Private detective firms offer an extensive range of services and resources to their clients. It includes accident reconstruction, background checks, finding missing witnesses and persons, security services, and surveillance work.
Your choice of private detective can have a massive impact on the investigation’s success. For instance, if the investigation is done for a criminal or lawsuit case, an excellent, experienced private investigator can significantly alter the outcome of the investigation.
With that said, what should you look for in a detective agency or investigator? Who’s going to be worth your time, effort, and money? Who will help you obtain the results you need? For a little help, here’s how to choose a detective agency.
Look For Licensed Investigators
Even though private detectives might offer many services, most private investigators will become expert in particular areas of investigation. In fact, some private detectives are equipped with formal training.
On the other hand, some investigators are equipped with work experiences that impart to the success of particular areas of investigation. Say, for instance, they served as an insurance investigator, arson investigator, or police officer.
The more experience and training a private detective bears that’s affiliated to their work or profession. The more likely the investigator will conduct those investigative services competently and adequately.
A fully-equipped private detective will less likely to make mistakes that can ruin a client’s case. Take, for example, getting cases that trigger a conflict of interest or breaching the confidentiality of the client.
A well-trained investigator within a particular area of investigation can leverage resources or knowledge that might not be familiar to an inefficient detective.
Work Product Doctrine
If you work in a law firm and you need help from a private detective, then make sure that the Private Investigator truly knows how work product doctrine enacts to the work and findings of the investigator, including the nature of the confidential relationship.
Don’t just presume that a private detective who formerly worked for a government agency or prosecutor’s office, or was a former police officer entirely knows work product doctrine. Say, for instance. You might get surprised or shocked at how relaxed a former law enforcement officer will talk about the details of a case.
Not internalizing the duty and responsibility of confidentiality to someone they first thought a criminal defendant or suspect. If you expect or think likely that your private detective will give evidence as a witness in a law court, ensure you completely understand the background of the investigator.
Additionally, it’s essential to know how it could influence the detective’s credibility in court. For sure, you do not want to learn about dubious performance on previous cases or ethical issues when your detective takes the stand in court or gives a testimony.
Expertise
Before agreeing to pay the investigator, you must know their competence first and think of how it connects with your investigative needs. To do so, you can interview the potential private detective. It is just like a job interview.
For instance, if you’re getting a detective to work on a case relating to crime, in the interview, you must find out if the expertise of the investigator belongs in the domestic relations. Moreover, think about how consistent is the detective’s experience with your needs.
Maybe that particular detective is great at surveillance. However, his or her experience isn’t helpful or valuable in conducting witness interviews, crime scene investigation, and examining forensic evidence.
A private detective could provide you with references. If you are getting an investigator to offer executive protection services or business security consultation, they could likely give you a reference.
For cases that cover greater confidentiality or discretion, it might be hard to obtain references as even knowing a previous client might reveal or hint confidential info. If a detective has worked for law firms before, then he or she could refer you to a lawyer without breaching client confidentiality.
Before signing a contract, you must know how the firm or investigator will offer services to you. Will different people manage it? Or another well-trained person?
Fees
The fees that a private detective will charge and any additional costs will significantly impact the nature of the work wherein the detective is hired. Take note that some investigative services might be done on a flat fee basis, including basic background checks. However, a more thorough or more in-depth investigation will cost more.
Moreover, the cost might impact the extent and nature of the detective’s experience, how fast the investigation should be finished, and the quality of the operations.
Takeaway
If ever you need help from a private investigator, don’t just randomly choose one. You must select a highly credible and qualified private detective to work on your case.
