Questions to Ask When Hiring a PI

12 Jul Questions to Ask When Hiring a PI

Despite the typical portrayal of private investigators in movies as seedy individuals with corrupt contacts, the actual practices of private investigators certainly wouldn’t make the big screen. The majority of private investigators are ethical and adhere to legal methods in performing tasks for their clients.

If you need to hire a private investigator, it is imperative to ask the right questions to ensure that investigations are conducted ethically. Not only will this help set the groundwork for a positive working relationship, but it will also ensure that the information they gather can be used for the purpose it was intended. 

Make sure to ask the right questions when hiring a private investigator:

1. Are you licensed and what is your licencing number? Private investigators must have a licence based on a variety of requirements in their state to legally practice. These requirements must be fulfilled regularly in order to ensure that the licence is current. Check with your state to ensure that a private investigator or firm you are considering is licenced and has a licencing number. Doing so can help you determine if the private investigator is legitimate.
2. What is your background? Knowing your private investigator better can give you insight on their areas of expertise. Choose a private investigator that has the right skills for the specific job you need performed.
3. Who will handle my case? Private investigations are not alway one-man gigs, and it is not uncommon for agencies to have multiple people with a variety of skill sets and capabilities. Make sure the person handling your case has the right skills for the task and follows ethical guidelines in their work.
4. How long have you been working as a licenced private investigator? Knowing how long someone has been working as a private investigator can give you an idea of their track record; if a private investigator has multiple successful cases under their belt, hiring them may be a good option.
5. Do you obtain information using “legally grey” methods? This question is very important. The credibility of your case could be compromised if information was gathered illegally. Unfortunately, many methods of information-gathering lie in a legal grey area. Make sure you outline what is acceptable in your contract. Asking for work samples is also a good way to get a read on a private investigator’s methodology, and help decide if they are right for you.

Hiring a private investigator requires a certain level of caution and scrutiny. Make sure you ask the right questions to ensure your private investigator is reputable and ethical in their practice.

For more information about hiring a private investigator from the experts at Grand Slam Investigations, please call us directly at 231.359.1555.