Private Investigators

Private investigator equipment includes a lot of software since a good portion of private investigating is done from behind a desk.  They use software like Net Detective, RealTime Spy, and Urgent Detective to find people, conduct background searches, search public records, find missing persons, and much more.  From time to time, depending on the type of investigation you are conducting, one may need a DSLR camera with a telephoto lens or other lens.  There also may be a need for recording equipment.

If you go about the process to hire a private investigator, you need to be careful.  It is a good idea to keep the fact that you are looking quiet.  If you do not know anyone who has hired a private investigator in the past, you can look in the yellow pages or look at a Private eye List Directory.  Your best bet is to obtain a detective where you investigation will be covered. 

You will want to make sure that you private eye is licensed by the government, unless you are hiring in a state that does not require government licensing.  Write down the detective`s license number.  Remember that, in most states, it is illegal for a private eye to work without a license, and it is illegal for you to hire them.  After you get the license number, look it up.  They are on public record; all you need to do is call the states licensing authority.  Also, Make sure that the private eye has insurance coverage.  Investigators who are serious about their trade can have insurance as high as a million dollars!  This coverage is also a public record, so you can make sure it exists.

After you make sure that your private detective is legit, you should interview him.  You want to know if the private eye has any experience in the field you will be investigating.  The private eye should also be certified with the National Association of Legal Investigators if you want a legal investigation or with the Association of Verified Fraud examiners if you are investigation fraud.  Do not be afraid to ask the private eye any questions that you feel are relevant.  You could ask how they got into this line of work to check his ethics and ability.  Also, do not be shocked if he asks you questions.  That is his job.  He has to protect himself to ensure that you aren't hiring him to do something illegal.

Private investigators are usually paid an hourly rate, plus expenses related to the job, such as airline tickets, hotel fees, and long-distance calls.  Some are open to working on a flat rate, but you will have to provide a deposit.  If they are experienced, they may even be able to give you an estimate of the total costs.  It is a good idea to ask for an estimate anyway, so you are not deceived by the price.  Hiring a private eye can be very expensive. Also take a look at this private investigators directory.