Investigative Group

Be careful of databases...

Some of our clients have subscribed to widely published Internet databases and search sites offering to locate someone for a very minimal flat rate.  Although I would not say that this is always a bad idea, you might want to be careful about using the information and results that are returned.  Some of these databases just pool information and offer very little in the way of filtering or verification.  You are left with the raw data.  If you have a common spelling on an individual's name, there is a likelihood that you will get results at absolutely nothing to do with the person you're looking for. Most private investigators are able to take this raw data and go one step further with either other databases or other sources and verify the information.  This is the reason that private investigators don't always charge a flat rate of $39.95 to locate someone. Nowadays, anyone with a credit card can access some of these sites.  Be careful about relying on the information provided without doing some sort of additional verification.

 

A good private investigator will utilize multiple sources to verify information.  When they present something to a client, it will be presented in a context that conveys how confident the private investigator is with the veracity of the information. The bottom line is, if I'm not 100% certain of the information I just tell my client that I believe that it may be correct, but could use some additional verification.

 

There is really no magic formula that a good private investigator uses to access information. Most often, it is because the investigator has established contacts or resources that have come through years of work in the field. What may take another, untrained, person several hours to find may take a private investigator a half-hour.

Technology

Technology sure has paved the way for making private investigations better and results more likely.  I began doing private investigative work before anyone had e-mail addresses, websites or access to the Internet.  I am old school.

Many years ago I was taught the basics and have learned the value of "pounding the pavement" to get investigative results.  It's easy to forget nowadays how important some of these basic fundamentals are when handling a case. The advancements in technology have allowed investigators to shortcut some of the steps and get results more quickly. As much as I like being able to access the Internet, e-mail and trackers from my laptop and I-phone, I never underestimate the value of old-fashioned footwork and records research.  Investigators who get caught up with technology, sometimes forget that the basic steps and methodology that we'd used for many years before the Internet worked very effectively. Government records are no longer filed manually or on microfiche but are now stored digitally and accessible with just a few keystrokes.

In 1989, I had both a brick cell phone and a bag cell phone with limited reception and at a very hefty price. No caller ID, no text messaging...nada. I could run over the phone with my car and pick it up and it would still work.  Today I use an I-phone and have full Internet access and can monitor real-time GPS tracking from anywhere.  You do not want to drop your I-phone.  Go figure.

Welcome

Thanks for taking a moment to read our new blog.  Our plan is to add information periodically that will benefit potential clients, existing clients and industry associates. There are a number of factors that one should consider when choosing a private investigator. Most investigative agencies handle a number of different types of cases and you can likely find several different options for handling yours. You want to look for agencies that have experience in doing the type of work that you need.  You want to make sure that after you contact that agency they offer you some suggestions and different options for handling your case.  Just because you provide them with information does not mean that you have to ultimately use them.  Most agencies will offer some sort of consultation for free. You’ll want to find an agency that you feel comfortable with.

Make sure the agency is licensed. 

Utah has specific statutes for licensing requirements and this helps guarantee that you're going to get a legitimate company handling your work.  If not stated, confidentiality is certainly implied. Whatever information you provide to the agency they are required to maintain in confidence and discuss the details only with their employees working on the case or with you (the client).  You may direct them to provide information to a third party such as your attorney or a business partner.

Check back for more suggestions and some interesting stories on past assignments. Steve