Private Investigator Forum

Hiring a Private Investigator

LP Dynamics, Inc. is often asked the question of what do Private Investigators do and how can they assist me in an investigation or situation where one may be needed. We complied a short overview of what a Private Investigator does and what is the Private Investigators role.

What Do Private Investigators Do?

A private investigator (PI) investigates things that you can’t or may not have access to based on experience and education. Many private investigators work for attorneys, for insurance agencies, or for individuals looking for information. Private investigators should be professionals, licensed with adequate oversight, insured and bonded, and with appropriate experience for the job they contract to do.

What Qualifications should a Private Investigator have?

Any private investigator you consider must be licensed. Often, private investigators are retired police officers, military police officers, or other officers of the law. They should be prepared to keep detailed notes, and have experience testifying in court as to their observations. He or she should be prepared to work any hours necessary to settle your case. Many Private Investigators do specialize in a specific area, such as surveillance, doing extensive background checks, or tracking down missing persons.

What Questions Should I Ask?

You should always ensure that your licensed private investigator is going to give you what you have been promised. And because they work by the hour, you should be certain they’ll get the job done as quickly as possible. Here is a suggested list of questions to ask:

1. What experience do you have with cases like mine?

2. How long have you been a Private Investigator? How did you become a Private Investigator?

3. Are you licensed in all the states you’ll be working in?

4. What credentials did you need to have to get your Private Investigator license?

5. Are you insured and bonded?

6. Are you the investigator I’ll be working with? If not, what are the credentials of the investigator who’ll be working on my case?

7. How do you guarantee my confidentiality?

8. How much will this case probably cost me? You should expect to pay a retainer up front and be refundable for any unused hours if the case takes less time than anticipated. Expenses should be specified as billable or not. Hourly rates vary from private investigator to private investigator. Count on a retainer of about four to ten hours of surveillance or other work.

What Should I Tell MY Private Investigator?

In short, everything. The more facts your private investigator has on your case, the easier it will be for him or her to determine the truth in your case. Who, what, when, where, why, and how are crucial; even things you think may be unimportant should be mentioned. If your investigator doesn’t ask questions trying to get all this information from you, perhaps you should think twice about hiring him. Your investigator should also give you ways that he or she intends to go about resolving your case and discuss the pros and cons of each method, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. A good investigator should also ask if you’re represented by counsel in this case, and if your attorney is aware you’re considering hiring a private investigator. If you have an attorney, your private investigator’s report should go to him and not to you to maintain what’s called “work product privilege.” And your attorney and your private investigator should be aware of one another at the very least.

What Else Should I Know?

Ask who, specifically, will be handling your case. The person you’re talking to is not always the lead investigator, or you may have a case they consider routine and that will be handed over to a junior member of the investigational firm. That isn’t necessarily bad; but you need to know who you’ll be working with and what their background is. Be certain you set a deadline, and let the investigator know how and how often you want them to communicate with you. Get an idea of costs up front, not after the fact. The investigator, if he or she has handled similar cases before, should be able to give you a good idea of how much it’s going to cost you. Get your budget in writing, and instruct the investigator that they are not to exceed it without getting permission from you in writing first. Never pay an invoice until you have a written report describing the work performed, especially where billable expenses are concerned. Don’t be impressed by gadgets; generally, good old fashioned patience and knowing what to look for are more valuable than any number of surveillance vans. And don’t let an agency sell you on two investigators when you think one will probably be able to do the job. Only hire an investigator who, after your interview process, you feel comfortable with. Your instincts are usually correct, and if you feel the slightest bit uneasy about an investigator, you should trust that feeling and go with someone else.

LP Dynamics, Inc. serves all of Texas and is licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Board.  We are centrally located with offices in Dallas Texas and provide free consultations to all of our clients.  We have over 25 years of experience in investigations.  Call today to schedule a free consultation at our corporate offices or we can meet you.  Our rates are very affordable and we can work with any budget to get the job done.  We can be reached at toll free – 800-991-3286.