I’m an Australian who is a private investigator in Melbourne and have conducted different types of investigations. When most people think of private investigators, they picture a shadowy figure in a trench coat, lurking in the background of a bustling city street, keeping a close eye on a target.
This image, made famous by countless movies and TV shows, has a grain of truth, but the reality of what private investigators (PIs) do is far more diverse and nuanced. PIs are professionals who engage in a wide array of tasks to gather information, conduct investigations, and assist clients with legal, corporate, and personal matters.
While their work may seem mysterious, private investigators are highly trained and skilled individuals who use a combination of modern technology, traditional detective methods, and deep knowledge of the law to carry out their tasks. Below, we’ll dive into the various roles private investigators play and explore the types of investigations they typically handle.
Surveillance
One of the most common and well-known tasks that private investigators perform is surveillance. Surveillance involves closely monitoring a person or location to gather information on a subject’s behavior, actions, or whereabouts. This could include following someone to track their movements or observing them from a distance to gain insight into their activities.
For example, a private investigator may be hired by a client to track the activities of a spouse in a suspected case of infidelity. The investigator might follow the subject, documenting their movements, photographing key events, and collecting evidence to either confirm or deny the allegations. Surveillance can also be used in corporate settings, such as monitoring employees suspected of misconduct or investigating potential fraud.
While surveillance might seem straightforward, it often requires a great deal of patience, attention to detail, and the ability to remain discreet. PIs use a combination of physical observation, camera equipment, and sometimes even drones or GPS tracking devices to gather evidence without being detected.
Background Checks
Private investigators are often hired to conduct thorough background checks on individuals or businesses. Background checks are essential in a wide variety of situations, ranging from hiring an employee to vetting a potential romantic partner or conducting due diligence on a business partner.
In a typical background check, the investigator will verify an individual’s identity, criminal history, educational background, employment history, and financial standing. This can also extend to checking for any history of civil litigation or bankruptcy. The goal is to uncover potential red flags affecting a client’s decision-making process.
For example, a business owner may hire a private investigator to conduct a background check on a potential employee or business partner to ensure that there are no undisclosed criminal convictions or financial issues that could pose a risk. Similarly, a person entering into a new relationship might want to verify that their partner has no hidden past that could affect their future together.
Locating Missing Persons
Another key area in which private investigators specialize is locating missing persons. Whether it’s someone who has disappeared under suspicious circumstances or a long-lost relative, private investigators are often called upon to track down people who are hard to find. PIs use a variety of techniques to locate missing persons, including database searches, social media monitoring, and interviewing witnesses.
Missing person cases can range from the simple (a runaway teenager) to the complex (a person who has been intentionally hiding from authorities or loved ones). The search process often involves piecing together bits of information from various sources, using both traditional investigative methods and modern technology to track down the person in question.
Private investigators sometimes work alongside law enforcement, assisting in more complicated investigations. In other cases, they may work independently for individuals or families who are looking for someone who has been missing for years.
Corporate Investigations
Corporate fraud is very common and Private investigators play a crucial role in undermining this fraud. Companies often hire PIs to investigate employee theft, fraud, intellectual property theft, or internal misconduct. These types of investigations can be highly sensitive, as they often involve trusted employees or business partners.
For example, a company may suspect that one of its employees is embezzling funds, but it may not have the resources or expertise to investigate the matter internally. A private investigator could be brought in to examine financial records, interview employees, and track suspicious activity, all while maintaining confidentiality and discretion.
Private investigators may also conduct investigations into corporate espionage, where one company steals trade secrets or intellectual property from another. In these cases, the investigator will gather evidence to prove that a breach has occurred, whether it’s through physical theft, cyberattacks, or the unauthorized sharing of sensitive information.
Civil and Criminal Investigations
Private investigators are frequently called upon to assist in both civil and criminal investigations. In civil cases, PIs can help gather evidence for lawsuits, including personal injury claims, divorce cases, and child custody disputes. Their role might involve finding witnesses, conducting interviews, or locating crucial documents that support a client’s case.
In criminal cases, private investigators may work on behalf of defendants who believe they have been wrongly accused of a crime. In these situations, the investigator’s task is to uncover new evidence that could exonerate the defendant, find alibis, or identify alternative suspects. For instance, if someone is accused of assault, a private investigator may attempt to uncover new witnesses or surveillance footage that casts doubt on the prosecution’s case.
PIs also work in situations where law enforcement has limited resources or is unable to take on a particular case. They can follow up on leads that might otherwise go unnoticed and provide an additional layer of investigation that could help bring clarity to a complex situation.
Fraud Investigations
Private investigators are often hired to investigate fraud in various forms. Whether it’s insurance fraud, investment fraud, or identity theft, PIs are experts in uncovering deceptive schemes and gathering the evidence needed to hold wrongdoers accountable.
In an insurance fraud investigation, for instance, a private investigator may be hired by an insurance company to determine whether a claim is legitimate. This could involve reviewing medical records, interviewing witnesses, and checking if the claimant’s story matches the available evidence. Similarly, in cases of investment fraud, PIs can investigate whether a company or individual has misled investors or misappropriated funds.
Digital and Cyber Investigations
In today’s digital age, many private investigators are also skilled in cyber investigations. They may be called upon to track down cybercriminals, uncover online harassment, or investigate data breaches. Digital tools like email tracing, IP address location tracking, and social media forensics have become essential components of modern investigations.
Cyber investigations may also involve recovering deleted files or uncovering digital footprints that could provide vital information about a suspect’s activities or intentions. With the rise of online scams, identity theft, and cyberstalking, private investigators are increasingly relied upon to provide expertise in this growing area of investigation.
Conclusion
The work of private investigators is much more than what is typically portrayed in films and television. Far from being just shadowy figures tracking down cheating spouses, private investigators are professionals who handle a broad range of tasks, from locating missing persons to conducting complex fraud investigations. Their work requires a mix of skills, including surveillance, background research, interviewing, and legal knowledge.
Whether they are helping individuals find lost loved ones, assisting businesses in preventing fraud or uncovering crucial evidence for legal cases, private investigators play a key role in gathering information and solving problems. And while their work can sometimes feel like something out of a detective novel, the reality is that they are highly trained professionals who contribute significantly to the legal, business, and personal realms.
