Blog Layout

What exactly does a private investigator do?

Grant White • 11 April 2021

What do Private Investigators do exactly?

Private Investigators perform a wide range of tasks depending on the type of information requested and the legalities involved. In the UK private investigators must consider GDPR regulations that are applicable to each dependant on the legitimate interests of the client.

Covert surveillance is one method used by private investigators that involves watching an individual or business and making records about their behaviour. Most PI's utilise video recording and photography to record events but written records can and will be used. The agent can be static or mobile, inside a vehicle or on foot. The techniques and equipment used vary depending on the circumstances.

Tracing is also another popular service investigators are hired for and it involves locating an individual. This can be used for locating lost relatives, debtors and others. Agents will utilise a variety of tactics including public information (OSINT), interviews and speaking with people (HUMINT) and other resources. The methods employed are extremely wide ranging and no two agents will have the same techniques.

Because of the wide ranging and often highly specialised tasks PI's perform for highly diverse client groups what investigators do is highly dependant on many factors. However most work usually involves tracing or surveillance.

If investigators are not doing surveillance and tracing then they may be utilising trackers and searching for assets. When deploying trackers investigators must be very careful and examine the data impact of their usage, Operant abide by the ABI guidance on this. Some companies offer finger printing, infiltration, lie detectors, bug sweeping and many other types of services. What private investigators do is vast and so to be sure your in touch with the right professional, check what they specialise in as no one company is great at everything.
private investigator desk, computer, PI software, investigation
26 February 2023
A trained Private Investigator with years of experience reveals the 3 things you must know about Open Source Intelligence in the context of Private Investigations.
real investigator report, private investigator report, photographs, document, binder
by Grant 9 November 2022
How do Private Investigators find the information you are looking for? A detective working with Operant Investigators gives details on how OSINT provides significant data points for investigators.
private investigators desk, private investigator computer, monitor, desk, software
by Grant 18 August 2022
To understand investigations you must understand OSINT, to understand it you need to know the 5 reasons why it is critical. All Private Investigators use it, this is why.
5 March 2022
What types of overt photography do Private Investigators engage in and what equipment do they use?
17 January 2022
A common problem all agents encounter, especially so in cities is the problem of parking. A good parking location for a vehicle is essential in ensuring line of sight (LOS) and gathering recordings behind tint or disguised. Now you may be thinking, you would solve this problem through foot surveillance. This isn't always helpful, residential areas may not have many people on foot nearby, there may be nowhere to sit or bled in and a host of other reasons may want your bottom firmly planted in a car seat for this one. So you arrive or even better, as part of a recce (reconnaissance) or planning, you notice a parking problem. I find it helpful to break up the different problems into categories, I will list the types of scenarios. 2 Primary types of areas Urban - City or Town Rural - Villages, farms, greenery or forests Primary types of problems No LOS - Cannot observe the property or points of egress LOS but too distant - Cannot record of observe with any accuracy or with the level of responsiveness needed LOS but blocked - Your vision is obstructed temporarily Too close - The risk of exposure is too high and no places further away are available Primary causes of problems Temporary blockage by vehicle - A behemoth has just parked in your LOS Double yellow lines - No parking here Single yellow lines - Restricted at certain times, they will always be the times you need to be their All spaces are in use - The most frequent issue Moved too many times already - You've been moving around frequently and are reaching a point where further movement between spaces will compromise the surveillance A mixture - A mix of the above It is incredibly frustrating when your turn up to perform your surveillance and have nowhere to park. You know the client will not be happy and your stuck in a tough spot. Parking for private investigators is an essential part of the work and for some cases is strictly required to ensure good results.
man watching, investigator, private investigator, covert surveillance, car
by Grant White 25 September 2021
Who is able to hire a Private Investigator in the UK? Is it legal?
whatsapp, sherlock, investigator, glass, messaging, private investigator
by Grant White 25 September 2021
Can a Private Investigator access whatsapp messages? Can they see your private messages?
by Grant White 18 September 2021
How much does a Private Investigator charges for their services, what kind of fees can you expect and what will the cost be?
by Grant White 18 September 2021
Many people ask: "What do private investigators get hired for?" So, we've compiled a list: What do private investigators get hired for? 1. Surveillance. 2. Finding addresses. 3. Finding someone. 4. Verifying information. 5. Gathering intelligence for further action. However, this is not an exhaustive list of what a private investigator can do. There are many different applications and benefits of hiring a private investigator. Here are some of the benefits of hiring a private investigator: 1. Save money - Instead of dedicating an in-house employee to do the job, a quick and easy way would be to hire a PI short term to get the job done properly. 2. Save time - Time is money; private investigators investigate for a living, they can do the job quickly, professionally, and accurately getting the best results. The term 'Private Investigator is not that specific', but rather an umbrella term for people that act in the area of investigation - each with varying skill-sets and specialisations. Here are some of he common skill-sets a private investigator may specialise in. 1. Financial & Cryptocurrency investigations. 2. Business intelligence. 3. Surveillance. 4. Social engineering. 5. Tracing. 6. Fraud. 7. Background checks. 8. Employee absenteeism. 9. Property. 10. Company checks. Sometimes private investigators are picking up the pieces of a previous investigation, and can include many of these above listed investigations in one case.
8 September 2021
The penal code review in France which made Private Investigator use in civil proceedings legal.
Show More
Share by: