Do you have a runaway teenager? Do you need to investigate to find a witness for a legal court case? Are you trying to resolve a worker compensation matter, or collect information for anti piracy or fraud? Unfortunately, these situations and others do come up occasionally and only thorough investigations can help resolve these matters. It's occurrences like these when the services of a private investigator may help.



A private investigator (a.k.a. private eye or PI) is someone who undertakes investigations for a group or individual and uses skill and knowledge to gather hard-to-find information. Parents might hire someone to investigate if they have a runaway teen. Lawyers often hire private investigators in civil cases. During divorce cases, an investigator may be hired to gather evidence of infidelity or other illegal conduct against the institution of marriage. Insurance companies sometimes rely upon investigations to protect against insurance fraud.

Private investigators must keep detailed records of all their findings, and must be willing and ready to testify as a witness in court if necessary. Also, they must remain within the scope of federal, state and local law while conducting investigations. Their work may involve surveillance for long hours or during irregular hours, sifting through hundreds of files and records, visiting various locations to gather information, and even questioning those persons involved in the situation. For example, in the case of a runaway teen the investigator may ask questions of friends, prior boyfriends or girlfriends, school authorities, neighbors, etc.

Tips to Find the Right Private Investigator

You should be sure to hire an investigator that is licensed to practice in your particular state. Many states require that investigators obtain a license. For instance, if you live in Dallas, Texas and want to hire someone to conduct investigations within Dallas, make sure they are licensed with the state of Texas. Ask to see a copy of their license.

If you're not sure whom to contact, check with local or statewide PI (private investigator) associations. Or, ask a lawyer or insurance agent to recommend an investigator. You might also be able to locate investigators by searching the Web. If you live in Dallas, for instance, type in a search phrase such as "Dallas Texas private investigator" or "investigations in Dallas Texas." This will help you narrow the search to your local area.

When you meet with a potential investigator, ask if he/she can produce examples of reports from similar cases. Also, be sure to agree on a price before getting started with the investigation. Ask about retainer fees, hourly fees, special rates for surveillance during off-hours, etc.

When seeking a private investigator, choose one that is experienced in the type of work needed. Whether you need to know the whereabouts of a runaway teen, investigate a case of fraud or a worker compensation case, or find a long lost loved one, a private investigator will use his/her wisdom and resources to get all the facts!