When deciding to hire an investigator or begin a surveillance, there are several key factors to consider. I
would like to talk a little bit about the "pros & cons" of hiring an investigator and performing surveillance. In
doing so, I hope you will be better informed as to how most investigators operate and about basic
surveillance. I also hope to inform you about some of the possible misconceptions and pitfalls of surveillance.
Knowing this information makes your job and ours a little bit easier. You, (the client), are already aware of the
vast positive benefits of hiring an investigator in cases where the truth needs to be exposed. I could talk here
for hours about the hundreds of successful cases that have been performed over the years, either saving a
client millions of dollars or locating a lost family member. Most people however do not know what they should
expect from a good reputable investigator and what we, the investigators need from you, the client to do our
jobs well.
The first thing you should expect from any reputable investigations company is good communication between
you and the investigator. I'm not only referring to when we initially obtain the needed case information from
the client. The lines of communication need to extend far beyond that and need to be available to you and
the investigator whenever necessary, (or at least the following day). Have you ever tried to contact the
investigator or attorney you hired and have to leave several voice mails which are never returned?
Frustrating isn't it? By good communication I am also referring to you, (the client), trying to give as much
initial information to the investigator as possible. There have been several cases where the client neglected
to give the investigator a certain piece of crucial information which was extremely important to the outcome of
the case. The investigator, (OK, it was me), eventually figured it out, but it took twice as long as it would have
if the client would have supplied the information initially. The investigator also needs to be aware of what
questions to ask the client. Sometimes there is not much information to go on, but the investigator should be
experienced enough to know what to ask the client for. You are better off with too much information than too
little. I would personally rather have too much information than not enough!
Here is one example of good client / investigator communications:
In very difficult or hard to watch surveillance situations it is not uncommon for us
to work directly with the client over the phone. A few years back we had a case
where is was necessary for our client to contact us immediately and inform us that the subject of the
investigation was going to be arriving where he previously worked to sign some papers. Since we had no
idea what this individual looked like or what he drove, the client needed to stay on the phone and inform us
when the individual arrived and when he was walking out the front door. It turns out that doing this was
absolutely critical to solving the case. Without good communication, I doubt it would have worked out as well
as it did.
The second thing you should expect from any reputable investigations company is, can they tell you what
their background is and where they received their training? Can they tell you how long they have been doing
investigations and roughly how many cases they have worked on. If you are dealing with a large
investigations company you should be able to speak with the particular investigator directly and determine
what his experience or specialty is.
would like to talk a little bit about the "pros & cons" of hiring an investigator and performing surveillance. In
doing so, I hope you will be better informed as to how most investigators operate and about basic
surveillance. I also hope to inform you about some of the possible misconceptions and pitfalls of surveillance.
Knowing this information makes your job and ours a little bit easier. You, (the client), are already aware of the
vast positive benefits of hiring an investigator in cases where the truth needs to be exposed. I could talk here
for hours about the hundreds of successful cases that have been performed over the years, either saving a
client millions of dollars or locating a lost family member. Most people however do not know what they should
expect from a good reputable investigator and what we, the investigators need from you, the client to do our
jobs well.
The first thing you should expect from any reputable investigations company is good communication between
you and the investigator. I'm not only referring to when we initially obtain the needed case information from
the client. The lines of communication need to extend far beyond that and need to be available to you and
the investigator whenever necessary, (or at least the following day). Have you ever tried to contact the
investigator or attorney you hired and have to leave several voice mails which are never returned?
Frustrating isn't it? By good communication I am also referring to you, (the client), trying to give as much
initial information to the investigator as possible. There have been several cases where the client neglected
to give the investigator a certain piece of crucial information which was extremely important to the outcome of
the case. The investigator, (OK, it was me), eventually figured it out, but it took twice as long as it would have
if the client would have supplied the information initially. The investigator also needs to be aware of what
questions to ask the client. Sometimes there is not much information to go on, but the investigator should be
experienced enough to know what to ask the client for. You are better off with too much information than too
little. I would personally rather have too much information than not enough!
Here is one example of good client / investigator communications:
In very difficult or hard to watch surveillance situations it is not uncommon for us
to work directly with the client over the phone. A few years back we had a case
where is was necessary for our client to contact us immediately and inform us that the subject of the
investigation was going to be arriving where he previously worked to sign some papers. Since we had no
idea what this individual looked like or what he drove, the client needed to stay on the phone and inform us
when the individual arrived and when he was walking out the front door. It turns out that doing this was
absolutely critical to solving the case. Without good communication, I doubt it would have worked out as well
as it did.
The second thing you should expect from any reputable investigations company is, can they tell you what
their background is and where they received their training? Can they tell you how long they have been doing
investigations and roughly how many cases they have worked on. If you are dealing with a large
investigations company you should be able to speak with the particular investigator directly and determine
what his experience or specialty is.
| Things to consider before hiring an investigator |
| Happy Hunting! |
You have no idea how many companies out there hire young inexperienced kids who just quit working at the local "burger-barf" and then
set them on a street corner to watch someone. Don't get me wrong. I know several younger people who previously worked at a
restaurant that made top grade investigators. But, most of the time these companies hire younger inexperienced kids like this so they
can pay them almost nothing and then run them ragged. I make this point only to say that these investigators will probably not last long
and will have quit working for the company by the time your case needs to go to court. (Hopefully you can track him down so he can
testify for you - Hey.... I know a good P.I.).
The third thing you should expect from an investigations company is a legible comprehensive written report submitted in a timely fashion.
Different companies have varying policies on when to send reports to the client and what to include in the report. However, you should
receive a report reasonably soon after the case has been completed. If you are waiting weeks for your report, then you might want to
call and talk with a supervisor or the investigator in charge, (Can't get in touch with the supervisor? Remember the good communication
thing?). You should also be able to request daily oral reports from the investigator. A simple phone call to the client to let them know
how things are proceeding should not be too much to ask of an investigator.
The fourth thing you should expect is honesty and integrity. The investigations company you hire should be able to itemize the hours
spent on an investigation and any incidental charges. You should be told up front what the hourly rate is and if there are any additional
charges such as searches, report writing etc. Most of the time, there is absolutely no way of determining ahead of time how long an
investigation will take. However, you don't want to receive a bill for thirty hours more than you wanted to spend on a case. If the
investigator thinks a case will take longer than anticipated, then he needs to relay that to the client as soon as possible, (funny how
everything falls back to the communication thing).
Honesty and integrity goes far beyond how the client is billed and should also be evident in how the case is worked. As unbiased
investigators, our job is to go out and document the truth, (whatever the truth may be), and not to try to "create " a favorable scenario
for the client. A few years back I had a client who informed me that they "only wanted videotape of a claimant in an insurance
investigation which made him look bad". The client said, "do not take any video that might actually show the claimant is injured".
Needless to say we discontinued surveillance and informed the client we would no longer work the case. I will not work for a client who
wants me to purposely try and make an individual look bad, so please don't waste my time and your money.
Here are a few more things to consider when you decide to begin an investigation:
Time-Time-Time, Location-Location-Location. If you can remember these six words, (OK, two words), then you will have a better
understanding about the fickle nature of surveillance. First, I realize nobody wants to spend weeks and weeks on a surveillance and the
cost associated with it. But, plan on spending an adequate amount of time on any given investigation. You can not ignore the fact that
certain surveillances will take longer than others. In the past, I have personally wrapped up an entire case in five hours. Unfortunately,
this doesn't happen all of the time. On the other hand many of my most successful cases have taken a week or so. The simple fact is
that conducting surveillance on a house right across the street from Wal-Mart is going to be easier than surveillance on "Billy Joe Bob's"
house who lives 30 minutes down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and his house is at the end of a 100 yard driveway in
"Podunkville" Arkansas. Yes, I have conducted some of my most successful cases from places like this, (it is possible), but it will more
than likely take a bit longer and have to be worked differently. A rule of thumb is that rushed surveillances often turn out badly.
From a surveillance perspective you have to determine several key factors such as; Where is the best
discreet location to sit and observe? Which vehicles are being driven by the subject of the investigation?
Should you remain stationary and only watch the residence directly, or should you follow every
vehicle when it leaves the house? Is it even going to be possible to watch the residence for an extended
period of time? As I stated earlier, surveillance is a very fickle animal. I have personally worked cases in which
a federal law enforcement agency was conducting surveillance in the same neighborhood on the same street a
week prior to my arrival, (albeit was a different house but very nearby). The Fed's were detected by the individual
under investigation and eventually had to leave the area. I however was able to remain in the area for a week or so and finished my
case. I tell you this story not to brag. It could have very easily worked out the opposite way! I am only trying to relay to you how even
the Fed's with their vast resources can have a surveillance go bad!
From a tailing perspective there are many things to consider. Everything from traffic and traffic lights to weather and road conditions will
affect tailing an individual. Does the subject of the investigation speed and dart in and out of traffic, or drive ridiculously slow? (I once
followed an individual who drove so slow that it was difficult to follow her without being discovered). Tailing people is about the single
most unpredictable aspect of investigations and the plain truth is that it often takes more than one attempt to successfully follow
someone. All the experience and skill in the world will not stop Grandma Moses from pulling out in front of you and slowing down to look
at the pretty yellow traffic light as your subject is getting farther and farther down the road ahead of you!
I probably have a much better than average track record for being able to follow individuals, (again, I am not bragging but about to make
a point). I have successfully tailed people in Little Rock Arkansas, Baltimore Maryland, Memphis Tennessee and New Orleans
Louisiana. I have tailed individuals from Harrison Arkansas all the way to Tulsa Oklahoma. Then, in little Bentonville Arkansas, I lose
someone three blocks after they leave their house. It's frustrating, but it happens!
Locating individuals:
These days technology and the use of computers has made locating people less time consuming and more practical than ever before.
There is some really impressive and complete information out there if an investigator knows where to look. However, a good
background check or an attempt to locate an individual may have to consist of more than just checking a few computer records. First of
all, knowing which computer records to check and when to check them is often critical to locating someone, (a simple example is that you
would not want to check drivers records in Alaska if you knew their last known residence was in Florida three days earlier). If the
computer searches come up with a dead end, then it may be necessary to start calling people on the phone and doing it the old
fashioned way, ("foot work" I think they called it).
As far as locating people is concerned, remember this. Contrary to popular belief, there is not one all knowing super computer
database that knows everything about everyone. Anyone who tells you that they can find anyone anywhere at anytime is full of
themselves and is trying to sell you something. Many investigators can (and do) find most of the people they are looking for. Many
investigators have a certain specialty as far as the types of searches they perform or geographical area they are in. But consider this,
the F.B.I., the C.I.A. And the U.S. Marshall's have incredible vast resources and people at their fingertips and they still can't always find
everyone they are looking for. Just look at all the pictures on the wall at your nearby post office and you'll see what I mean.
I hope this page has been at least somewhat informative. Many of the things I presented here are things that a lot of other
investigations companies might not want to tell you. I however believe that much of this information is necessary for you to make an
educated decision on hiring an investigator. I have been involved in this business for 15 years now and have both endured the
frustrating difficult cases and felt the gratifying elation when the case is solved and the evidence obtained. I feel I have been blessed to
be involved in the business of private investigations and pray that I never lose sight of what it is all about. Helping people to find the
truth!
set them on a street corner to watch someone. Don't get me wrong. I know several younger people who previously worked at a
restaurant that made top grade investigators. But, most of the time these companies hire younger inexperienced kids like this so they
can pay them almost nothing and then run them ragged. I make this point only to say that these investigators will probably not last long
and will have quit working for the company by the time your case needs to go to court. (Hopefully you can track him down so he can
testify for you - Hey.... I know a good P.I.).
The third thing you should expect from an investigations company is a legible comprehensive written report submitted in a timely fashion.
Different companies have varying policies on when to send reports to the client and what to include in the report. However, you should
receive a report reasonably soon after the case has been completed. If you are waiting weeks for your report, then you might want to
call and talk with a supervisor or the investigator in charge, (Can't get in touch with the supervisor? Remember the good communication
thing?). You should also be able to request daily oral reports from the investigator. A simple phone call to the client to let them know
how things are proceeding should not be too much to ask of an investigator.
The fourth thing you should expect is honesty and integrity. The investigations company you hire should be able to itemize the hours
spent on an investigation and any incidental charges. You should be told up front what the hourly rate is and if there are any additional
charges such as searches, report writing etc. Most of the time, there is absolutely no way of determining ahead of time how long an
investigation will take. However, you don't want to receive a bill for thirty hours more than you wanted to spend on a case. If the
investigator thinks a case will take longer than anticipated, then he needs to relay that to the client as soon as possible, (funny how
everything falls back to the communication thing).
Honesty and integrity goes far beyond how the client is billed and should also be evident in how the case is worked. As unbiased
investigators, our job is to go out and document the truth, (whatever the truth may be), and not to try to "create " a favorable scenario
for the client. A few years back I had a client who informed me that they "only wanted videotape of a claimant in an insurance
investigation which made him look bad". The client said, "do not take any video that might actually show the claimant is injured".
Needless to say we discontinued surveillance and informed the client we would no longer work the case. I will not work for a client who
wants me to purposely try and make an individual look bad, so please don't waste my time and your money.
Here are a few more things to consider when you decide to begin an investigation:
Time-Time-Time, Location-Location-Location. If you can remember these six words, (OK, two words), then you will have a better
understanding about the fickle nature of surveillance. First, I realize nobody wants to spend weeks and weeks on a surveillance and the
cost associated with it. But, plan on spending an adequate amount of time on any given investigation. You can not ignore the fact that
certain surveillances will take longer than others. In the past, I have personally wrapped up an entire case in five hours. Unfortunately,
this doesn't happen all of the time. On the other hand many of my most successful cases have taken a week or so. The simple fact is
that conducting surveillance on a house right across the street from Wal-Mart is going to be easier than surveillance on "Billy Joe Bob's"
house who lives 30 minutes down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and his house is at the end of a 100 yard driveway in
"Podunkville" Arkansas. Yes, I have conducted some of my most successful cases from places like this, (it is possible), but it will more
than likely take a bit longer and have to be worked differently. A rule of thumb is that rushed surveillances often turn out badly.
From a surveillance perspective you have to determine several key factors such as; Where is the best
discreet location to sit and observe? Which vehicles are being driven by the subject of the investigation?
Should you remain stationary and only watch the residence directly, or should you follow every
vehicle when it leaves the house? Is it even going to be possible to watch the residence for an extended
period of time? As I stated earlier, surveillance is a very fickle animal. I have personally worked cases in which
a federal law enforcement agency was conducting surveillance in the same neighborhood on the same street a
week prior to my arrival, (albeit was a different house but very nearby). The Fed's were detected by the individual
under investigation and eventually had to leave the area. I however was able to remain in the area for a week or so and finished my
case. I tell you this story not to brag. It could have very easily worked out the opposite way! I am only trying to relay to you how even
the Fed's with their vast resources can have a surveillance go bad!
From a tailing perspective there are many things to consider. Everything from traffic and traffic lights to weather and road conditions will
affect tailing an individual. Does the subject of the investigation speed and dart in and out of traffic, or drive ridiculously slow? (I once
followed an individual who drove so slow that it was difficult to follow her without being discovered). Tailing people is about the single
most unpredictable aspect of investigations and the plain truth is that it often takes more than one attempt to successfully follow
someone. All the experience and skill in the world will not stop Grandma Moses from pulling out in front of you and slowing down to look
at the pretty yellow traffic light as your subject is getting farther and farther down the road ahead of you!
I probably have a much better than average track record for being able to follow individuals, (again, I am not bragging but about to make
a point). I have successfully tailed people in Little Rock Arkansas, Baltimore Maryland, Memphis Tennessee and New Orleans
Louisiana. I have tailed individuals from Harrison Arkansas all the way to Tulsa Oklahoma. Then, in little Bentonville Arkansas, I lose
someone three blocks after they leave their house. It's frustrating, but it happens!
Locating individuals:
These days technology and the use of computers has made locating people less time consuming and more practical than ever before.
There is some really impressive and complete information out there if an investigator knows where to look. However, a good
background check or an attempt to locate an individual may have to consist of more than just checking a few computer records. First of
all, knowing which computer records to check and when to check them is often critical to locating someone, (a simple example is that you
would not want to check drivers records in Alaska if you knew their last known residence was in Florida three days earlier). If the
computer searches come up with a dead end, then it may be necessary to start calling people on the phone and doing it the old
fashioned way, ("foot work" I think they called it).
As far as locating people is concerned, remember this. Contrary to popular belief, there is not one all knowing super computer
database that knows everything about everyone. Anyone who tells you that they can find anyone anywhere at anytime is full of
themselves and is trying to sell you something. Many investigators can (and do) find most of the people they are looking for. Many
investigators have a certain specialty as far as the types of searches they perform or geographical area they are in. But consider this,
the F.B.I., the C.I.A. And the U.S. Marshall's have incredible vast resources and people at their fingertips and they still can't always find
everyone they are looking for. Just look at all the pictures on the wall at your nearby post office and you'll see what I mean.
I hope this page has been at least somewhat informative. Many of the things I presented here are things that a lot of other
investigations companies might not want to tell you. I however believe that much of this information is necessary for you to make an
educated decision on hiring an investigator. I have been involved in this business for 15 years now and have both endured the
frustrating difficult cases and felt the gratifying elation when the case is solved and the evidence obtained. I feel I have been blessed to
be involved in the business of private investigations and pray that I never lose sight of what it is all about. Helping people to find the
truth!
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