The following was written by Jeff Kimble, P.I., owner of Arizona Legal Document Services, L.L.C. http://www.arizonalegaldocs.com/ and Arizona Private Investigations http://www.azprivateeye.com/. It is intended to provide general information regarding the business of private investigations and should not be considered legal advice.
The public perception of the private investigator is varied, both from the frequently exaggerated and inaccurate portrayals of "private eyes" in film and television and also from the simple fact that, compared to other occupations, a relatively small percentage of citizens require the services of a private investigator in the first place.
A simple yet precise definition of a private investigator is one who is employed to collect evidence or information. Once the drama, the mystique, and the ridiculous (just watch one episode of Magnum P.I. to get the wrong idea of the investigation business) are stripped from the Hollywood versions of the job description, a private investigator is essentially a gatherer of information. He or she—if ethical, professional, and experienced—knows how to retrieve this information legally, whether through research, observation, or technical means and then provides this information to his or her client for a fee.
Private investigators are hired by individuals, families, small businesses, large corporations, and even by government entities. Cases range from industrial espionage to lost pets, from criminal investigations to pre-employment screenings and the types of P.I.'s and their specialties are as diverse as are the clients who hire them and the varied cases in which they are involved.
The first step toward determining whether a private investigator can help you is by clearly defining your reasons for hiring one in the first place. What do you want? Are you simply trying to discover the truth in a personal matter? Or are you planning to use evidence obtained from an investigation in court? Or both? These kinds of questions are important to ask yourself before you begin your search for a reputable investigator as they may affect the outcome of your case as well as its cost.
If you are considering litigation (going to court) you may want to hire an attorney before hiring a private investigator. The attorney should advise you as to whether your case requires the services of an investigator to be successful. There is no sense in making a financial investment in information that may ultimately not be useful or admissable in court.
If you are purely interested in "the truth" regarding a personal or business matter, then calling a P.I. directly may be your best option. A private investigator can be your confidential resource for what you cannot (or do not want to) ascertain on your own. He or she can be "your eyes" into matters the police may not be able to help you with and can effectively be your agent or representative in matters familial, civil, and/or private in nature.
Always keep in mind that different investigative agencies offer different services and those services can vary greatly in cost and scope. A large agency with hundreds of operatives may not be economically appropriate to help you find a long lost relative but may be perfect to handle a complicated case of corporate fraud. A small agency may be ideal to help you determine if your spouse is unfaithful but may be the completely wrong choice for the countersurveillance needs of a Fortune 500 Company. Investigate your investigator first. Research online, contact the Better Business Bureau, read client testimonials and thoroughly review the agency's licensing and qualifications. (See: Things You Should Know before Hiring a Private Eye in the May 2010 archive of this blog.)
Once you feel satisfied with your choice, meet the investigator(s) in person. How do you feel about him, her, or them? Do they handle themselves professionally? Do they appear trustworthy? What is your "gut reaction?" Do you feel comfortable with them in general? These are valid questions and often the best test when making the final determination. You could very well end up having a long and intimate business relationship with this person or persons and they may see your significant other, family, friends, business associates, and acquaintances at their best or worst. If you don't feel completely comfortable trusting him or her with your personal and/or business information, look elsewhere.
Once you have determined that you require the services of a private investigator and have made your choice from the many agencies available in your area, what are some of the specific services private investigators have to offer?
Our company, Arizona Private Investigations, a subdivision of Arizona Legal Document Services, L.L.C., offers the following:
Child Custody and Infidelity Investigations
Missing Persons /Skip Traces
Surveillance (physical, photographic, and GPS tracking)
Location and Recovery of Property (including replevins)
Threat Investigations
Criminal Investigations
Hiring a private investigator can be one of the most valuable and life changing choices you ever make. To further appreciate what a private investigator can do for you, contact Jeff Kimble at 480-318-9936, or visit the Arizona Private Investigations website at:
http://www.azprivateeye.com/
"The Truth will set you free..."
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
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