Private investigator work is a far cry from what you watch and read about in fiction. If you’ve ever considered hiring one, you may have found yourself wondering: what can a private investigator do and not do? Can he or she help me with this specific problem? Read on to learn a little more about the services private investigators offer and how they may be able to help you.

Services Offered by Private Investigators

Frequently, private investigators are hired to gather more information about a possible business transaction. These are a few of the ways P.I.s help businesspeople do their due diligence:

  • Background Checks: Thinking about hiring someone or working with a new partner? A background check can help you verify any claims and check for any important additional information.
  • Investment Verification: If you have an investment opportunity that you want to verify the legitimacy of, a private investigator can help. This can be a valuable tool to double-check the veracity of any claims being made about the opportunity.
  • Worker’s Compensation Claims: If you have any suspicions about a worker’s compensation claim, a private investigator can help you gather information. False claims happen and a P.I. can help you uncover them.

Private investigators also help with personal issues such as confirming suspicions about an unfaithful significant other. Some people hire private investigators to help with security consultations. Since P.I.s have a lot of on-the-ground experience with legal and safety matters, they can help you better plan your home or business’ security.

In some cases, private investigators help the police in criminal matters. They can also search for missing persons. Legal teams sometimes hire private investigators to help them with uncovering important information for their cases.

Private Investigators and the Law

Private investigators work within the confines of the law. Despite the sometimes-uncouth behavior of fictional P.I.s, real ones will only do what they are legally allowed to do. So, that raises the question: what can a private investigator do legally?

Some of the specifics of what a private investigator can do legally depend on the state. However, no matter where you are, they can perform surveillance in public spaces, use public records to perform background checks and talk to people. If they are involved in a criminal matter, they can interview witnesses and may have access to law enforcement resources.

A private investigator will only access private property that he or she has permission to access. For example, if you want someone to check your home or business to check for surveillance equipment, a P.I. can do that. Conversely, if you want someone to break into someone else’s home or business to conduct surveillance, a private investigator cannot legally do that.

When a Private Investigator Can Help

When you need more information, a private investigator is a good option. Working within the confines of the law, investigators can help unearth the answers to your concerns. While it may seem that you can go a lot of what a P.I. can legally do, their ability to find information and piece it together is an immensely valuable asset.

Sometimes this is a critical ability that can dramatically change lives. For example, if you are looking for a missing person, a private investigator can make a huge difference. Other times, you simply need an experienced eye to double-check things for you. In either case, it is helpful and reassuring to have a professional in your corner.

While private investigators may work on similar issues and even collaborate with law enforcement, they do not have the same authority. They will not break the law. Nonetheless, if you need help with gathering information, background checks, finding out if a partner is cheating or other similar issues, private investigators can be a valuable resource.

Find a Private Investigator

Beau Dietl & Associates is a leading private investigation firm in New York with offices across the globe. Additionally, we have affiliates throughout the country and across the globe, giving us an extensive reach.

If you need help with private investigations, you can trust Beau Dietl and our over 30 years of experience. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with all your investigative needs.