| A private investigator, also known as a private | | | | time with a suspect for the sake of receiving a |
| detective, private eye, or a PI, is a licensed | | | | higher fee is someone to avoid; likewise, someone |
| individual who is utilized by individuals or | | | | who does not spend enough time investigating will |
| professional groups to do an investigation for | | | | not be able to offer you anything of substance. |
| personal or business reasons. Private investigators | | | | A typical investigation performed varies depending |
| are popular in the investigation of infidelity, for | | | | on the type of investigation you have asked for. |
| divorce matters, for families unhappy with a | | | | For civil matters, the investigation in usually |
| current police investigation of a crime, and for | | | | concluded within a week. The investigator will |
| attorneys or law firms. Insurance companies may | | | | spend their entire week watching and recording |
| also use a private investigator to detect fraud in | | | | the suspect, and will produce a detailed report |
| an insurance claim. | | | | listing the time and actions that took place. Video |
| If you are in need of a detective for a personal | | | | tape usually accompanies this report, so that you |
| matter, there are a few things to consider. For | | | | can see exactly what the investigator saw. Audio |
| starters, if you are using a PI for the purposes of | | | | tape and pictures may also be attached to the |
| obtaining information on a cheating spouse for | | | | report. |
| evidence in filing for a divorce, most areas now | | | | For more intricate investigations, the investigator |
| allow for a no-fault divorce, which requires no | | | | can take anywhere from a few weeks to a |
| wrongdoing on the part of either spouse. Check | | | | matter of years to conclude their investigation. |
| with your jurisdiction before hiring, because filing | | | | They may not even be able to produce results |
| for a no-fault divorce can save you a lot of time | | | | after this period of time, depending on the nature |
| and money, versus utilizing a private investigator. | | | | of what is being investigated. Cases like this are |
| If your personal circumstances still necessitate the | | | | usually not the norm, and are reserved for |
| use of a investigator, do your research thoroughly | | | | families who hire an investigator to review a |
| before choosing one. In almost every state, they | | | | crime, such as the murder of a loved one, when |
| are required to be licensed or certified, but this is | | | | they feel the local police department is not doing |
| normally not hard to obtain. Simply filling out an | | | | a well enough job. |
| application and paying the fee is enough for | | | | Private investigators, as least good ones, can |
| licensing in many states. Do not think simply | | | | come at a very steep price. Their services can |
| because an investigator holds these credentials, | | | | range anywhere from $50 to $300 an hour, with |
| that they are experts in their field. | | | | written reports and reviews of the work done |
| Interview the person you plan on using. Find out | | | | costing into the thousands. Private investigators |
| what their specialty it, what background they | | | | are not cheap, and should be reserved for |
| have in the field, and what they can do for you. | | | | emergency situations, or for businesses that can |
| Ask about the reports they produce, if they will | | | | stand to lose a lot of money to fraud, such as |
| be turning over any audio or video tape in | | | | insurance companies. Those who use private |
| conjunction with their investigation, and how long | | | | investigators for personal matters, such as |
| they generally spend investigating a subject. | | | | divorce, would be better off saving their money |
| Someone who spends an exuberant amount of | | | | for other purposes. |