What are private investigators and what do they do?

Private investigators are professionals who conduct investigations for private individuals, businesses, insurance companies, and law firms. They are not law enforcement, and do not have the same legal authority. They are private citizens who work directly for their clients, and are not bound by the same legal restrictions as law enforcement. They are free to pursue any and all investigative leads, and are frequently able to access sensitive information that is off limits to law enforcement. They are also in a better position to maintain their clients' confidentiality and look out for their best interests.

Why should I hire a private investigator?

While many people think they can investigate their own cases, the truth is that very few people have the technical expertise to do so. Private investigators have access to restricted databases that are much more complete and accurate than databases available to the public. They also have a thorough knowledge of all of the records and information sources available to them, and know which ones to search for the required information. They are thoroughly trained in the investigative methods that will bring the case to the best possible conclusion. In addition, private investigators are well-acquainted with the laws in their areas of operation, and are legally protected from allegations of stalking, harassment, and invasion of privacy.

What services do private investigation agencies provide?

The services provided depend on the individual agency. Some agencies only specialize in a few types of investigations, and others offer a broader range of services. Agencies will usually specify their services on their websites. DENA & ASSOCIATES INVESTIGATIONS LLC is a full-service agency that investigates all types of cases. From Skip Tracing, Background Investigation, and Surveillance to the most complex Missing Persons and Criminal Investigations, we are able to handle all of your investigative needs.

Why should I hire a full-service agency?

Hiring a full-service agency is much more advantageous than hiring one that only specializes in certain cases for several reasons. First of all, most cases require the same investigative skills to be utilized in various ways. An investigator who is adept at applying those skills to many different kinds of cases is more efficient in their use. There is less chance that he will encounter a situation that he has not dealt with before, and he is less likely to miss anything in his investigation.

Secondly, at the start of an investigation, there is no way to know for sure where it will lead and what steps will need to be taken along the way. An investigator who has more varied experience is better able to manage a case from it's beginning, through the various twists and turns in the middle, to arrive at a successful conclusion.

Finally, a full-service agency has a much deeper knowledge pool to draw from in handling your case. Our various cases bring us into contact with a greater portion of the public, and we have developed more confidential sources of information as a result. We also deal with more law enforcement agencies and government officials than investigators who only specialize in a few investigations. These contacts that are developed over time can be crucial to obtaining the information needed to solve cases quickly and thoroughly. Agencies that only specialize in a few investigations simply do not have as many confidential contacts as agencies with broader investigative experience.

How much does a private investigator cost?

The cost varies depending on the nature of the case. Some factors that affect the cost are the amount of time that will be needed to conduct the investigation, how many investigators will be needed, any risks involved, and any necessary expenses such as travel, specialized equipment, or record searches. The best way to get an idea of the cost is to speak directly with a private investigator about your specific case. You should be wary of agencies that quote their rates up-front without first learning the details of your case. This cookie-cutter approach is amateurish, and does not provide the client with accurate information. There is simply no way to know how much an investigation will cost, or how to keep costs to a minimum, without first learning the details of the case.

At DENA & ASSOCIATES INVESTIGATIONS LLC, we are first and foremost in the business of helping people. While we do charge a reasonable market rate for our services, we keep them as affordable as possible for the sake of our clients. We also tailor our investigations to our clients' specific needs to keep costs to a minimum while still delivering first-class service. Not everyone has unlimited funds to pay for investigative services, but their needs are just as important as those who do. If your resources are limited but your need is great, we still want to help you! Contact us directly for a free consultation, and we can discuss the specific cost of your case in greater detail.

What credentials should a private investigator have?

The first thing to look for when hiring a private investigator is licensing. Most states, including Washington State, require a private investigation agency and it's employees to be licensed before doing business. You will want to check with the Department of Licensing to ensure that the agency and individual licenses are active and have all of the necessary endorsements (i.e. armed endorsement if offering armed services). Private investigators are required to provide their license information upon request, and you should not do business with one who does not provide it.

The second thing you will want to look for is membership in professional associations. There are quite a few associations for private investigators around the world. Some are global or nationwide, and others are specific to individual states. These associations provide continuing education and certification to their members, and help to ensure that the professional standards of the industry remain high. A reputable private investigator will usually be a member of at least a few of these professional associations. You can tell a lot about an investigator by the company he keeps. If he associates with other professional investigators, you can be more certain of his credentials.

What personal qualities should a private investigator have?

The first personal quality to look for in a private investigator is experience. A private investigator should have several years of experience before being tasked with managing your case. Beginners are usually assigned field work by more senior investigators for several years before they are tasked with dealing with clients directly and leading investigations themselves. Is the private investigator who will be working with you sufficiently experienced? Does he have experience in the particular field that your case requires? Does he have enough varied experience to handle your case? These are a few questions to answer before choosing a private investigator.

You should also look at how a private investigator presents himself, both through media and in person. Private investigators are professionals, and should conduct themselves in a professional manner. Since they are frequently tasked with handling confidential information, they should be prudent in their words and actions. They must also be excellent listeners who can easily relate to people from all walks of life, never allowing their biases to affect their judgement. They are in the business of serving others, and should be approachable, knowledgeable, and humble in their dealings with others.

What is it like working with a private investigator?

It is really a very simple process, and usually follows the same steps. First, a client contacts a private investigation agency by email or phone and provides a few details of their case. Then, the investigator schedules an in-person meeting with the client to discuss the specifics of the case. This consultation is free, and is for both the client and investigator to decide if they will proceed any further. At this meeting, the investigator will ask the client some questions about their case to determine exactly what needs to be done. He will then recommend a course of action and tell the client what the investigation will cost. If the client agrees to these terms, they will both sign a client agreement that defines the parameters of the case, including objectives, expenses, and payment. Depending on the nature of the case, the investigator may require the client to pay a retainer before beginning the investigation.

Then the investigation will begin. It may take a few hours, days, or even weeks, depending on the nature of the case. The investigator may update the client frequently or not, depending on the client's preference. Sometimes there are large, unforeseen expenses connected with a case, such as long distance travel, and the investigator will always check with the client before incurring them. Sometimes, depending on the specific case, more work than was originally agreed upon will need to be done. In these situations, the investigator will check with the client to determine how much further he wants to proceed with the investigation, and will also discuss the associated costs. The client is always consulted in these instances before moving forward with further investigation. When the client is satisfied with how far the investigation has been taken, the investigator will provide the client with a written report summarizing the investigation and an invoice detailing all expenses. This concludes the case, unless the client wishes to re-open it in the future.

What kind of results can I expect?

The results of an investigation depend largely on the nature of the case and what information is available. For example, a client may hire an investigator to conduct a surveillance on a subject, and the subject might or might not do something incriminating while under surveillance. A client may hire an investigator to conduct a background investigation on a subject, and the subject might or might not have anything incriminating in his past. A client may hire an investigator to find a missing person, and the person might or might not be locatable for many reasons.

While a skilled investigator will get results most of the time, results can never be guaranteed due to the many variables affecting the case. You should be wary of any investigator who guarantees results. What you should look for is an investigator who guarantees the thoroughness with which he will conduct the investigation. While you cannot be certain of what the investigator will or will not find, you should be sure that whatever the results, everything that can be done will be done to get you the answers you need.

Where can I find out more?

There are always more questions. The next step is to speak directly to someone with the answers. We are ready to walk you through this process. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!