are looking for a PI can find you. Your website is useful not only for merely having an online presence, but it can be used in tandem with a digital marketing strategy. You can target local customers by placing ads that will direct people to your website and even target people who are searching for specific keywords. Ultimately, you should be able to not only target the customers you want but also secure new leads, which creates new business opportunities.

Showcase Your Investigative Specialty

Investigators often have a niche in which they work, and PIs are able to showcase their specialty or specialties on their website. This allows potential customers to see what areas you work within and whether or not you are open to working for individuals. Additionally, it may help clarify what services you offer, where geographically they are offered, and the scope of the services you offer. Avoid wasting time with customers who are looking for a different service and secure the customers that need you.

Control Your Messaging

When you have a website, you decide what information is presented and how. Whether you decide to educate people about the industry, explain more about your company, or offer advice to potential customers in an effort to entice their business, you control your messaging.

Websites Instill Trust

Let’s face it, more people are doing online research before choosing a professional service, and if they can’t find you online, you may as well not exist. The internet provides an opportunity for a business to present reviews and testimonials to potential customers. Additionally, if a private investigator has achieved professional certifications, is part of a professional association or organization, or has attained reputable credentials and required licensing, displaying them on the website can help instill trust in the investigator. The reality is that many people don’t find a business to be legitimate if the business doesn’t have a website.

Get Your Private Investigator Website Started Today!

Thinking about moving forward with a website but aren’t sure where to begin? Let us help! We specialize in building websites for private investigators and process servers. Choose from a wide variety of templates and target your customers with websites from PI Now.

Texas Cracks Down on Impersonating a Private Investigator

2021-11-19T00:00:00-07:00

Texas legislators went to bat for private investigators by creating a new law that makes impersonating a private investigator illegal. Texas currently regulates the private investigations industry through the Texas Department of Public Safety and has similar language on the books regarding licensure requirements. Texas investigators must have an active private investigator’s license and those acting as an investigator without a license will violate the new law.

Written and introduced by Representative Valoree Swanson in January 2021, House Bill 1400 was created to make impersonating a private investigator a Class A misdemeanor offense. The bill also enhances the penalty for a subsequent conviction of the offense to a third degree felony. The full text of the bill, which amends the Texas Occupations code, can be accessed online.

Although the anti-impersonation law was a new legislative move, licensure requirements have been in place prior to the passage of the bill as the requirements appear in the Texas Administrative Code and in the Texas Private Security Statutes and Rules, which both apply to private investigators.

To be a licensed investigator in Texas, individuals must meet strict educational requirements in addition to passing an exam and carrying appropriate liability insurance. The education requirements include completing one of the following options: three years of investigations-related experience; a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a bachelor’s degree in another field plus six months of investigations-related experience; or an associate degree in criminal justice (or related field) with an additional 12 months of investigation-related experience; or the completion of a private investigations course with a minimum of 200 face-to-face hours that is accredited by a four-year university or State of Texas.

Beyond the educational and insurance requirements, individuals wanting to become a licensed investigator must be over the age of 18, must not have a criminal record (charged or convicted), must be mentally competent, must not have been dishonorably discharged from the military, and must not be a sex offender (in any state). The Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI) provides the complete breakdown of requirements on their website.

The legislative effort of HB 1400 was primarily welcomed by Texas private investigators, though the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators was not responsible for putting forth the bill, current TALI President Catherine Torrez said, “We applaud the efforts.”

Those who work as an investigator without the proper education and licensing not only take work from investigators who put forth the time, effort, and money to be licensed, but unlicensed investigators could also jeopardize the safety of clients. Texas investigator Rosanne Gustafson-Cottongame Kayl offered, “I am very glad this new law has finally passed. As licensed private investigators, we spend a lot of money on licensing and education as well as insurance, tools we need for our profession, and marketing. We lose work when the unlicensed act as investigators illegally.”

The anti-impersonation bill was sponsored by Senator Paul Bettencourt and gained traction when co-author Representative Briscoe Cain signed on in March 2021, with joint authors Representatives Tony Tinderholt, Leo Pacheco, and Alex Dominguez signing on in April and early May. At each stage, the bill passed unanimously. The bill was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbot on June 15, 2021, and finally went into effect on September 1, 2021.

Those interested in learning more about changes to laws and regulations regarding the requirements to be a private investigator in Texas are encouraged to stay up-to-date with the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators.

Join the Discussion

Do you have advice after interacting with the police while investigating? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

How To Find Your Subject's Complete Address History

2021-08-31T00:00:00-06:00

Editor's Note: This article was written by Steven Mason, owner of Arizona-based Mason Investigative Solutions. Steven is a licensed private investigator with 18 years of prior federal and state law enforcement investigative experience. The opinions expressed here belong to Steven Mason.

One of the most important pieces of data for an investigator is their subject of inquiry’s address history. Franky, it’s difficult to imagine an investigation that can’t benefit from the knowledge of the target’s address history. Asset investigations, background research, process service investigations, adoption searches, criminal investigations, and surveillance all come to mind.

Talk to anyone who has ever applied for a national security position about his or her application process, and they will no doubt mention their having to complete the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Standard Form 86 (SF86) and their personal interview. The OPM SF86 is a 136-page personal history form that requires the applicant to list every residence going back at least 10 years, including any temporary locations where the applicant stayed for longer than 90 days. If you’ve ever worked for the government or served in the military—occupations that can involve lots of various addresses—good luck. Among the most common discrepancies cited by OPM background investigators are those found in the applicant’s address history. I remember being interviewed for a Top Secret-SCI clearance some years ago. The investigator flagged my background because I failed to list the complete address for the Illinois Secretary of State Police Training Academy as an address where I had “lived.” Address histories are that important.

While this may sound trivial, having a complete understanding of someone’s address history is critical if you want to know everything about your subject’s history, civil court history, associates, financial dealings, employment, education, and family.

So how does one compile an individual’s address history? The ideal strategy involves mining data from both paid and free sources.

Paid Sources

As a private investigator, I generally start researching someone’s address history using paid sources. During my 20-plus years of determining where my subjects have lived, I have found that the quickest route to success is to use paid sources. As an added bonus, information derived from paid sources will help you cut through the smokescreen sometimes presented by free sources.

Here are some of my favorite paid sources for researching address histories.

Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Records: Without question, this is, hands down, my favorite paid source. Mileage will vary from state to state, but most MVD extended abstracts list all the addresses, past and present, used by an individual in connection with his or her identification card and driver’s license.
Proprietary Credit Header Databases: If you are in the private investigation or law enforcement business, you know what I’m talking about here. Remember, these databases are a valuable tool in your investigation, but they don’t offer a complete picture of an individual’s history—so seek independent verification of any pertinent information derived from them.
License Plate Reader (LPR) Databases: Once you have a list of the individual’s vehicles, the LPR database can provide a historical view of the places where the vehicles owned by your target have been sighted. The data obtained can be critical to identifying residential and work addresses. Looking for a skip? This resource will become your best friend. If your target lives in a rural area, this resource may not produce much.

Free sources

The vast majority of free sources are derived from public records. For an investigator, public records are often the main staple of any assignment, so be sure to learn everything you can about your state’s public records laws and how to leverage them. This knowledge will allow you to become a “Merchant of Wow.” As I type this, I have over 100 public records requests pending. In fact, my office maintains a spreadsheet dedicated to the tracking of outstanding requests awaiting a response from the government. If you’re researching records in a jurisdiction outside your state, consider checking with BRB Publications (www.brbpublications.com) for information on what records are available and where to find them. Below are a number of places to start gathering addresses.

County Assessor’s Office: Property records maintained by the county assessor can usually be searched by name, address, or parcel number. If you suspect your target owns a home in a certain county, start here.
Corporation Commission / Secretary of State: Has the target of your investigation ever owned a business? Find out by researching records kept by the Corporation Commission or Secretary of State. Business registrations often reveal the individual’s home and work address.
Courthouse: Court records are my personal favorite. These files can provide a list of current and prior addresses, as well as vehicles, known associates, and more. Think of courthouses as information gold mines.
Police Departments: A favorite tactic of mine is to request a list of the target’s contacts and other involvements with the police department in each jurisdiction where the target has lived. Not only will you get addresses associated with the target that you might not otherwise have found, but you may also end up getting some interesting information regarding drama that didn’t make it to court.
U.S. Postal Service: Forwarding addresses are invaluable and are often almost commonplace. For example, if you are looking for a skip who collects government benefits, chances are he or she filed a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service. While there are numerous methods, both free and paid, to obtain these records, I go straight to NCA Search (www.ncasearch.com), which is technically a paid service, but it’s inexpensive and makes getting records from the U.S. Postal Service quicker and easier.
Social Media: For all the open-source intelligence (OSINT) researchers out there, this source is for you. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin, and many other social media and online platforms are a tremendous source of address history information. While this information is user-generated, it can be accurate. My personal favorite is LinkedIn.

Conclusion

Collecting intelligence about a subject should always include obtaining a complete picture of the target’s address history. In addition to revealing the individual’s current location, this information will help you find criminal records, assets, and even his or her employment history. Sometimes the most valuable piece of information in an investigation is located in a jurisdiction that is formerly, and many times briefly, connected to the target. Without a complete address history, you may never find it.

Join the Discussion

Do you have advice after interacting with the police while investigating? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Tips for Interacting with the Police as a Private Investigator

2021-06-09T00:00:00-06:00

Although private investigators mostly work independently from local law enforcement agencies, there are times in which private investigators will need to work with or interact with the police. Most times, there is mutual respect and the two can do their work without interference from one another. In order to do so, private investigators might want to consider the following tips for interacting with local police.

Call ahead when surveilling

One of the primary duties of a private investigator is to conduct surveillance on a target. Whether their job is to locate a missing person, investigate and find evidence of fraud, infidelity, or a crime, it often involves a stakeout.

While surveillance and stakeouts are totally normal in the life of a private investigator, the general public might not be too keen on spotting someone spying on their neighbors. They could be concerned that the investigator is actually staking out the home to rob it later, stalking, or some other nefarious activity.

One tip that private investigators offer is for investigators to call local law enforcement before they begin surveillance so that they are aware of who the investigator is and what they are doing. This should prevent the police from rolling up on the investigator while they are surveilling the subject because they are aware of the situation — and have been able to check you out as the investigator, confirming your identity and licensure (where applicable).

Private investigator Scott Olds of Armed Corp. Security advised that he routinely heeds this tip: “I always call the local agencies dispatch to let them know I'm in the area. That way if you are called in as suspicious, the responding officer will have a heads-up of who you are.”

Investigators may even get valuable information that can keep the investigator safe if they call ahead to the local police department, as Judith Laskowski of Laskowski Investigations explained: “I always check in with the local LE agency. When I had to serve some papers in Lake County (CA), the deputy gave me invaluable information about the area including warnings about what places to avoid. He asked me to check back when I was leaving the area, as there are many drug growers who are not friendly. I was grateful for that assistance.”

With that said, some investigators feel that calling ahead may end up getting the investigator burned and their identity spoiled. In other cases, calling ahead to explain may create a situation of divulging too much information that should have remained private, as an investigator from MIS Investigations offered: “In certain circumstances, we may call and let them know; however, in the areas I work it’s a courtesy call, and it is not required. Big city, I never call. Small city, might and might not call (depends). If approached while doing surveillance, I just tell them who I am and that I’m working. I never share more than that. For new PIs, be familiar with the laws as the police may not know. For example, in Michigan, client confidentiality for PIs is similar or the same as client-attorney privilege.”

Other investigators advised that while calling the police to advise them of the surveillance activity could be helpful, disclosing who is being investigated could be problematic. Investigator Janni Connelly advised “one concern is small towns and communities where everyone knows each other. Never give the name or exact address to the police. You don’t know who knows who. I personally do not alert the police.” Another private investigator also encouraged PIs not to disclose who they were investigating for this same reason.

Ultimately, whether or not an investigator calls police ahead of a stakeout is a personal choice; however, most will advise that especially in smaller cities and villages, contacting law enforcement prior to getting to work is beneficial.

Check whether a case is active

In some cases, family and friends will hire a private investigator when they feel that a crime has not been properly investigated by the police department. This occurs often in cases that have gone cold or remain unsolved after a significant period of time. While private investigators can provide an excellent service, often uncovering new information or chasing down unconventional leads, it is important that the private investigator determine whether the case is open and whether or not it is OK to proceed with the investigation.

Private investigator Dawn Hartwell of Hart 2 Hart Investigations explains, “We were recently contacted by a family looking for help solving a family member's murder. They stated the police aren't doing anything. Principal looked into the case and it was an active case. He respectfully emailed the detective, explained to him the conversation. Principal called the family back and let them know we can't get involved with an active murder investigation without authorities' approval.”

If the investigator finds that the case is open and ongoing, they may not be able to investigate the case unless they have been invited by the law enforcement agency. It is important for investigators to conduct due diligence to ensure they are not interfering with an open case, regardless of if they have been invited.

Finding evidence of a crime

If during the course of an investigation, a private investigator finds evidence of a crime, it is absolutely necessary that the investigator report the crime to the police. The investigator should also turn over any pertinent evidence obtained so as not to obstruct or interfere with the police investigation.

Soulat Arshad with Facts Investigations echoed this sentiment, advising other PIs to: “Gather video documentation of any crimes you witness and report them to your local police station immediately. Provide the evidence to them alongside a well-written statement or a report outlining the events that occurred. This can help the police solve crimes much faster and many times they will pay back by referring you to people who contact them but may not pass the thresholds of requiring police assistance. This has helped us get many domestic cases as well.”

Obviously, this is common sense, but even if hired to do a job, PIs must remember the job is not above the law and they must turn over all evidence.

Know your role

While there are some private investigators who are retired police officers, not all are. Even those who have retired from the police force are no longer active members, and as such, they do not have the powers that they once had as active officers. It is important for private investigators to acknowledge and respect the role that they have in an investigation and to not overstep their boundaries. Although investigators can assist in a police investigation, they are not above the law, nor are they police officers, and as such, they cannot impersonate one.

Additionally, in the event that a private investigator is approached or stopped by a police officer, they must heed the officer’s instructions. PIs should take care to advise officers that they are a licensed (where applicable) private investigator and let them know of any weapons they are carrying on their person. If a PI has a license, they should carry that information with them. Heeding the officer’s commands and acting peacefully and respectfully will result in a positive resolution. Typically, any issues can be swiftly addressed and the investigator will be able to go about their business as they were prior to being approached.

On the same team

In the end, private investigators and police agencies are both out to help people, solve crimes, and find justice. With similar goals, private investigators and police departments can work alongside one another for the greater good of the public without harm.

Join the Discussion

Do you have advice after interacting with the police while investigating? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

10 Marketing Tips for PIs

2021-05-04T00:00:00-06:00

A lot more goes into private investigation than the actual investigating. In order to be successful, you have to run a business which comes with its own set of challenges. You have to market your services, for example. Private investigators offer a unique service and are unlike other businesses, which might leave investigators questioning how to market their business. However, as unique as PIs are, many traditional marketing tools can still be used when applied to the proper target market. Some of these tools are listed below as well as advice from other investigators.

1. Business cards

This might be a no-brainer, but be sure to always have professional business cards printed and ready for distribution. The one time you don’t have business cards on you will inevitably be the time you talk to someone about doing business, which could make an unprofessional first impression. Eliminate that possibility by always having business cards printed and with you.

2. Freebies or swag

The cheap but useful items that you give away to prospective clients, whatever you want to call them, are a great way to keep your name physically in front of your client. As a general rule, the freebies you give your clients should at least have your business name or logo printed on them. If there is room to have contact information visible, that should be included as well. Everyone loves free stuff, whether it’s t-shirts, mugs, coasters, water bottles, stickers, pens, keychains, mousepads, calculators, food, you name it! Whether you are a professional with years of experience or an industry newcomer looking for ways to snag your first clients, combining a well-written introduction letter with a freebie is a great way to connect with potential customers.

3. Visit your target clients

By physically visiting the office of prospective clients, you might score some time with the decision-maker who hires PIs or find out who that is and schedule a time to talk with them. When you visit, many PIs suggest bringing a treat whether it’s donuts in the morning, candy, or even something as simple as water, if they don’t have a water cooler in the office, of course, to accompany the business card. While a firm handshake is nice, treats make you memorable.

4. Sponsor events

Sometimes, it does take spending a little money to make money. In this case, sponsoring a legal or paralegal event can offer a great return on your investment. Consider covering the cost of catering or offering monetary sponsorship for a local association event. As a sponsor, you can request a few minutes to talk, hang a company banner, or supply pens and notepads printed with your contact information to attending members. Sponsoring events is a great way to present your company to several attentive attorneys at once, which can have a huge impact on your business.

5. Get involved with community events

Donating a prize for a contest, drawing, or raffle or hosting a local race can help you reach out to potential clients at a community event. Being an active member of your community can create goodwill and help your firm gain exposure through word-of-mouth advertising. You may also consider utilizing your expertise to teach a public safety, self-defense, or basics of home surveillance course to community members.

6. Take on pro-bono work

Whether there is a missing person in the community, a tough case that a client has, or helping out a colleague, offering occasional pro-bono or volunteer time to work a case can prove to be beneficial not only because you did a good deed, but because it may leave a good impression and positive reputation. Not only can clients see how you work, but they also may want to give you business as a reward for your good deed. Just remember that ultimately you have a business to run, so be sure to charge for services for any subsequent work after the pro-bono job.

7. Send newsletters

Staying in touch with clients can be a great way to keep your name at the forefront of their minds while also giving potential clients important information on industry news and changes. Newsletters can be sent as frequently or infrequently as you want and by USPS or by email.

8. Maintain a blog

Take a cue from our top investigator bloggers and start your own private investigator blog. Whether you focus on technology, highlight specific services and cases, or offer your thoughts on breaking industry news, keeping a blog can help you gain exposure among potential clients and peers. As an added bonus, opportunities for guest blogging on other sites will expand your readership and client base.

9. Utilize social media

Social media presents a great opportunity to network with colleagues and find other ways to work. Join groups dedicated to the industry on different platforms to access networking opportunities, learn, and grow your knowledge. Additionally, it is important to keep any social media accounts for your business updated and current.

10. List on a directory

Finally, in order to put a professional foot forward, private investigators can advertise their services in directories like PInow or in the directories of related industry associations. Being listed in directories specifically for PIs will provide beneficial advertising when potential clients are searching for an investigator, and it will provide the opportunity to collaborate with fellow PIs. Also, most directories require a certain level of experience before PIs are eligible to get listed — so being part of a directory reflects that a investigator is a trusted professional.

Happy Marketing!

Innovative marketing tactics can go a long way in creating new business opportunities, and as private investigators look for ways to rejuvenate their marketing strategies considering new ideas is a great start. There are an unlimited number of ways to get your business name out there, so take some time to brainstorm which introduction strategies work best for you. Ask new clients how they found your services to determine where you are experiencing marketing success, and don't be afraid to try something new. Looking for even more investigator input for how you can market your private investigations business? Check out what other investigators had to say about marketing.

Join the Discussion

How do you market your business as a private investigator? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

How Private Investigators Find Clients

2021-04-21T00:00:00-06:00

In order to create a sustainable business, private investigators new and old must work to find new clients. But where to begin? Especially for new PIs or those re-entering the industry after a hiatus, the task of finding new clients can seem daunting. With that said, there are a number of tried and true methods that private investigators can implement to attract new clients. The first step in getting a new client is knowing where to look and getting a list of leads. Keep reading for tips on finding new clients and advice from other PIs.

Who hires private investigators?

While certainly experienced PIs know who hires private investigators, those brand new to the industry or starting their business plan may be interested in knowing what kind of clients typically hire private investigators. The good news is that there are plenty of places to find clients. Private investigators are used by individuals, law firms, and businesses for a plethora of reasons.

Go straight to the source

Private investigators often instinctively know how to hunt for the information or evidence they need so this tip might seem obvious: go straight to the source. Because many private investigators are hired by law firms, they can go to the courthouse to curate a list of prospective clients that they can use to begin establishing a rapport and asking for business.

Ben Cameron of PaperPushers, LLC advised, “To prospective clients at law firms we will go visit, shake hands, and introduce ourselves the old-fashioned way. More often than not, I would encourage boots on the ground. This shows you manage your time well and that time is valuable. Meeting potential clients face-to-face can increase your networking potential, or you might just get assigned a case so they’ll get you to leave!”

This advice was echoed by Brian DeAntonio, a private investigator with 24 years of experience who offered this tip: “[Go] to the courthouse and [find] the names of the criminal defense attorneys who are handling big cases, or many cases at a time. This will narrow down the busy firms in the area and make face-to-face meetings more fruitful.”

Regardless of whether a private investigator is targeting a law firm, business, or insurance agency, making a personal impression in-person can often mean the difference between getting hired or passed over.

Associations

Joining business associations, such as the local chamber of commerce or industry-specific organizations, can provide a multitude of opportunities for private investigators new and old. Some PIs may find themselves with too much work and would prefer to offload their overflow to someone they trust in the industry. Some business organizations may offer networking opportunities in which PIs can gain contacts to try and procure work. Visit our list of state private investigator associations and see if it is a good option to join — and that may prove to be beneficial in procuring work.

Networking events

By attending conferences or trade shows for the private investigations industry (or even related industries in which a PI can network with prospective clients), PIs can set up meetings and attend networking events or dinners. These create the perfect opportunity for a private investigator to get their name out there and to potentially establish a solid lead or a new client. For example, the NALI conference is coming up in June 2021 and is accepting registrations.

Investigator Janni Connolly of Goldrick & Desmond Investigations, Inc. advised the following, “Join local Chamber of Commerce and networking business groups. You must ‘smooze.’ No one likes wearing these name tags and introducing yourself but you as a PI will be the most interesting person in the room. People want to know what it’s like. Companies use PIs for background checks, etc.”

Advertising

Advertising is another great way that investigators can get their names out there and target potential clients. They can advertise directly to those clients if they have a specific mailing list (by snail mail or email), or they can advertise more indirectly online.

PInow is actually a great way to get your name online. Being listed in a PI directory like PInow will provide very beneficial advertising when potential clients are searching for a private investigator and will also provide the opportunity to collaborate with fellow PIs. As a bonus, most directories require a certain level of experience before investigators are eligible to get listed — so being part of a directory reflects that a PI is a trusted professional.

An investigator from Swiss Security Solutions Ltd. suggested that investigators “invest in GoogleAds, BingAds, a good website, and quality of services provided including reporting.” Whether it’s through a regular newsletter or popup ads, make sure you’re tailoring your advertising to the clients you’re targeting.

Referrals

Often one of the more neglected ways to get new business, referrals are still a tried-and-true method. Many times, people simply forget to ask for a referral, but doing so can secure new business as it offers investigators not only a hot lead, but it also gives them an “in” with the referral. Make it a regular practice to ask clients for referrals. Some businesses choose to incentivize referrals, but that is up to the investigator.

Gain work and experience as an employee

One option that investigators brand new to the industry may not realize is that there are investigations firms that will hire private investigators. This secures work for an investigator without the hassle of owning a small business. Additionally, it can provide the investigator with valuable experience that will prove to be worthwhile later if they choose to go out on their own.

Investigator Soulat Arshad offered this recommendation: “If someone is a new PI, I always recommend for them to work as an employee for another firm first to gain some experience and knowledge in the field before they start soliciting directly for themselves. Indeed, Workopolis, local classifieds are all a good source for leads. Believe me, there's a lot to learn as an employee while working for someone else before you should go out on your own and start advertising your services directly to the public as an individual or an agency.”

Working for a firm can also build up your network, providing you with reliable, seasoned investigators who can recommend your abilities to others.

More tips?

If you have more tips that weren’t mentioned, be sure to join the conversation on our social media channels on Facebook and LinkedIn. Best wishes to all investigators new and old on securing new clients!

Join the Discussion

How do you find clients as a private investigator? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Why Your Business Needs a Corporate Investigator

2021-04-08T00:00:00-06:00

Editor's Note: This article was written by Chris Cavallo of Cavallo Associates about historical scene canvassing using body cameras. The opinions expressed here belong to Chris Cavallo.

When headlines blast that someone has been caught embezzling money from their employer, many think that it is an anomaly in the business world. The truth is that while it should be something that doesn’t happen at all, it’s actually more common than people realize. According to one report, small businesses are at the highest risk.

Most employees complicit in fraud, theft, forgery, and other illicit acts resulting in huge consequences for the company are smart enough to cover their tracks and escape the monitoring eye of surveillance cameras (where installed). In situations where employees work to defraud their employers by embezzling funds, discovering the fraud and identifying the culprits may be quite difficult. Only the intervention of a private investigator can solve the issue while also saving the reputation of the company from being damaged. Corporations and businesses will always need the help of corporate investigators.

What is a corporate investigation?

A corporate investigation can be defined as the rigorous investigation of a corporation, an organization, or a business to uncover illicit acts/activities perpetrated by staff members of the corporation or third parties that could harm the company, thereby ensuring the effective running of the organization's workflow. Investigators who specialize in this type of work can be incredibly valuable in preventing and catching these types of criminals.

Let’s explore some of the scenarios in which a corporate investigator can be beneficial.

Employee theft

Employee theft, regardless of how big or small the item stolen, can cripple a company's finances either rapidly or in the long run. It could involve a manager, a supervisor, or other superiors with or without the help of other employees. Staff members of an organization may steal large amounts of money, company items or equipment, and in extreme instances, intellectual property of the company. In some cases, employees may work in collaboration with the accounts officers to cover up their tracks. Some organizations use CCTV surveillance to catch such activity on camera but, in situations where the staff member(s) is working hand-in-hand with the security person, such footage may be deleted. Employee theft can leave a devastating effect on an organization's finances and the organization itself.

Enlisting the services of a corporate investigator will help the organization uncover and curb employee theft and fish out the culprits. Investigators are experts at surveillance and interviewing subjects so they can uncover responsible parties with or without the aid of security camera footage.

Sexual harassment

Another reason for an organization to hire a corporate investigator is to root out sexual harassment. Sexual harassment may be defined as any form of unsolicited, unrequested, and unwanted sexual behavior or misconduct committed by an individual to another individual either verbally through sexually offensive language, by asking for sexual gratification, or physically through direct contact.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 60% of women say they experience sexual harassment in the workplace. Most of this sexual harassment is perpetrated by a superior to a junior colleague either by requesting sexual gratification subtly or making sexual comments at the individual, sexually-suggestive behavior, or full-blown unwelcome advances. Although some companies have sexual harassment policies, very few implement them, and sexual harassment at the workplace continues to go unchecked.

Because a culture of silence is still predominant even in today’s society, more than 85% of victims of sexual harassment at the workplace do not report it. This can interfere with an employee’s attitude towards work: a decrease in productivity level, cause distraction with work, and in serious cases may lead to an employee neglecting their work or resigning from the organization.

In cases where the productivity level of female employees is low or they keep turning in resignation letters without a tenable reason, the help of a corporate investigator comes in handy to help identify such culprits and put an end to such inappropriate action in the organization.

Fraudulent activities

Fraud activity is one of the major reasons that corporate organizations and businesses go bankrupt or eventually fold up. Even though it is rife, very few companies take precautions in preventing it from getting to the extreme. Examples of some types of fraud activity in an organization include:

Misappropriation of assets

Misappropriation of assets includes tampering with financial statements, cheque forgery, inflating expenses incurred, forging receipts, increasing account figures, signature forgery, defalcation (also known as skimming in which sales made are not recorded and the money is pocketed into the salesperson's hand), inventory theft (where the money is either diverted to another account not belonging to the company or is physically stolen), or theft of service where an employee uses the company's services for his own interest.

Vendor fraud

Vendor fraud happens when an employee of an organization enters into an alliance with vendors used by the organization to defraud the organization. This happens in different ways. Staff members can ask a vendor to overbill an organization for shipping and waybill costs. Bribery also happens when an agreement is made between the employee and the vendor for the vendor to pay some amount of money in exchange for a service that the company renders without the company’s knowledge.

Accounting fraud

Another type of fraud that happens is accounting fraud. Accounting fraud usually involves the participation of an employee or an accountant to mislead an organization. Instances where accounting fraud could happen include when staff members set up a fake supplier and make the company pay for nonexistent goods and services. It could also happen when an employee conspires with a supplier to bill the company for twice the amount of goods and services supplied.

Losses are incurred and debts are piled up as a result of fraudulent activities in an organization and thus, the company’s finances suffer the consequences. Plans to expand the company are put on hold and there is a struggle to pay salaries. In a situation where staff members involved have sworn to secrecy, fraud activity in an organization can continue for a long time without the root cause being detected. This is where the help of a private investigator is enlisted to thoroughly investigate the root cause of such activities.

How a corporate investigator can help

Corporate investigators act as unbiased watchdogs who can not only catch perpetrators of corporate fraud and misconduct but also help to prevent it from happening in the first place.

An investigator could perform background checks on a suspected staff member, carry out thorough research, and perform financial investigations to uncover embezzlements, bribery, accounts manipulation, etc. Investigators can also assist with surveillance, technical surveillance countermeasures (bug sweeps), and computer forensic investigation. Corporate investigators also specialize in undercover work where the investigator is given fake employment as a staff member, blending in with them in order to discover hidden activities.

Furthermore, PIs specializing in corporate investigations can assist with due diligence investigations, which are important to conduct before a company is acquired, is purchased, or goes through a merger. These types of investigations help to ensure the secondary company or new business owner is not going into business with a company that would be a severe liability.

The negative impact that fraud can have on a business is palpable. Businesses' reputations can be destroyed or at least hurt significantly. According to a 2018 Embezzlement Study by Hilcox, “Companies that were victims of embezzlement lost far more than money: they lost customers, had more difficulty attracting new customers and lost business partners. They admitted the D embezzlement negatively impacted the company’s reputation.”

Bottomline: your business needs a corporate investigator

The importance of a corporate investigator to a corporation cannot be overemphasized as it aids in both precautionary measures and in the ability to weed out bad actors in a company. And as reported, a corporate investigator can help save a company from going bankrupt or closing altogether. It's always a good idea to invest in corporate investigation as it might save your company money and its reputation.

About the Author

Chris Cavallo has been involved in every facet of the security and investigations industry for over 40 years. He started his career with the two largest security and investigation companies in the world at the time, Wells Fargo and Pinkerton’s Investigative Services. After spending two years as a management trainee with 11 months in the field as an undercover operative, he quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the most highly recognized security consultants for his first ten years. He is considered a subject matter expert in various security/investigative practices such as surveillance operations, security guard services, and background investigations. He ended his career with a Fortune 50 Company as the VP of the SE Region. He then co-founded a company, RSI Investigations (Records Search Inc.), which was one of the pioneers and leaders in the background screening industry in the late 80s. After this experience, Chris founded Cavallo Associates working with security, defense, and investigation companies to help them develop their business plans and train their personnel. Today, Chris is a Florida-licensed private investigator and security consultant and continues to dedicate himself to both the security and investigations industry. Presently, he is mentoring, developing, and sponsoring several PI interns and overseeing the CSI Security Business as well. Both business units operate under the brand name CSI Secure Solutions headquartered in Davie, Florida with offices in Bogota, Colombia.

Join the Discussion

Do you conduct corporate investigations and have tips for other investigators? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Insurance for Private Investigators

2021-03-24T00:00:00-06:00

Private investigators operate a business that, while unique in many aspects, is still a traditional business. There are many reasons why private investigators should carry insurance, but it boils down to risk. Is a PI willing to risk the potential for financial harm to themselves and their business in the event they are sued? Is a PI financially prepared to incur the costs that could stem from a lawsuit or accident? If the answer is no, private investigators should consider obtaining insurance. Let’s take a look at what that means for private investigators.

Insurance basics: general & professional liability coverage

For businesses, many will take out policies that cover bodily harm and operational errors. This means that private investigators, whether operating independently or as an agency, should consider obtaining both general liability and professional liability coverage. General liability could cover a private investigator in the event one of the agents (or the agent/owner) is harmed while working a case as it covers harm to person and property. Additionally, because private investigators conduct business within their office and in the field, they should ensure that they get a policy that covers them in both situations. Professional liability coverage is what protects investigators from incurring massive costs stemming from a lawsuit relating to something other than personal harm or property damage.

Understanding costs

Cost is a big reason that many individuals and business owners forgo certain types of insurance. At the end of the day, overhead cost is something that is necessary to keep the business operational and it is highly encouraged for private investigators to consider insurance as one of those necessary business costs. Think about what could happen if a private investigator is sued but does not have insurance. That investigator would be liable for the costs associated with their defense even if the lawsuit is dismissed in the end. If the investigator had insurance, they would simply pay the deductible and the insurance company would incur the costs of the lawsuit. No business owner ever thinks they will become a victim of a frivolous lawsuit until they are served with one. By maintaining the proper insurance, the investigator is protecting themselves and their company from harm that could potentially close their business.

Types of insurance

There are many different types of policies that private investigators should evaluate to determine the appropriate coverage. For example, whether or not the investigator owns an agency or operates solo will impact what coverage is needed. Similarly, if a PI business has subcontractors or employees, that employee designation can also change the type of insurance that is needed. Property insurance, automobile insurance, and data protection/cyber insurance are all types of insurance that are common among investigators. Private investigators should assess their needs with their insurance agent to determine the types of insurance they need for their specific business.

Learn more with your agent

PInow does not sell insurance, nor are we affiliated with any insurance agency. Our goal is to provide private investigators with useful knowledge that will help them and their businesses flourish. We recommend that investigators have a conversation with their business lawyer and insurance agent to determine what policies are right for them.

Join the Discussion

Have you invested in insurance for your private investigation business? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Private Investigator Safety During Surveillance

2021-03-11T00:00:00-07:00

Private investigators can often be put in dangerous situations, especially if they are gathering evidence for a suspected crime or contentious domestic situation, such as child custody or a cheating spouse. While many private investigators come from a background in law enforcement or the military, not all have had the benefit of defensive training to protect themselves. With the recent news of a private investigator getting viciously attacked in Illinois while surveilling a subject, it’s important now more than ever to review some safety tips to keep in mind while on the job.

Be aware of your surroundings

Sometimes while surveilling a subject, investigators can get so wrapped up in watching their subject that they get tunnel vision and forget to be aware of their own surroundings. When a person (PI or otherwise) neglects their surroundings, they are vulnerable to those with bad intentions. This is why investigator Gregory Todd urges investigators to, “Stay aware of what is going on.”

By taking a moment to check-in and keep a watchful eye on surroundings, an investigator is better prepared to handle any situations that may come their way. Setting a reminder on your phone may help those working solo to stop and look around.

Additionally, having a partner can be incredibly helpful. Not only does this allow for an investigator to always have eyes on the subject, but it offers an extra set of eyes to see what is going on around them. It is imperative that investigators be cognizant of the setting they’re in as well as the subject.

Positioning

While simply being aware can go a long way, positioning matters as well. Investigators should take care to allow for defensive moves should they need to take them. Obviously, investigators need to be positioned to be able to surveil a subject, but ensuring their own safety should also be a priority.

If surveilling in an enclosed place, investigators should take note of the entrances and exits and ensure they do not have their back to the door. This way, they know if someone is approaching them as individuals will not be approaching from behind. Investigator Pat McManus advised, “As much as possible, I try to position myself in a way that allows for a defensive response [and] then access the environment for a backup plan, nearest safe place, etc.”

A representative from MIS Research Group encouraged investigators with the following practical advice: “Always position yourself in a way that you can hit the pedal if you need to. Keep your head on a swivel. If approached and you decide you are going to speak to them, open the window ONLY a little. When you arrive on site, always lock your doors, especially in dangerous areas, [and] stay in the front seat.”

Personal protection

Carrying items for personal protection can be helpful in the event that an investigator is attacked. This can be anything from non-lethal forms of protection, such as pepper spray or a taser (where legal), to firearms. For those trained and experienced with firearms, having a firearm on their person can be reassuring in that they know it is there if they need it. Several investigators encouraged others to carry firearms as a means of protection, especially while surveilling a subject. Practicing safety with ballistics is also important.

Private investigators should also consider wearing body armor while surveilling a subject, and especially when surveilling one who is known to be dangerous. Not only does this provide physical safety, but it can also provide investigators with peace of mind that they are protected. By eliminating the fear and anxiety that can creep up when dealing with a dangerous subject, investigators can focus on the job at hand and ensure they are able to perform should they be faced with harm.

Protection can also come in the form of preparation. By having a dashcam and/or body camera, investigators may discourage would-be assailants from taking action. Furthermore, body cameras and dash cameras can provide much-needed evidence in the event an investigator later needs to pursue criminal charges against an attacker.

First aid preparation

Anyone who owns a first aid kit will say that they hope to never use it, but if they do, they are glad it’s there. In the event that an investigator is hurt on the job, they should first call emergency services. However, other first-aid materials, such as a tourniquet, may be helpful while waiting for the ambulance in the event an investigator is hurt badly. Having an extensive first aid kit is also good to have in case of accidents and not just attacks. Basic first-aid training is useful on and off the job, and PIs should consider taking a course if they are not familiar with what to do in a situation that requires first aid.

Additional training and licensure training

Some states require private investigators to take a training course in order to attain and retain the mandated licensure. This can be helpful in teaching investigators some basic safety precautions as well as things that they need to know to do the job. This type of training is usually listed with the government agency that issues licensure. It can be through an association, a private investigations company, or in some cases through the government.

Investigators could also engage with a mentor to learn tips and skills while on the job. Mentorships are great ways for investigators to gain the experience they need in a hands-on manner.

Finally, investigators who have never undergone any type of formal defensive training should consider taking a course. There are a number of ways that investigators can invest in training, from consulting their state or regional investigator association to looking into defensive classes put on by local police departments, karate studios, and even fitness centers.

Stay safe!

The priority for investigators should always be to preserve their own safety and the safety of those around them. No case is ever worth losing your life. Hopefully, these tips will arm investigators with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe on the job.

Join the Discussion

What do you do to stay safe as a private investigator in the field? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Private Investigator License: Benefit or Boondoggle?

2021-02-25T00:00:00-07:00

The topic of private investigator licensure is one that often provokes a significant amount of commentary. Back in 2012, guest contributor Robert Orozco explained the significance of private investigator licensing in a post that we featured in our PI newsletter. This past summer, we wrote about a bill that would have extended a requirement for private investigators to be licensed in Colorado. The bill was subsequently vetoed by the governor, and the veto action resulted in licensure no longer being a requirement for investigators to operate in that state. In researching this bill and in watching the discussions take place online, we realized just how important the discussion is on licensure for private investigators. We took a deeper look into the ins and outs of licensure and why many PIs say private investigators need to be licensed while others are vehemently opposed. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits and pitfalls of licenses for private investigators.

PI licensure could offer protection

One of the first things that investigators regard as a benefit of licensure is that it helps protect the industry from shady characters who would use the profession for their own personal gain or for other nefarious, criminal practices. In places where no licensure is required, anyone is able to become a private investigator and do the work of an investigator, including surveilling a subject. Consider a situation where an obsessed ex-lover engages in stalking their former flame — there is nothing stopping them from doing that under the guise of being an investigator. Requiring private investigators to have licenses could deter bad actors from tarnishing the field. Those opposed to licensure, on the other hand, contend that while it may deter bad actors, it would not necessarily completely prevent them from infiltrating the field. In that case, the licensure only offers a protective facade that ultimately could be more harmful than good.

PI licensure could provide credibility

Requiring licensure could lend credibility to those who operate as investigators because it would mean they had completed some training, passed a background check, and to some extent, knew what they were doing. This could be beneficial to private investigators as it would provide a layer of trust for clients who seek investigators. Additionally, the ex-lover-turned-stalker scenario would not be as likely if PIs were required to go through training in order to obtain a license. That could also mean that the legitimate investigators in the field would not be subject to having their business tactics questioned.

Additionally, some PIs say that having licensure in the industry could offer some credibility in the legal arena, where lobbyists would otherwise not take them seriously without it. Lobbyists can impact legislation and protect private investigators from laws that could infringe on their ability to do their jobs. Without licensure and those looking out for investigators, there could be no voice — or a voice that counted — for the industry.

PI licenses could keep PIs informed

Some license requirements ultimately force private investigators to pay for and participate in continuous training in order to keep their license current. While this is something that many see as a benefit, others see this as problematic. It creates a situation in which not only are PIs on the hook for paying for the license, but they are also then required to pay for training. Some training programs are better than others so what the investigator gets out of the training is debatable. Most license opponents say that professional development and taking additional training courses is their choice and should not be forced upon them by the government. Another perspective is that this requirement could be biased, favoring those who run the training programs, which often include retired police, FBI, CIA, and military personnel; those in the other camp feel that those offering training programs do have more to offer than the average joe.

Licensed investigators get access

Furthermore, some PIs report that licenses are a prerequisite to getting access to certain jobs and tools of the trade, such as record and database access. Private investigators rely heavily on skip tracing to locate subjects, and not having this access would be detrimental to their ability to do their jobs. The question then becomes if there were no license requirements anywhere, how would these databases determine who could access the information? Who would then be responsible for the cost to approve access?

Government oversight

Government oversight is a subject that, depending on who you ask, either produces fierce opposition or strong proponents. As we mentioned, some investigators feel it should be a choice and any requirements shouldn't be dictated to them by the government. Others feel that having these requirements elevates the profession, and if it takes the government requiring these, it only weeds out those not willing to do the bare minimum. However, things can get complicated for investigators who operate in locations where there are several layers of government oversight in place. In the United States, there could be state license requirements, requirements from the county, and even the municipality, which would all have an associated cost. Some feel that the oversight should be left to private entities, like state associations. That way investigators can choose to adhere to more strict requirements if they want to do so… or not.

Cost to investigators

One of the major criticisms of there being licensure requirements for PIs is that it places additional fees on the investigator simply to operate in their chosen profession. State licensure fees, training fees, mandatory levels of insurance, and more are all now costs of doing business when maintaining a license is a requirement. Running a business, no matter what profession, incurs some costs. Are the license fees too much?

PI license: benefit or boondoggle?

For the most part, investigators have a strong opinion one way or the other about licensing laws. Would a plausible solution be to regulate certain aspects of the profession? None at all? Favor state associations? Continue to have license requirements? PInow represents investigators from all over, regulated and unregulated, so we don’t have a dog in the fight. But no matter which side of the aisle you fall, you can make your voice heard in our groups on social media — or better yet, take action by contacting your legislators and state or regional associations.

Join the Discussion

What is your opinion on requiring licenses for private investigators? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Interview Tips for Private Investigators

2021-02-08T00:00:00-07:00

Private investigators interview people for a number of reasons. Investigators could be conducting interviews for something as benign as a background check or they could be interviewing to get information about a crime or missing person. With that said, most private investigators will agree that no matter the purpose of the interview, interviewing a subject is an art. It’s not always easy to get the information you need out of a person. However, with the right interviewing techniques and questions, investigators can usually get the information that they seek. To make things easier for PIs, we’ve pulled together some tips and input from experienced private investigators that will help you get what you need out of a subject during an interview.

Prepare

It is best to have done some research into the subject and situation (crime, circumstances of missing person, background, etc.) so that you are not going into the interview room with the subject knowing more than you do. Knowing who you are interviewing and their role in the investigation is critical, as is knowing what questions to ask. Those questions vary depending on the investigation, but having a thorough understanding of the situation can point investigators in the right direction.

Private Investigator Michael Horner, who does pre-employment background investigations for a law enforcement agency, often has to interview candidates as well as their partners, family members, and neighbors as well as current and former employers. He explained, “I've found that some intentionally lie or omit information. Some omit by accident. Some don't think some information is relevant. It helps to have a lot of the answers to the questions before asking which helps to determine if they are lying.” The more information you have going into an interview, the more you will be able to test your subjects and the reliability of their answers.

Coming to the interview room prepared puts you as the investigator in a position to know the answers to the questions you are asking and determine if a subject is lying. Even if a subject is confirmed to be lying, knowing that they lied and their motive behind doing so can give you an important lead in your investigation.

Investigator Gilbert Jimenez explained, “After 30,000+ interviews/interrogations I can say this: Everybody lies. Everybody. You will hear/read 100 lies today and will tell 10 yourself. The key is in knowing which lies are important and why they are telling them to you.”

Establish a rapport and be polite

While certainly there are circumstances in which a stronger approach may be warranted, several investigators recommended a more level-headed approach. Investigator Adam Nowick emphasized, “Rapport, rapport, rapport.” This sentiment was echoed by several other investigators as well.

Private Investigator Ford J. Salas cautioned against being tough on subjects, saying, “Being polite can make the job easy. In contrast, tough guy act is unnecessary most of the time. In doing so, you instead discourage or irritate your interviewee, and that won’t be good for you.” As the saying goes, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, and for many investigators, this adage rings true in the interview room.

Canadian Investigator Soulat Arshad from Facts Investigations advised, “Never ask questions in point form making it feel like an actual interview, use a discussion-based strategy, let your subject speak for themselves. With experience, you will develop a strategy called beat around the bush until your subject is comfortable enough to give you the answers to what you're looking for.” Taking the time to have an actual conversation with your subject will make them feel heard and therefore more likely to share information with you. Arshad continued, “I'm never direct about my questions, especially when you're expecting lies for answers. If I ever do need a direct answer to a question, I always build up to it. You cannot start an interview with ‘Are you the murderer?’ The answer will be no 99% of the time.” While it may seem like a waste of time, a subject will rarely reveal anything of importance without some sort of trust built between them and the investigator.

Listen With a Poker Face

When interviewing a subject, investigators may wonder if they’re asking the right questions. While an investigator absolutely needs to ask appropriate questions, often it’s not so much about what they’re asking as it is about what the subject is saying. One key to a good interview is to listen to the subject — and do so without giving away what you’re thinking.

Dale Papes of Northstar Investigations and Security, LLC in Cleveland, Ohio observed, “Some investigators are so impressed with themselves for coming up with such ‘phenomenal questions,’ that they never shut up and let the person answer! Don't ask 500 questions because you think they're great… try to ask 3 questions that will get you the answers that will ‘add meat’ to your investigation.”

The idea that investigators need to listen more continued as other investigators chimed in. Private Investigator Scott MacLean offered the following advice: “I would caution all investigators conducting interviews to focus on your listening skills. The subject of your interview will fill in ‘pregnant pauses.’ Don’t answer your question for them. Lastly, don’t show any reaction to any nefarious comments. If there are issues, address them last or circle back to them. If you react harshly to the first previously known or developed nefarious information, you will intimidate the subject from providing additional information later.” If you’re in a rush to do the talking, you may not be leaving enough time for the subject to answer fully.

Don't ask 500 questions because you think they're great… try to ask 3 questions that will get you the answers that will ‘add meat’ to your investigation.” - Dale Papes, Northstar Investigations and Security

It’s also wise to observe your subject’s level of intelligence. Never assume you’re the smartest person in the room. Private investigator Jeff Rehorn explained, “[...] learn to control your emotions and facial expressions. Many have been in that seat before and know how to read you as well.”

Additionally, don’t be afraid of being quiet. PI Adam Kusinitz explained, “[...]People are naturally uncomfortable with silence. Ask the question and then shut up. People will answer the question then pause. If you wait a bit longer, they normally add and add info because they feel they didn't answer. That's when you get the good info. If you ever watched a couple on a first date, they don't stop yapping vs an older married couple who can sit quietly and just enjoy each other's company.” Allow the subject to fill the silence if they feel the need to.

Ultimately, investigators should listen carefully for clues and not give away their reactions to what they have learned.

Behavior and body language

It’s important to know what to expect when it comes to body language. Understanding the most tell-tale signs of typical nervousness versus being untruthful can prove to be valuable in an investigation. In relaying his interviewing tips, investigator Michael Horner also offered that “body language and facial expressions can tell me a lot.”

With four decades of experience, veteran PI Jeff Rehorn advised, “you have to take notice of culture and environment. Learn body language, breathing, and always ask questions you know will be answered correctly before you ask the tough questions. Watch and learn the words they use. I took a course in handwriting analysis. It’s not used that much anymore, but you can ask questions and have the questions answered in writing. After a while, you’ll be able to use those writings as a gauge to do follow-up interviews.” It’s vital that investigators keep track of the context of the case and their surroundings as well as how the subject interacts with these factors.

By not only listening to the subject but also paying attention to their behavior, investigators can interpret important tells that give clues to the real story and get the investigator closer to closing the case.

Document and record

Another important tip is to document and/or record the interview. Be cognizant of recording consent laws as you may need consent to record, depending on the laws of your state or province. However, having a record of the interview with video or audio whenever possible can prove to be incredibly valuable for the investigation. Not only can the lead investigator look back on the interview, but other investigator associates can review and offer their input.

Additionally, a record of the interview gives investigators the ability to go back and rewatch or re-listen, perhaps catching information they missed when the interview was occurring. Finally, be sure to follow up. There is nothing wrong with conducting a second interview if necessary.

Finally, though this does depend on the type of case, recordings could be beneficial in future court proceedings as well. Investigators should take notes to document important statements during the interview in case they could be used as evidence later on.

Interviewing for today and tomorrow

One advantage investigators have over potentially difficult subjects is the ability to advance and refine their interviewing skills. Investigators can do this by networking with other investigators and sharing their techniques, reading, observing, and participating in training programs.

Many private investigators hailed the Wicklander-Zulawski training program as the gold standard in interviewing training. Investigator Scott MacLean also recommended the book Spy The Lie. Although many interviewing techniques are learned through experience, there is something to be said for going the extra mile.

Join the Discussion

What techniques do you use when interviewing? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Driving History as a Private Investigation Tool

2021-01-13T00:00:00-07:00

Editor's Note: This article was written by Steven Mason of Mason Investigative Solutions about historical scene canvassing using body cameras. The opinions expressed here belong to Steven Mason.

If you’ve been a private investigator for any length of time, chances are you’ve researched an individual’s driving history – a significant source of information and intelligence in almost any type of legal case, from civil litigation to family law. Such an investigation can uncover information about vehicles associated with the individual, locations frequented, alcohol and drug abuse, current and previous residences, persistent failure to obey traffic laws, accident history, failure to follow court orders, and a host of other useful data. You also likely know that accurately determining an individual’s driving history, much like uncovering a person’s criminal history, is rarely a straightforward process. But it is possible when you know where to look and what steps to take.

Motor vehicle Division Records

A common misconception is that a state’s Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) possesses and reports the complete driving record of anyone who is licensed or has a registered vehicle in the state. As much as that might make sense, it’s seldom the case. Thanks to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), most private investigators have access to records held by their state’s MVD, which does make an investigator’s job somewhat easier.

The way in which driving records are updated (or not, as is often the case) is another hurdle in obtaining a complete record from the MVD. In almost all jurisdictions, documentation of driving infractions follows a similar course: a law enforcement agency cites an individual for failure to obey traffic laws. After the officer issues the citation, a copy of the citation is filed with the court of jurisdiction, the issuing law enforcement agency’s records department, the prosecutor’s office (criminal citations), and the MVD.

Once the case is disposed of, the court is supposed to send the final disposition to the MVD for inclusion in the individual’s driving record, but that frequently doesn’t happen. Even when dispositions are accurately recorded, many MVDs provide only a list of convictions, rather than a comprehensive record of all dispositions, to a requesting investigator. Whether or not dispositions are accurately recorded, the all-too-frequent result for investigators is an incomplete record. Fortunately, there are steps investigators can take to fill in the missing pieces, as detailed below.

Investigative Steps

The first step in compiling an accurate record of a person’s driving history, as in any investigation, is to fully confirm the identity of the person being researched. Generally, some of this information will come from the client, supplemented by proprietary database research to verify the spelling of the subject’s name, date of birth, and social security number. Some proprietary databases will even provide the individual’s driver’s license number.

While you’re logged in to a proprietary database, go ahead and run a criminal records search and address report, assuming you have a permissible purpose for doing so. These searches will help you identify the individual’s address history as well as potential traffic infraction records. Although these databases can provide useful data, that information can occasionally be inaccurate. The upshot is that you should treat all recorded incidents as potential issues until you can verify that they actually are infractions.

Once you have the full identity and address history of the individual you’re researching and perhaps some useful criminal record leads, it’s now time to submit a request to the MVD offices in all states where the individual has resided. If you are not familiar with how to access your state’s MVD records, ask a local private investigator to guide you through the steps. Remember, as a private investigator, your network is everything! You should be able to obtain an extended driving record from the MVD, although the time period covered by MVD records will vary from state to state. Also, as noted, the MVD in many states will provide only a list of convictions, which may or may not be helpful depending on your investigative goals.

Find a Private Investigator

Use PInow to find a pre-screened private investigator in your area.

The next step in compiling a thorough driving history is to research court records. Remember, courts receive a copy of the citation, but they don’t always ensure that the case disposition is sent to the MVD. Using the address history obtained during your proprietary database checks, research court records in all jurisdictions covered by the address history. If you can research court records for the entire state where the individual has lived, even better. In many cases, you’ll find that a court record does not appear on your certified MVD driving record for the individual or, equally important, that the records provided by the court and MVD contain different information.

The final step in developing an accurate driver history is to research records maintained by every law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over where your target has lived. Again, using the address history you compiled from the proprietary databases, make a list of all law enforcement jurisdictions that may hold traffic records for your subject. From there, file public record requests with those law enforcement agencies seeking a list of all involvements and department contacts. Although this task may seem tedious, the payoff can be enormous. Armed with this list, you can obtain a host of additional law enforcement records that will undoubtedly tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the traffic contact.

Now that you have obtained traffic records from the MVD, courts, proprietary databases, and law enforcement agencies, you can accurately report the individual’s true driving history to your client. What’s more, you can use the wealth of information you’ve obtained about your subject to further any investigative goals beyond uncovering traffic records.

Real-World Example

Last year, a law firm retained me to locate an individual who was one of the FBI’s most wanted fraud fugitives. After carefully studying the fugitive’s address history, I discovered the name of a woman who seemingly used all the same UPS Store P.O. boxes as the fugitive. I quickly identified the woman and went to work building her driver’s history to assist in locating her (she and the fugitive moved to different states frequently). My theory was that if I could locate the woman, I would most likely locate the fugitive – an old trick I had learned as a young deputy U.S. marshal.

After compiling driver records and associated vehicle information from all the sources mentioned above, I had an increasingly growing list of vehicles associated with the woman. As with the fugitive’s address history, one thing about many of the vehicles stood out: they were registered either to the same company or to a company with a similar name. Armed with this information, I requested a new search at the MVD of all the vehicles registered to those companies. With the new list of vehicles in hand, I was able to trace the vehicles using license plate reader technology and located the hiding spot for the fugitive. Shortly thereafter, he was taken into custody.

Conclusion

While the depth of our investigations can often be constrained by budgets and deadlines, knowing how to accurately determine an individual’s true driving record can be a game-changer in case success.

About the Author

Private investigator Steven Mason of Mason Investigative Solutions is a former federal criminal investigator and certified Federal Law Enforcement Training Center adjunct instructor. Mr. Mason holds a bachelor’s degree in intelligence from the American Military University, graduating summa cum laude. His area of specialty includes criminal defense and complex civil litigation.

Join the Discussion

How do you determine an individual's driving history? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Best PInow Articles of 2020

2020-12-30T00:00:00-07:00

While 2020 was full of uncertainty, PInow’s goal remained to provide relevant and helpful content to all manner of private investigator. We hope that throughout the COVID crisis, our articles provided a place you could turn to for support and information, whether you wanted to learn more about the pandemic or be distracted from all the chaos. Here are some of the articles that you, our readers, read and shared the most. Thank you to our readers and guest writers and here’s to a new year that’s better than the last!

How Private Investigators Fight Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a global crisis but not many know how prevalent it is in the US. As a private investigator, there is a lot you can do to combat this escalating epidemic. Here’s all the information you need to know to get involved in investigating this vital type of case.

Read How Private Investigators Fight Human Trafficking.

License Plate Recognition Technology for Private Investigators

Though license plates have always been a valuable resource for investigators, technology now enables users to track specific vehicles. Learn more about license plate recognition (LPR) technology and the controversy surrounding it below.

Read License Plate Recognition Technology for Private Investigators.

How Private Investigators can get Insurance Adjuster Clients

In this guest article, Valerie McGilvrey shares her experience reaching a client base that investigators often struggle to reach: insurance companies. After working for an insurance agency herself, McGilvrey provides everything you need to know to appeal to such clients.

Read How Private Investigators can get Insurance Adjuster Clients.

Unconventional Surveillance Techniques: Smartphone Apps

Most people these days have smartphones and these same people are typically unaware of how much information they are sharing about themselves via commonly used apps. You can take advantage of this as a private investigator you just need to know which apps to look for.

Read Unconventional Surveillance Techniques: Smartphone Apps.

Private Investigators See More Cases Due to Coronavirus

The COVID-19 pandemic hit businesses hard for a number of reasons but it also provided a certain level of opportunity for private investigators. Stay at home measures and heightened tensions have increased various kinds of cases.

Read Private Investigators See More Cases Due to Coronavirus.

Colorado Governor Vetoes Bill to Extend Private Investigator Licensure Requirements

Most states require some sort of license in order to practice as a private investigator and many believe such requirements are necessary to regulate and legitimize investigations. Previously, Colorado was no exception but leadership recently decided licensure will not be required.

Read Colorado Governor Vetoes Bill to Extend Private Investigator Licensure Requirements.

When to Turn Down Jobs

Getting a new job opportunity for anyone running their own business but there are some jobs that private investigators should avoid. Here are some situations in which it is more appropriate to turn down an investigation job.

Read When to Turn Down Jobs.

Why Private Investigators are Vital in the #MeToo Era

Workplace investigations have always been important but even more so following the #MeToo movement. Guest writer Carie McMichael expands on the important role of private investigators in these investigations.

Read Why Private Investigators are Vital in the #MeToo Era.

Join the Discussion

Which 2020 PInow articles were your favorite? Share your thoughts by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

How Private Investigators Can Give Back in the 2020 Holiday Season

2020-12-14T00:00:00-07:00

With the holiday season upon us, businesses in every industry, including those in private investigations, reflect on the past year and think about how grateful they are for their clients, employees, and work. The opportunity to show appreciation and give back to the community is one that provides fulfillment and joy to both the giver and the recipient. Keep reading to learn different ways you can give back this year.

Tokens of appreciation

Most people appreciate a kind gesture that shows they are appreciated. Many investigators choose to send a small gift to the offices of their most valued clients and/or to their employees. This is something that can still be done in a pandemic world, and it shows that you’re thinking about your employees and clients.

Gift of giving

Instead of sending a gift, another option is to make a contribution to a local non-profit or charity of choice and let your customers know that because of them, you were able to give back to the community. It always feels good to give back, and this way allows you to thank your customers and help a local non-profit.

Food/coat/toy drives

While COVID-19 prevents some charities such as children’s hospitals from accepting toys, many others are still accepting donations. For those that aren’t able to accept physical gifts, gift cards are always appreciated. The good news is that there are still many options despite the pandemic. Toy drives, coat drives, and food drives are still going on — and there are plenty of options. You could host a Toys for Tots drive or simply contribute to one that is hosted elsewhere. Another option is to select an Angel on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree to help provide kids who would otherwise go without Christmas gifts. Hosting drives for canned goods and coats are also great ways to help the less fortunate during the holiday season.

Holiday Promotions

Investigators may want to offer their clients a break on pricing over the holidays by running a holiday promotion. This allows you to still bring in work while spreading holiday cheer.

Volunteer/Donate Services

Giving back to the community is something that helps others and makes you feel good. For investigators, it might be the perfect time to pick a pro-bono case, volunteer at a local food bank or shelter, or even volunteer at an animal shelter.

Host an American Red Cross Blood Drive

Now more than ever, blood and plasma donations are needed. Hosting a blood drive can help community hospitals and be a great event that is pandemic-friendly. Visit the Red Cross online to see how and when you can schedule a blood drive at your office.

Office Party Alternatives

With the cancellation of most typical end of year parties due to the pandemic, the world we live in is entirely different than this time last year. Some offices are opting for virtual parties or forgoing them all together in lieu of some of the other options listed. However, another great option is to schedule a holiday lights walk or drive-through.

Cheers to 2021!

It goes without saying that 2020 was anything but a typical year with its many challenges. We hope this list provides you with some ideas as to how you can give back this holiday season and spread some holiday cheer!

Join the Discussion

How do you give back this time of year? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Overcoming Bias in Private Investigations

2020-12-01T00:00:00-07:00

Whether the subject matter of a private investigation case is too personal or something else colors perspective, succumbing to bias is something that all private investigators have faced at some time or another. After all, private investigators are human and we are all subject to the same propensity toward unconscious (and perhaps even conscious) biases. A bias occurs when someone has a preconceived notion or opinion of someone or something, which can lead to errors in judgment. For investigators to do their job accurately, expertly, and efficiently, it is important for them to recognize their own bias in a case, understand how bias can be harmful to a case, and learn techniques to mitigate or eliminate their bias.

How Bias Can Be Harmful to a Private Investigation

Clients expect that investigators are giving a case their unclouded judgment, their “all.” If an investigator is biased, it can harm the investigation in multiple ways. An investigator could overlook a potential suspect, miss important evidence or facts, or even incorrectly judge witnesses or tipsters who could otherwise provide valuable information. An investigator could also collect the wrong type of evidence or follow a dead-end path that wastes valuable time.

While many seasoned investigators might think that their skillset and intuition has never led them astray before, it is important to perform a self-check to ensure that they are performing investigations without clouded judgment or bias.

How to Recognize Your Own Bias in Investigations

First, investigators should acknowledge that everyone is capable of being biased, including themselves, because it is part of human nature. Everyone has preferences, but bias comes into play when those preferences can influence a person’s behavior and cause an error in judgment. This can be difficult to acknowledge, especially for investigators, because it can be hard to accept such a flaw. However, doing so will make for better investigators and more honest work.

One way in which investigators can check their own bias is to use substitution, according to an article published in the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants Executive Talent magazine. This entails asking questions such as: Would the investigator feel the same way and act the same way if they substituted the person or place with another? Would they feel differently? Using substitution, an investigator can begin to realize situations in which they may be biased and start doing the work to remedy it. Thinking critically about the situation and individuals at hand can help investigators make sound decisions. Another excellent way to avoid bias in investigations is to have trusted colleagues in the field. Getting a second opinion on what action to take or whether or not bias has come into play can be incredibly valuable for investigators.

What Private Investigators Can Do About Bias in Investigations

It is important to take the time to learn about biases. Understanding what bias is can help individuals recognize their own preferences and tendencies to be biased. Investigators can learn more about bias by reading about it. Attorney Amy Oppenheimer is well known for her work in bias. She published a paper on the psychology of bias, which can be read for free online. Investigators can also review the Slideshare slides from a webinar entitled “Eliminating Bias in Investigations” that Oppenheimer conducted. Though lengthy, the slides are informative and walk the viewer through identifying and understanding bias, how bias impacts investigations, and more.

Once an investigator acknowledges that they can have bias without realizing it, they can begin questioning and learning about his or her own biases. The University of California San Francisco offers excellent study material, including videos that can introduce you to the topic of bias. Additionally, investigators or individuals alike can take a brief test developed by three scientists who later formed “Project Implicit,” which is a nonprofit organization. The test is offered online and is hosted by Harvard.edu.

Additionally, investigators can engage in professional development courses that cover this material. While our post is intended to help, a full course may provide more details and information that can be helpful for investigators working to overcome bias. The Association of Certified Fraud Investigators also offers a self-study online program that focuses on bias.

Be Better Investigators

All investigators want to be capable of doing their very best. Identifying, understanding, and challenging one’s own bias is just one way that investigators can work to be better.

Join the Discussion

What techniques do you use to overcome bias while investigating? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Unconventional Surveillance Techniques: Smartphone Apps

2020-11-12T00:00:00-07:00

Let’s face it, people are being surveilled everywhere. From street corner cameras to the apps on an individual’s phone, a person’s whereabouts are constantly being recorded, and especially in cases of smartphone apps, this data is often publicly shared. Unbeknownst to many smartphone users and to the benefit of private investigators, some of the data is publicly available. Let’s explore how this data is published and learn about some of the apps that private investigators can use to track down subjects.

Social Media, Privacy, and Surveillance

Social media has simply become a part of today’s world. According to a June 2019 study from the Pew Research Center, approximately 7 in 10 Americans have a social media account. When people think about social media, they often think about the most popular apps including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube. Each of these apps — and countless others — have their own privacy terms, their own privacy settings to navigate, and their own sharing capabilities. While many people are thinking about privacy and are concerned about it, many simply aren’t sure how to secure the apps even if they can find security settings within the app. Even when users can find the app and want to change the settings, doing so can impact the functionality or result in incessant pop-ups that many users ignore, sacrificing their privacy in favor of the unfettered ability to use the app. A 2019 Wired.com article on privacy made a poignant argument that “Tech companies have made it a choice between convenience and privacy, and convenience will always win.”

Tech companies have made it a choice between convenience and privacy, and convenience will always win.”

With that said, the issue is glaring: privacy remains a problem for users and tech companies. But for private investigators, it presents an opportunity to add a new skill set to their resume and a new way to locate a subject that can prove to be beneficial, and especially so when traditional methods fail.

Investigators should think about their subject and what interests them to determine what apps to review — because there’s probably an app for that. Joseph Jones, who is the Vice President of Bosco Legal Services, a Certified Social Media Intelligence Expert, and a Certified Expert In Cyber Investigations, explained: “The number of apps that can be used to track someone’s movements outside of major social media are almost countless. The question to start with is what are their hobbies? From there you can do a more surgical search on platforms specific to their interests. Examples: Are they into running or hiking? Check Strava, or Alltrails. Are they into drinking? Check Untappd. Are they an ex-con? Check Inmateconnection.”

The number of apps that can be used to track someone’s movements outside of major social media are almost countless."

The Not-So-Unconventional Facebook (and Instagram, Twitter)

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have long been revered as the biggest names in social media. These social media giants enjoy widespread popularity and users are sharing everything from their breakfast to the route of their daily run. If a user’s information is public, it can be a goldmine for private investigators, with data including recent and old pictures, their current and past locations, with whom they spend their time, and even current thoughts and mental state. If an individual’s information is not public, PIs can look to their friends list, listed relationships and family members, reviews, geotagged locations on pictures, and more for clues on the individual’s whereabouts.

However, there are plenty more options beyond Facebook. Bosco Legal Services’ Joseph Jones also revealed, “The new Facebook search options are pretty good, so definitely kick the tires on them and the advanced search features they offer. That being said, many investigators' biggest problem is they focus too much on Facebook. Yes, it’s still got some decent stuff, but it’s been a long time since it was the king of social media.”

Fitness Tracking Apps: Strava, Map My Run, Nike+ Run Club, Alltrails

Those who are just getting back into fitness use different fitness tracking apps for accountability and to see just how far they have run, walked, or biked, and similarly, fitness fanatics often love sharing their love of exercise with others who share their passion. Many users end up downloading and using popular fitness apps, such as Strava, MapMyRun/Ride, and the Nike+ Run Club. And, as we mentioned previously, privacy isn’t always a user’s first concern, especially when the apps are automatically set to share a user’s information and require a user to opt out, as reported in Wired. The popular app Strava got into hot water when soldiers were logging and sharing their exercises, making secret army base locations not-so-secret. As a result, the where and when data complete with a map is public to anyone who chooses to look for it. And to make matters even more open, many users will not only publish these maps to the community within that app, but some will screenshot and share to their other social media apps, which can let savvy PIs know where they’ll be — and for those in regular routines — when they’ll be there.

Untappd

If the subject isn’t into fitness, maybe they’re into drinking. Untappd is an app for users who like to try different craft beers. The app’s motto is “Drink socially!” but it might as well read: try different craft beers and broadcast your location to the world! A rewards-based system encourages users to explore craft beer and independent breweries, checking in to earn badges. The information is publicly available, and like many others, can be shared with an even larger audience when shared on other social media platforms. Surveillance is easy when the subject is broadcasting his or her location.

Dating Apps

Even subjects get lonely. There are a number of different dating apps that allow users to meet different matches and many of them are free. Although some require a subscription, the fee might be worth it in the long run. Most dating apps allow users to set their profiles to only match with other users within a certain geographical area. This would give private investigators an idea of where the person is located, possibly a recent picture, any aliases they might be going by, and more. As Jones relayed, there are dating apps unique to everyone, so think about who the subject is to narrow down what dating apps to check out.

Yelp, Google Reviews

Businesses rely on user reviews to boost brand visibility and to secure new customers. Each is tied to a user account which, depending on the user, will share different information about them — sometimes even including a picture of the user. Private investigators who are having trouble finding a subject can create an account and search for known user handles or email addresses to discover the reviews. Yelp makes it easy for users to connect. And while not the best option for large cities, PIs can also peruse reviews in an area where they think a user might be. While this might not be a direct route and certainly not a first choice, it can help narrow down a needle in a haystack or potentially provide a lead when all other methods have been exhausted.

Snap Maps on Snap Chat

Snap Chat is an app where users send photos and/or short videos to other users on their list of friends. Users also have the functionality to add their “snaps,” aka the short videos or photos, to their “story,” which depending on their settings, can be viewed from anyone with the app, whether or not they are “friends.” Users who are not “friends” with the individual can view the snaps via the Snap Map, which shows a map with glowing “hotspots,” or areas where snaps have been taken, that when tapped, can be viewed. Previously, any user could see where all users were on the Snap Map until privacy measures changed after concerns were raised. Again, this is not the most accessible method of surveillance, but it has the potential to be beneficial for PIs, particularly if the subject is active on social media and also unaware of privacy settings.

Google’s Image Search

Have a picture of a subject? You can upload it online to Google’s search engine and see if it or others like it exist online. It’s as simple as downloading the app and uploading the photo. You’d be surprised where it might pop up. And while we are at it, if you have an idea where a subject might live or the type of car they drive, you can always take a cruise down Google Street View or Google Maps to see whose car is in the driveway. While it would be a long shot, the information is out there.

The App Advantage for Private Investigators

At the end of the day, private investigators have a wealth of information at their fingertips and a lot of it is accessible for free. The aforementioned apps are all unconventional methods of locating a subject and they might not be the first-choice method for an investigator to use to dive into an investigation. However, they can prove to be very worthwhile, especially when used in conjunction with other, more conventional methods of investigating and locating a subject. Consider the days before tech proliferated and infiltrated every aspect of our lives — we’ve come a long way from digging through garbage, photos on milk cartons, and flyers. BRB, going to go double-check all my privacy settings now.

Join the Discussion

Have you used unconventional apps in your surveillance? Share your experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

How COVID-19 Restrictions Changed Private Investigations

2020-10-28T00:00:00-06:00

While many states have opened back up for business, others are still enforcing social distancing mandates, remote working and learning, and encouraging people to stay at home. Undoubtedly, the change in these behaviors has altered, at least in some ways, how private investigators conduct their investigations. Now, as we are now six months into living in a world with COVID-19, we are taking a moment to reflect on how restrictions and the virus have impacted the industry.

Some work volumes changed

Like many industries, work abruptly slowed down for some investigators in March when COVID-19 first began proliferating in the United States. Although some cases stopped altogether, the good news is that, according to private investigators, the majority of the work appears to have recovered.

Rob Slattery, a private investigator out of Ohio, explained, “Most work stopped in March and all courts shut down. Workers’ comp cases and background checks are picking up quite a bit this past month. [...] Some criminal cases are rolling again.”

One investigator from Trident Investigations explained, “For me in Salt Lake, the hardest thing was any hands-on [work]. Interviewing people (which can be done over the phone depending on the type of case) got pushed and pulling trash was temporarily discontinued. [...] As far as everything else i.e. family and PI cases, all stayed pretty much the same here. Work dried up for a few weeks and then started to flow until tax season hit. Kicking back up again. For family cases (mostly custody and infidelity) things got a little busier here after the initial lockdown. Domestic violence rates went up, which is leading to more divorce and custody cases now.[...] Personal injury only slowed as most offices were closed. That’s picking up now too. Criminal all but dried up. That is picking up now too.”

Another investigator noted that his initial expectation was that work wouldn’t resume until 2021, but that quickly changed. Michael Horner of Blackstar Investigative Research Services advised that, although there are some COVID restrictions, work has picked back up: “[...] Just started a contract conducting pre-employment background checks for a company that contracts with a state agency and private prisons. I got the contract right around the time COVID hit. At first, they told me there would be no work until early 2021, but that changed quickly. Now I'm out meeting job candidates, in-person to do background interviews with them.”

Jimmie Mesis, CEO of USA Bugsweeps based out of New Jersey, explained, “We saw a drop in February and March, but have beaten last year's numbers every month starting in April. We only conduct bug sweeps nationwide and have to visit houses and businesses. We are on several planes every week, but security and paranoia never stop clients from calling us. We just adapt, overcome, and keep moving forward.”

Other investigators have been more fortunate, with investigator Dean Beers asserting that work has been “Business as usual for us — our clients had to adjust, and some things quickly developed or became more useful. If anything, clients had to learn patience.”

Surveillance shut down

Surveillance cases have posed a significant challenge for private investigators for a few reasons. First, many people are or have been sheltering in place and/or working remotely, which means they aren’t leaving the house that often. Other factors included the shutdown of businesses in which a subject would frequent, such as a bar or a gym, which were both impacted by COVID-19 restrictions in many states.

One Salt Lake City investigator told us, “Going undercover in businesses was hard as most were closed.”

Simply not having people out and about has made an impact on investigators’ ability to surveil subjects. North Carolina investigator Brett Roth with Blue Falcons Investigation noted that, “People aren’t moving around, going places and being human anymore, making catching PDA and other activities harder.” The outlook hasn’t all been bleak, though, as he advised, “Criminal activity is higher.”

Echoing a similar sentiment, Investigator Chad Regan, whose business focuses on insurance fraud and family law investigations in Southern California, noted an increase in the difficulty of surveillance jobs. He explained that while business has picked up from attorneys, “[...] the subjects under surveillance are definitely not as active as we would normally see, as most businesses are either closed or have restricted openings, which is keeping most individuals home.”

While it appears that most investigators were able to keep working, the volume of cases slowed down. Others weren’t that lucky as some types of cases stopped altogether, at least in the beginning. While some of these instances were voluntary, there are others who were harder hit where the work just didn’t come.

Focusing on other types of cases, at least temporarily, seemed to be a prudent decision for some as there was significant uncertainty regarding the virus. Alexandre Charles Matti with ACM Investigations out of South Dakota explained how his business pivoted during the initial restrictions: “We didn’t take new clients for surveillance cases, and we did focus more on online investigations and smaller tasks. But that’s all. Not much changed overall for us.”

Ryan Davis explained a similar tactic, “For a while early on, surveillance was tough as the clients didn’t want to jump at [...] insurance cases.” He continued, explaining that the uncertainty regarding how the insurance cases would be handled resulted in the decision to stop surveillance cases. Other impacts were related to records. “Basically, anything we need to do records-wise we are hit or miss, as some of the courthouses aren’t allowing access.”

Future impacts?

While it appears that surveillance took the brunt of the negative impact of COVID-19 restrictions, other types of PI work appear to have normalized somewhat, if impacted at all. With the unique challenges that the virus has brought forth in terms of accurate surveillance, there is a question of how future cases will be affected by COVID-19 complications.

For example, with doctors and scientists still learning about the virus, many people are wearing face coverings in an attempt to protect themselves and others from infection. This obscures an individual’s identity and can make it harder to make a positive confirmation.

Virginia investigator Brian Griffith explained, “The mask-wearing is really weird with getting good face ID shots on claimants/subjects in worker’s comp cases[...] It's more of an issue when there are identity questions on our subject claimant as could cause a family member to be mistaken for the subject/claimant.” He continued and speculated on how this doubt could affect court cases, “There are plenty of situations where I can confidently say I got the right subject/ claimant, while the mask just may give enough doubt to identity as far as court proceedings. I think that's the arguments that will arise in the next year when the court hearings start happening in relation to surveillance video obtained these past six months.”

Other concerns could include a virus resurgence that would mandate emergency stay-at-home orders, impacting what types of cases PIs would be able to take on and how the courts would deal with that situation. There unfortunately are still many unknowns.

Moving forward

Most everyone is ready to get back to normal — the old normal — back when masks were not mandatory and there wasn’t a novel virus changing our world. Only time will tell when that will happen moving forward, but until then, stay safe!

Join the Discussion

Have you experienced a change in the industry because of COVID? Share your thoughts by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Virtual Events for Private Investigators

2020-10-14T00:00:00-06:00

With COVID-19 restrictions still in place across the country, many industry conferences and events have been postponed until 2021 or later. For private investigators looking to engage with other industry professionals, network, and learn more about what’s going on in the industry, virtual events are helping to fill the gap. Most of the time, private investigator industry events and trade shows are hosted by private investigator state or regional associations. State private investigator associations provide PIs with a variety of benefits, often including but not limited to advertising/directory listings, legislative lobbying, legislative updates, networking, and business development opportunities. Check out what’s coming to a computer, tablet, or smartphone near you!

California Association of Private Investigators (CALI) Business Development Webinar

October 8, 2020 and October 22, 2020
These two business development webinars focus on different ways private investigators can grow their business. The first session, which will be held on October 8th, will focus on how private investigators can utilize LinkedIn. The second session, held on October 22nd, will focus on professional development. This event is free, but registration is required. Register here and learn more about the speakers and event sponsors.

Georgia Association of Professional Private Investigators Membership Meeting

October 13, 2020
For members of the Georgia Association of Private Investigators (GAPPI), the membership meeting will cover how to stay safe in this increasingly dangerous world and will feature event speaker Michael "Mak” Makropoulos. While this event is free, PIs should contact Lisa at 404-766-1632 or email lisa@ahqi.com to register for the event or for more information.

North Carolina Association of Private Investigators 2020 Fall Conference

November 3-5, 2020
This virtual conference is available free to NCAPI members, but non-members are welcome to participate with a $50 registration fee. Attendees will hear from a variety of knowledgeable speakers who work in the profession and will learn about a variety of topics ranging from industry news and updates, PI insurance, surveillance, GPS, and more. The conference qualifies investigators for 12 hours of continuing education unit (CEU). Learn more about the annual conference and register online by visiting the event website.

17th Annual GAPPI Southeast Investigators Conference (Virtual)

November 6th, 2020
The 17th Annual GAPPI Southeast Investigators Conference will address ethics, surveillance techniques, and interview strategies in three different sessions taking place over the course of the day. This event provides attendees with six hours of continuing education credits and is available to state association members for $99.00. Nonmembers, students, and those seeking firearms requalification pay different rates. Learn more about this exciting opportunity and check out the agenda by visiting the conference web page.

Virtual for Now

While everyone is certainly looking forward to the day where the entire nation is able to return to normal events and activities, virtual events are an excellent opportunity for private investigators to not totally miss out on that experience. The good thing is that virtual events, while not always ideal, come with a number of benefits over attending events in person. Most virtual events are either free or at a low price point and obviously won’t include the typical fees associated with traveling to a conference. Additionally, PIs can participate in virtual events from anywhere, making them easier than ever to attend and experience. Until everyone, everywhere is comfortable gathering, virtual events offer a unique solution to a situation that would otherwise not have a remedy.

Join the Discussion

Do you know of additional upcoming virtual events for private investigators? Share your knowledge by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Adding News to Your Investigations

2020-09-29T00:00:00-06:00

Editor's note: This article was written by Marcy Phelps of Marcy Phelps & Associates Inc.. The opinions expressed here belong to Marcy Phelps.

News research is an important part of just about any type of investigation. From due diligence and background checks, to workers’ compensation or other fraud investigations, to preparing for criminal or civil court, it pays to dig deep into the news. But searching for online news is challenging even for experienced researchers so it helps to have a strategy for getting the most out of your sources in the least amount of time.

When I talk about news searching with other investigators and researchers, these are the questions — and answers — that most often come up:

Why is it so important to include news research?

News sources contain information that you may not find elsewhere so they help to fill in any gaps you may have. For example, a lot of legal issues never make it into court, but they do make the news. You can also dig into the past and discover what someone’s been hiding on their resume. Recently, there were articles we uncovered that confirmed a conflict of interest not identified through public records. The news is where you’ll find the “color” including opinions and patterns of behavior.

Why is news searching so challenging?

One problem is the amount of information. Sometimes there’s too little and sometimes there’s too much. Another issue is that there are so many sources for news stories, both free and fee-based, that it’s hard to know what’s best for your specific investigation. These challenges mean news searching is time-consuming so it’s important to manage client expectations about budget and turnaround time.

What tips can help improve results?

Here are some of my favorite tips that I’ve learned along the way:

Go beyond Google: Google is a good place to start, but it will just scratch the surface of information you can find. Search in a variety of places because you’ll be surprised by how little overlap there is between the different sources.

Be prepared to pay: If you’re relying on just free sources, you might miss something important and you may be spending more time than necessary on your research. Fee-based sources include unique content and pro tools for quick searching and downloading.

Look for leads to more information: You may not find the answers to your exact questions, but you could find something that will at least point you in the right direction including experts, additional keywords, or links to related articles.

Avoid tunnel vision or confirmation bias: Keep an open mind and don’t just look for what verifies your suspicions or point of view. Start broad and narrow your searches as needed.

Watch out for misinformation: Use reliable news sources and consider everything you find with a healthy dose of skepticism. Verify what you can and use disclaimers for what you can’t.

Try searching from another country: Google personalizes searches so use a VPN to change your location. This is especially important, for example, if the subject of your investigation lives or works elsewhere in the world.

Learn the tricks of the trade: Familiarize yourself with any advanced search features or tips that will improve results. Ask technical or customer support, if available, for help with creating and refining your searches.

Don’t forget the local news: Local sources love their home town heroes so you’ll see deeper coverage on people and companies from that place. Also, the local media focus on area events long after the national outlets have moved on to other stories.

What sources do investigators like to use for news searching?

When deciding on your sources, investigators agree that the choice depends on client budget and time frame. Sometimes the type of investigation or level of risk dictates how deep you need to go, but no matter the budget, never rely on just one source. Here’s a list of some of my favorites for news searching:

Google and other search engines such as BizNar, Bing, and DuckDuckGo
Links to local news outlets: ABYZ News Links (global) and American City Business Journals
Fee-based databases:

Add depth and color to your investigations through news research. For better results, take the time to go beyond Google, turning to a variety of trusted sources and a strategy for using them.

About the Author

As the founder and president of Marcy Phelps & Associates Inc., Marcy helps clients identify and prevent fraud through background investigations and asset discovery. She started her company in 2000 after earning a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Denver. A Certified Fraud Examiner, Marcy frequently speaks and writes on topics related to investigations and online research, and she is the author of Research on Main Street: Using the Web to Find Local Business and Market Information.

Join the Discussion

Do you have experience with using news sources in your research? Share your thoughts by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

10 Ways To Freshen Up Your Private Investigation Business

2020-09-15T00:00:00-06:00

Editor's note: This article was written by Rachele' Davis of New Hope Investigations.The opinions expressed here belong to Rachele' Davis.

Many private investigators have experienced a slowdown in work during these last six months as a result of the pandemic. With more time on our hands, we should freshen up our businesses and our skills.

If you’re anything like me, there are always items on your “to-do” list. As with any business, emails pile up, workspaces get cluttered, and we neglect the areas of our businesses that don’t demand our immediate attention.

Now is the time to address those areas.

Aside from the very obvious steps we can all take such as decluttering our workspaces, reading/deleting/sorting emails, and closing out cases, there are other steps we can all take to freshen up our businesses and our livelihoods.

1. Take advantage of online courses to sharpen your investigative skills

With so many conferences canceling or moving to a virtual format, now is the best time we’ve probably ever seen for online offerings. If you’re in the same boat as many of us, you also have the time to sharpen your skills via a few online courses.

I provide adoption searches for many of my clients. With the increased numbers of people registering their DNA, I can always learn more and better methods of helping my clients through genealogy courses.

2. Pivot or broaden your niche(s)

If the pandemic has given you pause and you worry your niche(s) might become obsolete or remain at the mercy of another potential shutdown, consider changing niches or adapting your current niche to this new normal.

If you see a new need, fill it. If you can tweak your current niche just a bit to become more relevant, do it.

3. Adapt to changes on the horizon

We must accept these new changes whether we like them or not. Get creative. Find workarounds. You should brainstorm ways you can use your skillsets to better serve your current clients or even other potential clients out there.

Stay a step ahead. Look at what might be coming so it isn’t such a sharp blow next time.

4. Consider taking on cases you would have turned away before

If all you’ve ever offered is surveillance, you don’t have to stay locked into that. If surveillance jobs have slowed down for you, consider offering other services such as background checks. As potential clients call you, hang onto some of those cases you would normally pass on to other private investigators.

5. Get more organized

Organize your business in general. If you are unhappy with your current case management system, find another that suits your business and your personality better. If you’ve never taken the time to create a report template, type one up. Organize your old case files. Create that spreadsheet that will alleviate some headaches down the road.

6. Streamline your processes

One of the best moves I made early on was to streamline my processes. If you haven’t done this yet and your particular workload could benefit, I highly recommend it to you. I created a template for any potential adoptee or birth parent who contacts me regarding an adoption search. This template includes an initial emailed response to an inquiry as well as a packet of information to answer the most frequently asked questions. This template saves me a lot of time instead of reinventing the wheel with every client.

7. Reach out to other private investigators

Especially if you are a solopreneur, this can be a very isolating job. Reach out to other private investigators through conferences, social media, email, phone calls, and any other means you prefer. These past several months, it sure has helped me to regularly touch base with several other private investigators to check in on them and talk about the current slowdown we have all found ourselves in.

8. Rework your ideal client if necessary

If you’ve found that your ideal client is no longer viable as an ideal client, it’s time to recreate that role. Consider all your options. If the pandemic has dried up your current client base, either find a new client base or restructure your role and create ways to still prove useful to your current clients.

9. Find new ways to use your skills

If you’ve been using your skillsets within the same structure for years, maybe it’s time to restructure. Get creative. How can you use your current skillsets to meet new needs?

10. Pursue that other project you’ve always considered but never had time for

We all have tasks on back burners. Many of us have things we’ve always said we’d like to get to “one day”. Perhaps it’s time to change your “one day” to today. If you’re looking for alternatives to supplement your income or you’re just looking to find something that further fulfills your career goals, go for it. The days aren’t getting any longer and you’re not getting any younger.

When you freshen up your business, those around you will notice. Maybe you’ll even become known as the guy or gal who doesn’t crumble under pressure, but thrives.

About the Author

Rachele’ Davis is the owner and operator of New Hope Investigations in Joplin, Missouri. She is a licensed private investigator in Missouri (2016012045) and Kansas (D-5825). Rachele’ began a career in teaching before obtaining her Masters in Criminal Justice and creating a position for herself as Joplin Police Department’s first crime analyst. Her work contributed to a 17% city-wide reduction in overall crime during her seven years as the department’s sole analyst. After she and her husband adopted an infant son in 2015 and hired a private investigator to aid in a custody battle with the birth father, Rachele’ transitioned from crime analyst to private investigator herself. She obtained her private investigator’s licenses and launched New Hope, specializing in adoption searches.

Rachele’ is currently a contributing writer for Pursuit Magazine and publishes a bi-weekly blog. She is a member of the United States Association of Professional Investigators, Missouri State Investigators Association, Kansas Association of Licensed Investigators, Association of Professional Genealogists, National Genealogical Society, International Society of Genetic Genealogy, and American Adoption Congress. Rachele’ can be reached at rdavis@newhopeinvestigations.com.

Join the Discussion

Do you have ways you've freshened up your business? Share your own experience by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

How an Increase in Domestic Violence Cases May Impact Private Investigators

2020-08-31T00:00:00-06:00

Private investigators handle all different kinds of cases, from missing persons to assisting in insurance fraud investigations and everything in between and beyond. Private investigators are often called upon to assist in gathering evidence for domestic violence cases, especially because these cases can be difficult for prosecutors to argue without evidence, which is critical in proving abuse claims. While this is a fairly standard type of case that private investigators encounter, the COVID pandemic has increased both the prevalence of cases and the importance of the work due to the increased severity of the incidents. Let’s take a look at how the pandemic impacted domestic violence cases as well as the ways in which PIs work on domestic violence cases.

Who hires PIs for domestic violence cases?

Private investigators can be hired by anyone to investigate abuse or suspected abuse. They can be hired by individuals involved in an abusive relationship who want to get out of that relationship, especially if children are involved. Private investigators are also hired by loved ones to investigate suspected incidents of elder abuse, child abuse, or intimate partner violence. Law firms also hire private investigators to help compile evidence for legal proceedings.

How PIs work on domestic violence cases

Private investigators work on domestic violence cases by gathering evidence. While the evidence gathered is most commonly for victims, in some instances, an individual accused of domestic violence may hire a PI to help bring forth evidence to clear their name.

Evidence can come in many of the same ways that PIs gather evidence in other types of cases. When hired, PIs can document injuries, record conversations, or even install hidden cameras to surveil the subjects. Conversely, private investigators can look for surveillance measures taken against a victim that could constitute stalking (such as a GPS tracker on a car). The evidence is often turned over to law enforcement or a legal team to reinforce the case.

Increase in domestic violence

With governors issuing shelter-in-place orders, many workplaces going remote, and individuals fearing they may contract the virus, many people have ended up spending more time at home. While spending more time together alone can cause a spike in violence made worse by the unknowns of the virus, changes in employment, loss of wages or unemployment, civil unrest and political division across the United States, and an increase of alcohol use can all escalate domestic violence. Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic has led to an increase in domestic violence cases across the country — with one study published by EClinical Medicine citing a shocking “300% increase in police reports of intimate-partner violence (IPV)[...].”

A scientific study almost isn’t necessary, as news media’s reports across the country tell the same story. The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that they have seen an astounding 86% increase in domestic violence-related death, and they “can clearly contribute this to COVID.” The article goes on to explain that social isolation, increased alcohol consumption and unemployment are contributing factors to the increase.

Comparative reports of domestic violence from last spring to spring 2020 show increases in cities all over the United States and show just how prolific the pandemic’s effect has been. In Utah, one county is experiencing a 75% increase in domestic violence 911 calls. The story is much the same in Billings, Montana and in Boston, Massachusetts. This is not just happening in the United States alone — reports have shown that domestic violence cases are up around the world.

Not only is the volume of incidents rising, but in many cases, the violence is more severe according to a 2020 study published in Radiology. It cited that “Radiological studies showed more central and visceral organ injuries during the 2020 state of emergency, which are suggestive of high-risk abuse,” meaning that the injuries were more serious and less superficial than in years past.

What is also troubling is that, although the number of incidents and the severity of incidents has increased, according to the study, “An overall lower number of intimate partner violence (IPV) victims with a greater number and severity of physical abuse is suggestive of victims reaching out to healthcare services in their later stage of abuse due to fear of COVID-19.” This is echoed in other news reports. Bethesda Magazine also reported that locally, many domestic violence victims do not want to go to the hospital for fear of catching coronavirus even after violent events such as strangulation, as stated in the article by Montgomery County Trauma Services manager Nadja Cabello.

Will PIs see an increase in cases?

What is unknown is whether this uptick in domestic violence cases will result in more work for private investigators. One private investigator out of northwest Arkansas, Michael Hudson, said that although he has not seen any additional work, he is aware of an increase in cases. As to whether or not he is anticipating a rise, he said, “I am not seeing any bump but that effect may be in the future.” While it is unknown whether a trickle-down effect will occur, bringing about more work for investigators, one thing is for sure: the importance of PIs is even more significant than before.

Join the Discussion

Do you have experience investigating domestic violence cases? Share your own thoughts and tips by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Medical Canvassing for Private Investigators

2020-08-20T00:00:00-06:00

Editor's note: This article was written by Scott Fulmer of Intermountain PI. The opinions expressed here belong to Scott Fulmer.

Medical canvassing is a strategy used in the claims handling process to determine if a work injury is legitimate. It is used by defense attorneys, insurance companies, third-party administrators, and self-insureds in workers’ compensation, disability, and automobile accident claims. With medical canvassing, the objective is to discover any undisclosed medical treatment by the claimant. In other words, medical treatment for an injury that may have occurred prior to or outside of a reported work-related injury claim.

What is a medical canvass?

A medical canvass involves a private investigator making telephonic inquiries at medical facilities in a geographic radius surrounding a claimant’s home or place of employment. This may include medical facilities such as hospitals, pharmacies, pain clinics, urgent care facilities, and chiropractic clinics. Inquiries are conducted to discover if the claimant received treatment at any of these offices. By comparing the providers and dates of treatment, a claims adjuster can determine if an injury is legitimate or whether it stems from a pre-existing condition that occurred outside the scope of employment or the accident.

What information can a medical canvass provide?

With a medical canvass, private investigators telephone medical facilities and voluntarily provide a claimant’s identifiers such as their name and date of birth. Medical personnel can then confirm whether the claimant received treatment at their facility, the dates of treatment, and any upcoming appointments. Keep in mind that whether medical personnel provides all or some of this information depends on their interpretation of HIPAA. While some may be willing, others may cite liability related to HIPAA violations. Additionally, pharmacies can provide what prescriptions were filled and by whom to licensed healthcare practitioners or Law Enforcement officers presenting proper credentials and a valid warrant. This can help to determine if the medication is relevant to the workplace injury or accident.

For example, in a medical canvass a private investigator with an accompanying and properly executed HIPAA release form can:

Discover undisclosed treatments.
Determine if treatments occurred before the date of loss.
Learn if treated injuries are the same as the alleged workplace or vehicle accident injury.
See if the claimant has a history of injury claims.
Determine if injuries occurred outside the course of employment.
Find out if the claimant lied about prior medical treatment
Determine if treatment from specific periods are actually pre-existing conditions.

As you can see, a medical canvass is a powerful tool. When it comes to insurance defense claims, plaintiff attorneys often selectively withhold information about past or present injuries or treatments. A medical canvass solves this issue. Furthermore, it may reveal upcoming medical appointments allowing an opportunity for surveillance.

What about HIPAA and privacy?

Of course, this begs the question; what about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? HIPAA is a federal law enacted by Congress in 1996. It provides privacy protection to certain health data called Protected Health Information (PHI). However, in some cases, HIPAA does not apply to certain health information related to employment, such as with workers’ compensation claims. Having said that, some medical facilities will not release information without a HIPAA authorization form signed by the employee. Because the legislative language of HIPAA is very detailed and relatively complex, medical organizations such as pharmacies, hospitals, and outpatient clinics will be more hesitant to surrender information that could even possibly be construed as legislatively restricted.

When conducting a medical canvass, it is important to make a distinction. The investigator is not requesting medical records. Those records are indeed covered by HIPPA. The canvass is to simply confirm whether or not services were provided. That information is not covered by HIPAA. Unfortunately, staff members at medical facilities are not always knowledgeable about what they can and can’t release. Staff members follow management directives and those managers will often positively respond to requests for appointments made in person by a professional investigator presenting proper ID and a written request printed on attorney letterhead. Let me state categorically that I am not an attorney and this article is not meant to be construed as legal advice. Also, keep in mind that, as is the case with many industries impacted by COVID, organizations are overworked and short-staffed. Healthcare is no different. An investigator making a cold call trying to get this kind of information might be referred to the voicemail of someone at the managerial level. But more likely, such a request would result in a directive to put it in writing and send it to the right person.

Finally, claims adjusters juggle numerous files and operate under strict deadlines. Medical canvassing results must be done quickly. If done correctly, they are one more tool to lower liability and prevent insurance fraud.

About the Author

Notable private investigator Scott Fulmer is the principal and lead investigator at Intermountain PI, the premiere private investigation firm throughout the Intermountain West. Scott is a 30-year veteran private investigator, host of the Intermountain PI Podcast and author of the critically acclaimed true crime memoir, Confessions of a Private Eye. It’s available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Find him on the web at www.intermountainpi.com

Join the Discussion

Do you have experience conducting a medical canvass? Share your thoughts by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

On-Scene Photography for a Traffic Accident

2020-08-04T00:00:00-06:00

Editor's note: This article was written by Michael Miranda of Mj Traffic Accident Reconstruction. The opinions expressed here belong to Michael Miranda.

A picture is worth a thousand words. This is especially true in a traffic accident investigation. Photographing the scene of a traffic accident is probably the second most requested task that a private investigator will receive from a client. An important part of accident investigation is recording information so that it can be used later. Photography is an indispensable means of achieving this.

Photographs are useful in two ways: to create a permanent, accurate, and unbiased record of something specifically observed by an investigator and to capture the detailed appearance of something such as a mark on the road or damage to a vehicle. Photographs may later reveal significant details that were not observed at the time the picture was taken.

Photography Tips

Tell a Story

Once you obtain the police photographs, if any, the question is what should I photograph? Remember, your photographs need to tell a story. We are a highly visual society and people have a difficult time comprehending complex actions and ideas without something visual to help them understand. This is especially true with juries. Think of what the story is and how you would explain it to a jury using only the picture you took.

Set the Scene

If you know, either by measurements or police photographs, the final position of the vehicles or bodies, photograph their positions at final rest. On scene, take photographs of the approach path of each vehicle to include sightlines and any obstructions, temporary or permanent. Include recognizable landmarks that help identify the location of the accident. Include wide shots that help orient close-up shots. Use a ruler or other object of known size to orient the evidence by size. Attempt to locate the point-of-impact (POI) and photograph its location and the views to and from that point. Utilizing an overhead view or map can assist with locating important positions.

Talk to Witnesses

Try to establish the driver and witness points-of-view and what they saw or could have seen based on visibility allowed by the surrounding area. Take photographs from the vantage points of witnesses. Having the witness mark their location on a map will assist with establishing their point-of-view.

Focus on the Vehicle

If you are photographing the vehicles at a tow yard, use a minimum of the four-corner approach in which you capture all sides of the vehicle for a complete exterior view. If you can gain access to all sides of the vehicle and the interior, take additional shots. Work systematically, moving circularly around the vehicle. Photograph the front, the back, and especially the license plate. Don’t overlook the VIN plate or NADAR sticker to identify the vehicle. Take interior shots if you can especially if you are trying to show the damage and how it relates to the occupants. Watch for sharp edges when completing interior shots.

Photography Equipment

What kind of camera should you use? This depends on how you plan to use it. The more technical the work, the more high-end your camera should be. Digital cameras of at least ten megapixels are best. A quality digital camera can be purchased for as little as $50, and you can take as many pictures as you need without worrying about printing costs. Digital cameras also provide instant viewing either through the screen or by downloading photographs to a laptop. There is nothing worse than taking a huge number of photographs and then finding out you have no film in the camera or the pictures are out of focus. You can also take hundreds, if not thousands, of photographs on a single eight gigabyte SD card.

Your camera should have an autofocus function as well as a manual focus. Auto-focus is good for that quick shot you need to quickly take before a truck runs you over. Manual focus helps you get the close-up shot without the auto-focus locking in on something in the background. Most digital cameras have a zoom feature. Zoom is good for focusing on small items such as tears, hair, blood spatter, and so on. A macro feature is also good for focusing on these small items.

Automatic focusing is not ideal when taking nighttime photographs. A good flash, either external or part of the camera, is also useful to have but watch for washout caused by the flash hitting a reflective surface. Flash is also good for highlighting detail in a shot. Nighttime photography is difficult, at best. A high-quality camera with a high-quality external flash is best for nighttime shots. With an external flash and a sturdy tripod, an investigator can “paint the scene” with the flash. Watch for reflective surfaces or bright lights and objects in the background. Autofocus will try to focus on these and your main object will be blurry.

Point-and-shoot cameras with autofocus are good for most photographs you take on a scene. But learn the basics of manual operation of your camera. Knowing how to manually access the settings on your camera will provide quality photographs of the scene that can be used in your case. Learn the “exposure triangle” and how the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed affect one another.

Training

I highly recommend taking a photography class. There are a number of classes, both in-person or online, that are readily available and most are very inexpensive or free. Professional instruction will help with the proper methods for taking quality evidentiary shots. A quality camera and tripod are a necessity so know how to use your camera before you go to the scene. Many investigators arrive on a scene and try to learn how to use their camera while there. Make sure your camera battery is charged and have a spare battery. Choose a camera without internal memory. Instead, use quality SD cards and have a backup to your backup when the pictures are downloaded. Caution should be exercised if you use a cell phone as it can be taken as evidence, and that includes everything on it.

Video

If you are using a video camera as part of the scene photography, be aware of the audio portion. Watch what is said by either you or your assistants. Make sure people are not in the shot unless it is necessary and avoid horseplay as it may be seen by a jury.

Conclusion

If you have any doubt if something should be photographed, take the picture. As with measurements, it is better to have too many and not need them than to have too few and regret not having them. Practice, practice, and practice. Try taking pictures of different objects at different angles or distances. Use the manual settings to discover how they will improve your picture taking. Use different light sources and from different angles. Imagine what you will need to photograph at a traffic accident scene and practice taking those kinds of pictures before you need to do so for a client.

About the Author

Michael Miranda is a retired Trooper serving over 28 years in the Colorado State Patrol and attained ACTAR accreditation in 2000. After retirement, he was a Criminal Investigator for the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office and was assigned as the Lead Investigator for the Vehicular Homicide Response Team. Michael is a Colorado Licensed Private Investigator.

Join the Discussion

Do you have experience taking on-scene accident photos? Share your thoughts by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.

Colorado Governor Vetoes Bill to Extend Private Investigator Licensure Requirements

2020-07-23T00:00:00-06:00

Most states in the US require that private investigators maintain professional licensure. In fact, as of this publication, only a handful of states currently do not require state private investigator licensure. Private investigation is a profession that involves conducting surveillance, collecting data, and assisting with legal cases, among many other activities that some might consider personally invasive or even illegal if done by the average person. By legally defining the work that private investigators do and having requirements in order to conduct this type of business, states have legitimized the profession and prevented bad actors from infiltrating the industry. Colorado is one of the states in the US that has included such professional requirements.

Overwhelmingly, state licensure has helped promote ethical standards and elevate the profession as a whole. By and large, most PIs see licensure in that manner from the comments we gathered for this article. While Colorado has previously been one of the states with a mandatory professional licensing component in its legislature, the Act requiring licensure is set to be repealed as of September 1, 2020 as a result of a sunset clause and a blocked attempt to extend the Act. This means that as of that date, Colorado PIs will not be required to be licensed and the industry will be wholly unregulated.

A Briefing on Colorado’s PI Legislative History

Colorado has a long history with legislation regarding investigations. In fact, reference to investigations can be found in the 1877 Legislative Manual of the State of Colorado (made publicly available by Project Gutenberg), which states, “When an investigation is required into any matter, the person most interested in having the inquiry made, should move the appointment of a committee to take the subject in charge. This is done by resolution. The resolution should be so drawn as to state the precise subject to be investigated, and to give the committee all the power which the mover may deem necessary to a thorough examination into the subject matter to be laid before them; this should be done to prevent any misapprehension as to the intention and extent of the inquiry to be made.”

That legislation lasted for 100 years until the Supreme Court determined that there wasn’t a clear definition of a private investigator in 1977. There was no PI legislation until 2011, when Colorado passed the Private Investigators Licensure Act that defined private investigators and outlined voluntary licensure, which went into effect in 2012. Then in 2015, a mandatory licensing law went into effect, but it was done so with a sunset clause to review and end the mandatory licensure in 2020. The Act remained largely the same until 2019 when some of the language was cleaned up, the built-in sunset clause was reviewed, and the clause was recommended to remain included in the Act. Upon the sunset date of September 1, 2020, the Act would be entirely repealed and the private investigations industry would become completely unregulated.

Attempt to Extend Licensure Requirements Blocked

The Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC), which worked to help institute the 2015 Act, has been following this legislation and works with legislators to enact measures that positively affect the industry. Robert Orozco, PPIAC’s Vice President of Legislative Affairs explained, “We helped bring forth the PI licensing program due to documented harms prior to 2015. In short, the program's goal was to reduce consumer and public harm, and to provide protections to consumers and the public. Having experienced first hand what the environment was prior to 2015, we are very certain there will be a return of consumer and public harms.” He continued, “The program by and large has been very successful in reducing harms, and in its stability as a self-funded program.”

A new bill was proposed to extend and continue the mandatory licensing program until September 1, 2025. It was approved by both the House and Senate in legislation; however, on July 11, 2020, Colorado Governor Jarod Polis vetoed the bill in a move that swiftly undid all of the work that the PPIAC and others have worked on for the last five years. Unless new legislation is proposed and passed (and not vetoed) before the sunset date, things will be changing in the PI industry in Colorado.

Upon hearing the news of the blocked extension, Orozco commented, “Despite its successes, DORA shockingly recommended the program sunset due to a lack of harms. They pointed out a total of 77 complaints in the less than 4 years the program was in effect at the time of the sunset study, and despite their own data clearly showing an increase in the amount of complaints every year. They also left the nature of the complaints vague, only providing broad generalities of their nature in the sunset report. From our perspective, the changes, problems and consequences of going from a licensed to a non-licensed environment are certainly numerous and overwhelmingly negative.”

Sunset Clause Looming: PI Community Reacts, “No upside”

With many groups and private investigators being proponents of state licensure, the news that this Act could be repealed was of great importance to investigators not just in Colorado but from around the country. Most expressed a sense of concern over the possibility of unlicensed PIs negatively impacting the industry as a whole while praising the benefits of licensure.

Private Investigator JC Ecklund, who previously worked as a PI in Missouri but who will be operating out of Florida after completing their state licensure requirements, expressed concern over removing licensure requirements: “Without Licensure, you are limited with access to professional databases, insurance, training, and or education. Having a license does show a level of credibility to the profession as well as having a voice in legislation. Without licensure, our profession could be tarnished, severely controlled, or even outlawed.”

North Carolina PI Joel Johnson echoed Ecklund’s comments: “I believe licensing is overwhelmingly positive for the industry. Without it, anyone can hang a shingle and call themselves a private investigator. Without some sort of oversight, the industry would rapidly become contaminated with unsavory individuals.”

The comments remained fairly consistent, no matter which state the commenter hailed from, with nearly all pointing to the negative implications that not having licensure could bring. Without licensure, there would be no background checks, no insurance requirements, no professional development or training, no standards, no ethical standards, and more. Anyone could become a private investigator and do the work of one without any oversight.

William Edward Hampton provided strong words about the potential deregulation: “It's the biggest mistake that Colorado has made. Without any type of licensing in that state, a lot of riff raff is going to claim that they are private investigators.”

Valerie Good McGilvrey offered that, “Without licensure, there is no mandatory annual continuing education which places the general public at risk for malfunctions with evidence and even a basic understanding for state law as it pertains to the specific type of investigation conducted.”

Expressing not only the preventative measures that licensure brings forth, PI Greg Glassock also noted that licensure elevates the profession: “Licensing, insurance, certification, and continuing education requirements are an attempt to set a level of professionalism and knowledge which ultimately protects the client and the public from damage. I see no upside to a lack of licensing. A totally open market is a welcome mat to shady characters. We operate in WA and OR, both states have licensing requirements.”

Impact to Industry as a Whole

As many of the private investigators expressed, the industry is filled with individuals that want regulation. The licensure fees were not so exorbitant that they served as a deterrent and, as a result, the regulation had a positive impact on the industry. Not having these requirements could be detrimental to not just private investigators in Colorado, but the reputation of the profession as a whole.

Worst-case, nightmare scenarios that could soon become very real in Colorado were brought up by Robert Orozco. He explained, “In worst case scenarios, consumers can unwittingly hire PIs who have criminal records.[...] For legal cases, the stakes are especially high. They might hire a PI for legal work only to find out the PI’s work product and/or testimony is not credible or not allowed.” While these negative effects might seem superficially minor, they are just the surface of what is problematic about a lack of industry standards and licensure requirements.

He also brought up what has become a growing concern across the United States: data breaches and identity theft. Orozco continued, “Consumers who entrust the PI with sensitive, delicate, and proprietary information may find that the PI has not kept the information confidential and may even use the information for blackmail, collusion, and other nefarious purposes.”

Impact to Coloradans

Not only does the repeal of the Private Investigators Licensing Act potentially harm private investigators in Colorado and in the PI industry at large, it has a serious potential to harm individuals in Colorado and not just from a subpar work standard perspective.

Orozco brought forth chilling scenarios in which individuals’ safety could be at stake: “Pedophiles can interview minors. Stalkers can conduct surveillance. Nefarious individuals can blur privacy lines by improperly using GPS tracking devices, placing tracking/keystroke software on electronic devices, and place covert audio/video recording devices in private spaces. With no standards of practice, PIs can be sex decoys. They can resort to strong arm or intimidation tactics.”

Furthermore, third-party stalking legislation would also be gone as a result of the repeal of this Act. Orozco explained, “The third-party stalking was addressed in DORA's Rules. One of our allies, Violence Free Colorado, was instrumental in having language placed in DORA's rules which disallowed PIs from providing location information on protected parties. The entirety of DORA's Rules is gone with the bill's veto.”

Impact to Colorado PIs

Beyond the obvious impact of having no licensure requirements, Colorado private investigators may see other changes in the wake of the sunset clause if nothing is done to prevent the repeal. While Colorado PIs are currently required to be insured and bonded, this will soon no longer be a requirement. Those who choose to maintain their insurance may see rates rise.

Colorado PIs may even have trouble accessing databases and may put themselves in jeopardy of being arrested while working a case if they are caught surveilling a subject.

While overwhelmingly, private investigators have been in support of professional regulation and licensure, there are some who will find the lack of regulation nothing short of a blip on the radar. Some have expressed that they’ll be able to secure extra help for difficult cases without requiring the extra help to jump through the licensure hoops. Others said they wouldn’t have to deal with licensing.

Keep an Eye on Legislation

No matter where you personally stand on the issue, the repeal of this act will have a significant impact, not just on PIs in Colorado, but on the profession as a whole and ordinary Colorado residents. Industry regulations, requirements, and changes are proposed through legislation, so it’s important to stay on top of it. Because legislative news can change quickly, stay apprised whether that is by looking it up yourself, being a member of your state’s private investigator association, or staying up to speed with industry organizations like PInow.

Join the Discussion

Do you think licensing should be required for private investigators? Share your thoughts by joining our groups on LinkedIn and Facebook or contact us.