The role of a Private Investigator

It has long been the image of a Private Investigator or PI as being a sly and shifty character hiding in doorways with a camera trying to spy on someones partner. To an extent this has some resemblance to the image portrayed in older films starring actors like Humphrey Bogart, but in reality the present day private Eye is very different. Whilst it is true that a common use for a Private Investigator is for matrimonial or relationship reasons, there are many other areas where a Private Investigator or Detective can provide much needed evidence or information.

Asset tracing

Statistics indicate that nearly 50% of divorce cases use a Private Investigator and a large proportion of this is asset tracing. It is common for one partner (usually the man or major wage earner) to place or hide money in onshore or offshore accounts. These accounts are often set up by an accountant or adviser and can provide a secure and secret solution.

Criminal defence

Large numbers of people are convicted and imprisoned each year due to poor legal representation or insufficient evidence to provide support for the defence. During the original investigation, the Police are likely to be concentrating on obtaining a conviction for the prosecution. Private Investigators however are able to provide a reliable and effective source of criminal defence investigation and an opportunity to balance the scales.

Forensic evidence

There are many crimes that are committed that are either too small for the Police to take seriously, or are considered too costly and uncertain for them to investigate. Private Investigators are able to arrange laboratory forensic investigations on computers and phones, and also carry out fingerprint analysis and comparison.

Tracing

Tracing is probably one of the most common pastimes of a Private Investigator. It may be that a client needs a family member traced, or that a finance company needs a debtor or absconder traced. In addition to this, the Private Investigator may regularly need to trace people as part of another investigation such as a witness or even a beneficiary to a will.

Bug Sweeping

In recent years, it has become common place for Investigators to be called upon to ensure the security of a home or office by sweeping for bugs. Bugs can be purchased quite cheaply and are readily available in many high streets and on the internet. The Detective may need to sweep a room for bugs as part of ensuring security for another investigation, or as in many cases as part of a regular counter surveillance sweep for a corporation.