When you hear the words “private investigations,” what do you think of? You might think of movies and TV where you see private investigators hunt down cheating spouses or long-lost family members.
However, private investigations are much more than that. You can hire an investigator for a variety of circumstances.
Keep reading to learn the details of private investigations.
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What Are Private Investigations?
Private investigations are completed by private investigators. These professionals use observation skills, a keen eye, and an analytical mind to find what their clients are looking for.
There are various surveillance and investigative techniques used in a private investigation. Investigators are licensed in their state where they work to gather accurate information on a subject or situation.
Investigations might be straightforward or complicated and high stake. To get a better idea of what private investigators are, it’s important to know the different investigation types.
Here are five types to keep in mind:
1. Background Investigation
The most common specialty for private investigators is a background investigation.
This investigation involves more thorough research than what you would find on the web about someone. An investigator will look into a person’s history to find out what they could be hiding.
These investigations often involve using private and public records to look up the following:
- Criminal records
- Social media
- Workplace and business records
- Address history
A personal investigator will use these components to find what you are looking for.
2. Family Law Investigation
Legal professionals might hire private investigators to help them uncover facts for a case. Family law investigations typically concern custody battles and divorce settlements.
Detective agencies can work with legal officials to find evidence to support a spouse who wants custody.
3. Fraud Investigation
A fraud investigation uncovers if someone is committing fraud. In these cases, private investigators are hired by insurance companies.
For example, someone might claim to be injured to get an insurance payout.
A private investigator will complete surveillance on that person to determine if they are telling the truth or not.
4. Infidelity Investigation
A private detective service might be hired for an infidelity investigation. Although these investigations happen all of the time, cheating itself is not common.
In fact, less than 25% of men and 15% of women admit to cheating on their spouse.
These types of investigations are so common that there are specialty investigators who only complete infidelity investigations.
An individual hires private detective services when they suspect their partner or spouse is cheating.
Private investigators use surveillance tactics such as:
- Following the person around
- Searching social media activity
- Using software tools
You’ll want the best rated private investigator for this type of investigation.
5. Forensic Investigation
If there is a crime, a forensic investigation takes place to gather evidence. These are more scientific than other types of investigations.
Law enforcement agents handle these for the most part but investigators might help alongside them.
Do You Need a Private Investigator?
Now that you know what private investigations are, you can decide if you need these services.
Although background investigations are typical, family law, fraud, and infidelity are common as well. If you are going through any of these situations, it’s best to hire a professional.
For more informative articles like this, check out the other posts on our website.
