What is a PI?

In this article, I will introduce you to the function				state and federal level, and the laws, and
of the modern professional investigator: The				procedures, governing access to those records.
licensed and bonded professional, who provides				He, or she, must have the ability, and experience,
services to the legal, insurance, and business				to interpret the data gathered, to answer
communities, and private individuals. I will include				questions, and draw inferences. Knowledge of
information to assist the reader in locating and				photography is essential, as is being computer
evaluating a professional and licensed investigator.				literate. It is imperative that the investigator is
We are a regulated profession. Here is the current				conversant with all privacy laws, and other
law in NH. Most states are similar, generally.				regulations, which affect this research, and all
New Hampshire Law, RSA 106-f: 4 states, in				activities. This is where the problem lies, when an
relevant part:				unlicensed person steps into the picture. Licensing
"Private detective" means a person engaged in				means a Bond on file, higher standards,
conducting investigations involving, but not limited				professionalism, and oversight to protect the
to:				consumer.
(a) Unsolved crimes.				This is not a profession for the inexperienced or
(b) Insurance.				someone whose education and training comes
(c) Clandestine surveillance.				from the inside of a matchbook cover. There is
(d) Missing persons.				far too much at stake for the client.
(e) Lost, concealed, or stolen property.				Today's investigator is a highly skilled professional,
(f) Escaped felons or wanted persons subject to				in a highly regulated profession. A professional
reward for capture.				investigator can help the client define a problem,
II. "Private detective agency" means the business				reduce it to its least common denominator, locate
of collecting for a fee, hire or reward information				the facts and information needed to answer the
on the identity, conduct, movements,				questions, or solve the problems, and advance the
whereabouts, affiliations, transactions, reputation				client's position in the matter. He, or she, must be
or character of any person, or otherwise doing				able to document the findings, in a professional
investigative work for a private rather than a				report, and be prepared to present the
public interest.				information in a, court of law, or other legal
It is clear that it is the intent of the legislature to				forum.
regulate the activity, not the title of the provider.				Investigators come to the profession from a
If you engage in these activities, for a fee, you				variety of backgrounds: former law enforcement
must be licensed.				officers, at the local, state, and federal level, and
Investigators provide background investigations on				those with experience in the insurance industry, or
witnesses, as well as locating, and serving				perhaps the military, or private sector/corporate
subpoenas on uncooperative witnesses. They				security, and investigations.
investigate insurance fraud, saving millions of				The field of private of investigation is a highly
dollars annually.				regulated profession, regulated by state laws, and
Services to the business community include;				licensing regulations. Here in NH there is Legislation
employee background investigations, verification				pending that will amend RSA 106-f and create a
of employment application information, internal				Regulatory Board and codify ethical standards and
theft, and workplace violence issues. They also				define Unprofessional Conduct.
provide skip-tracing services, to locate debtors.				How does one locate, and evaluate, a competent,
Professional investigators often specialize. Those				and experienced, investigator? What are the
who focus on intellectual property theft, for				criteria? A telephone book ad or a web site is no
example, investigate and document acts of piracy,				guarantee that the person is licensed, or has the
help clients stop the illegal activity, and provide				qualifications that meet your needs.
intelligence for prosecution and civil action. Other				Ask a professional colleague for a referral. Ask
investigators specialize in developing financial				questions, request documentation, and references.
profiles and asset searches. Their reports reflect				New Hampshire law requires that all investigators
information gathered through interviews,				post a $50,000.00 bond, but does not require an
investigation and surveillance, and research,				investigator to provide proof of insurance. Ask for
including review of public documents.				a copy of the investigators insurance certificate. It
Financial investigators may be hired to develop				protects both the investigator, and the client. It is
confidential financial profiles of individuals or				one of the marks of the serious professional. Ask
companies who are prospective parties to large				for, and contact, professional references. The
financial transactions. They search for assets in				investigator should be able to furnish you with
order to recover damages awarded by a court in				detailed curriculum vitae, and a copy of his, or her,
fraud or theft cases. These are but a few of the				contract for services.
services provided by investigators.				Another consideration is his/her commitment to
The "tools of the trade": A thorough knowledge				excellence, ongoing training, and professional
of investigative procedures and protocols is				standards. The Hallmark of the professional
paramount. They need a thorough knowledge of,				investigator is his/her membership in the New
and experience with, the judicial system. A good				Hampshire League of Investigators. The League is
investigator must have an understanding of				the only professional association of investigators in
human behavior. He, or she, must have an in				New Hampshire.
depth knowledge of public records at the local,