When you are in need of an undercover investigator, you only want the best working for you. There are certain characteristics an effective private investigator possesses. They need to have the experience, skills and knowledge to track down the information you have been unable to find for yourself. At Tristar PI, we have over 30 years of investigative experience to help you find what you are looking for. The traits below are what you should seek out when hiring a private investigator no matter what your needs are.
Good People Skills
An undercover investigator must have good social skills and be able to relate to and work with a wide variety of people. This is important because so much of the work that needs to be done is in the field. Observation is important, but the ability to talk to people in a way that extracts important information without an individual feeling they are being interrogated is essential to success.
These skills become very important when locating an individual or attempting to observe a particular behavior they are suspected of engaging in. Many of these skills come with experience that accumulates over time, so it is usually in your best interest to hire a more experienced investigator whenever possible.
A Background in Law or Law Enforcement
Understanding the legal process is vital to success in this field of work. Therefore, the most successful private investigators have knowledge or a background in law and law enforcement. Most of our investigators at Tristar are ex-law enforcement professionals and have firsthand knowledge of the law.
Knowing what is legal and what is illegal during the course of an investigation avoids complicated legal issues after the process is completed, and in many situations, it can mean the difference between success and failure. The most effective investigators work closely with attorneys and law firms to find people and uncover evidence to help build the legal defense of an attorney’s client or their civil suits.
Using the Latest Technology
Many traits found in an effective undercover investigator are as important today as they were 50 years ago, but the ability to effectively leverage today’s electronic technology is equally important. In fact, they complement each other. A good example is the use of sub rosa video surveillance. In some cases, the only way to prove something is to have it on video.
There is no better example of this than with insurance fraud. When an insurance company hires a private investigator to go undercover and determine if they are paying out money to someone committing fraud, it is often through the use of video footage captured during sub rosa surveillance that they are able to provide evidence of fraud. An individual may claim to be bedridden with back problems only to be caught on video engaged in strenuous activity.
The Ability to be Discreet
Above all, an undercover investigator should never make his or her presence obvious. The ability to move among people to get information or observe them discreetly is fundamental to all aspects of an undercover investigation.
When you decide to hire a private investigator, it is important to take your time and make sure they have all of the traits needed for your investigation to be as successful as possible. That is what you’ll find when you hire an investigator with us. Our 28-year track record can provide you with the assurance that we possess both the experience and skills necessary to obtain the results you are looking for.
Bruce Robertson
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