FAQ

This office is committed to insuring that all of our customers are properly informed and understand the facts of any private investigative and/ or private detective service and we strongly believe that it is absolutely essential that certain trends within our profession is explained, so that the consumer can make the best informative decision possible when searching for the best suitable private investigative service provider.

 ATTENTION – EXERCISE CAUTION

This office strongly encourages that you familiarize yourself with some of the most common practices occurring in our profession and we ask that you exercise caution in your search and evaluation of what will be the right private investigative service to assist you with your needs  –

The Wholesale of Your Assignment – Throughout the past several years, there has been disturbing trends taking place in our industry. This is essentially how often the selling and/ or outsourcing of customer’s requests to outside services occur almost daily. Ask this question when you are discussing your situation.  Make certain that you know whether your request will be investigated by the individual that you are talking with or if there is any real possibility that it could quite possibly be outsourced.  Know the facts because if your case is outsourced, you could be at risk of actually  hiring a service that does not have any direct involvement in managing and being actively involved in your investigation.

Some of the reasons why this has become so very popular in this profession are that some in our industry lack the experience and resources to perform such complex investigations. Another reason is that some simply think that it is easier to do this in order to capitalize financially instead of actually performing the investigations themselves. No matter what the reasoning might be, this is an alarming trend that you truly do need to be aware and cautious of when seeking out any investigative assistance.

How Does This Affect You – If another investigative service is used to work your case and should testimony ever become necessary, you will undoubtedly be financially obligated to cover all travel expenses including the cost necessary for the investigator to testify on your behalf in order to substantiate any evidence that might have been gathered. Before you come to any decision of who you will trust to assist you, make certain that you are aware that your case will be investigated by someone other than the private investigative service that you are considering.

Physical Surveillance Details – Many investigative services in this profession have resorted to and commonly use non-licensed or non-registered persons to perform these types of investigative services. In many instances, college students and retired persons are most commonly used. If any person conducting such an investigation is not individually licensed and/ or registered under the license of the business, it is illegal in most states to have these individuals performing investigations in no matter what capacity.

How Does This Affect You – In most instances, the evidence gathered will require that it be substantiated and therefore, any person not meeting the requirements of either being individually licensed and/ or registered under the licensee as a private investigator and/ or private detective, any potential evidence gathered can easily be dismissed and essentially leave you without the necessary evidence to substantiate your case.

These particular types of private investigative services generally “gamble” on the fact that in most instances, testimony will not be needed.  Here is the question that you must ask of yourself. Is this a chance that you are willing to take?  Be certain that you make every effort and that you take whatever necessary steps are needed to insure that you as the customer is getting what you are about to pay for with your hard earned income.

What does it normally cost to hire a Private Investigator/ Private Detective?

The cost’s involved is pre-determined by the particular types of case assignments that have been conducted over a period of time and the inherent risks’ involved in conducting these specific types of investigations.  All of our private investigative staff are exceptionally qualified and experienced in conducting professional investigations. Therefore, our customers are actually paying for our expertise and experience in handling these investigative matters.

Can Private Investigators/ Private Detectives conduct surveillance on anyone and is it legal?

Absolutely.  Conducting and implementing surveillance operations is something that we do all of the time. There are very few instances where the investigator is limited as to where these surveillance’s can be conducted.

In fact, our investigators have oftentimes assisted local law enforcement agencies with gathering intelligence information about certain individuals and locations, while conducting totally separate surveillance operations.  Because of our exceptional ability and willingness to work alongside with these law enforcement departments, we have developed a very good working relationship that benefits all involved.

Would you recommend a “regular person” or a “friend” try to do the surveillance on their own?

Absolutely not. Surveillance operations can oftentimes be dangerous and unpredictable.  In order for these particular types of operations to be accomplished correctly, this requires specific training, skill and experience.

Secondly, the State of Connecticut has very specific licensing requirements, as do many of the other states.  All licensed private detectives and private investigators in Connecticut are required to meet all of the required and essential requirements, before they can obtain a private detective license. This license is renewed on a semi-annual basis, without exception and the standing requirements must be demonstrated in being current while meeting all applicable laws in order to continue holding the individuals private detective license.

If a “regular person” or “friend” tries to conduct surveillance on their own and any of the local law enforcement agencies become involved as the result of receiving a complaint, these persons can be subject to criminal charges, such as criminal trespass, stalking and harassment.

Therefore, if knowing someone’s activity is that important to you, we would strongly encourage you to hire a professional private investigator to handle this matter on your behalf.

How would I determine whether a person claiming to be a Private Investigator/ Private Detective, is truly licensed?

Unfortunately, there are many individuals in this State and across the country that claim to be private detectives and/ or private investigators.  Some have also taken out advertising space in a variety of publications, including telephone directories such as the local yellow pages, newspapers, magazines, internet sites and so forth. However, just because these individuals advertise themselves in this manner, this does not make them at all legitimate.

I would advise you to check the individual States Licensing Boards to verify that the private detective you are considering hiring, is actually licensed.  In the State of Connecticut, this information can be obtained through the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection – Special Licensing Division.

How successful are Private Investigators/ Private Detectives with conducting investigations into matters of missing persons?

I cannot speak for other private detectives and/ or private investigators or their success rates, when it comes to these particular types of searches.  These particular types of searches are very complicated and demanding.  Attention to detail is crucial, along with having superior analytical skills are all necessary for these particular types of investigations.

We have had many successful outcomes with our searches and likewise, many of our customers have been successfully reunited with their lost loved ones, old friends, past acquaintances and in many instances, family members that have run away for whatever their reason might have been.

Every single case is unique and our diversified team of private investigators and private detectives understand this.  And because of this, they have the necessary resources available to assist them with these particular matters and they will remain committed to achieving the very best possible outcome.