How Does a Private Investigator Do Their Job?

Tips & Tricks

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Private investigators have a mysterious and often misunderstood job. From looking into infidelity to finding someone who doesn’t want to be found, there’s no question that hiring a private investigator will help you uncover information that you couldn’t otherwise come by. But you may be surprised to learn that the private investigator in Los Angeles you want to hire has to follow some strict rules.

What Private Investigators Can and Can’t Do

Private investigators are talented at finding information that the layperson cannot, and many states require that private investigators have a license. However, this does not grant private investigators any special legal privileges. All evidence that PI gathers must be obtained legally.

This means that a PI can’t trespass, impersonate a police officer, make arrests, or hack into online accounts. A PI in California cannot secretly record any conversations because California requires the consent of both parties. This doesn’t mean that private investigators don’t have any tricks up their sleeves.

How Private Investigators Solve Cases

As long as they stay within the confines of the law, private investigators have free reign. Often, they’ll start with information that’s available to the public or can be requested: license plate identifications, cell phone records, background checks, social media accounts, business records, and property records. All of this data gives investigators a solid foundation to work with.

When private investigators want to catch someone in the act, they’ll use legal surveillance tactics. Private investigators are allowed to take photos of people in public places and monitor someone’s movements on public property. With enough information, your private investigator can put the pieces together to understand the bigger picture.

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What Happens When You Hire a Private Investigator in Los Angeles

Consultation

Your Los Angeles private investigator will meet with you before they decide to take your case. During the consultation, you’ll explain your problem and what information you’d like them to find. The PI will give you realistic expectations about what they can find and a timeline for getting the information.

Heading Into Action

Next, the PI will head into action. They’ll start by digging into records to find background information on the person. If necessary, they’ll monitor the person’s movements and even conduct a stakeout to get proof. Depending on your case, your PI will take certain actions, like talking to their contacts, taking pictures, listening in on conversations, and searching up phone numbers and license plates.

Analyzing & Presenting the Evidence

Private investigators do more than just gather evidence. They use their honed analytical skills to piece data together and find common threads. It’s no surprise that the 2022 market size for the private detective services industry is $6.5 billion in the United States. Private investigators are able to find the connections between seemingly unrelated facts, leading them to discover secret behaviors, find hidden persons, and even unearth illegal business dealings.

If you haven’t had success finding what you’re looking for, it’s time to hire a private investigator. It’s the safest and most legal way to quickly uncover evidence that’s hard to come by.

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