What To Know About Hiring A Private Investigation Service

There are times in life when you could use a private investigator. You might want to obtain evidence your spouse is cheating, or you may want to investigate the background of a nanny or someone you're just starting to date. A private investigator can gather information about someone using databases and research techniques not available to the general public. However, there are some things a private investigator can't do even if television shows make it seem otherwise. Here are some things to know about hiring an investigation service.

Private Investigators Follow The Same Laws As You

An investigator has more skills and equipment than you do, but they still have to follow laws when they're investigating someone. For instance, surveillance is legal as long as the investigator is on public property such as the street. You can't ask your investigator to break into someone's home to gather evidence or to hack a computer because those actions would break the law. Besides, investigators have other means of gathering information using their unique and creative skills, so doing anything that's illegal isn't necessary.

Investigators Can Find Hidden Information Online

While you can investigate someone using a search engine or social media, you're limited in the information you can find. A private investigation service subscribes to databases that contain information that isn't freely available. Plus, an investigator knows all the public records databases to search when gathering data on someone. If you're not having luck finding information about your nanny or date, then hiring an investigator to do a web search may be the only help you need to uncover the information you're looking for.

A Private Investigator Provides Documentation

One reason to hire an investigator is to obtain proof you might need for a divorce or custody case. An investigator can obtain public records, photographs, eyewitness statements, and other forms of proof that can be used in negotiations. You might hire the investigator yourself or your attorney might supply one. Either way, once you have proof of indiscretions in front of you, you'll be more informed about the decisions you need to take to protect your family and finances from a spouse that's having an affair, gambling, drinking, or engaging in illegal activities.

If you're not sure if an investigation service can help you, then set up an initial appointment and explain what you hope to gain from using them. The more information you can provide the investigator at the start, the better they can determine if they can help and how they'll go about it.