Private investigators play a vital role in society, helping people to find the truth and solve problems. But what does a typical day in the life of a private investigator look like?

Morning

The day usually starts early for a private investigator. They may need to meet with clients, conduct surveillance, or follow up on leads.

If a private investigator is meeting with a client, they will typically discuss the case and develop a plan of action. The private investigator will also need to gather information from the client, such as the names of any witnesses or suspects, and any other relevant details.

If a private investigator is conducting surveillance, they will need to be patient and observant. They may need to sit in a car for hours, watching a subject’s home or business. Or, they may need to follow a subject on foot, being careful not to be seen.

If a private investigator is following up on leads, they may need to interview witnesses, search public records, conduct research or visit crime scenes. They may also need to use technology, such as GPS tracking devices or social media monitoring tools, to gather information. In one case, we needed specific information about certain chainsaws used for tree removal services in Mesa. We had to interview 5 different tree service companies to see what the crews preference was, which tool was used for what, how frequently it was maintenanced, the tools and oil used for maintenance, etc. It seems weird, but we end up having to do a lot of research on very unusual things that will give us the clue we need to break our case.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, a private investigator may continue to conduct surveillance, follow up on leads, or interview witnesses. They may also need to spend time in their office, writing reports, reviewing evidence, and developing new leads. For example, in one case, an investigator had to follow a Mooresville septic tank cleaning crew for an entire week to verify routine time on a job. This was one of his less than pleasant tasks. It can be a lot of work doing “leg work” that in the shows take 5 minutes, but in reality can take weeks of drinking coffee and taking notes.

If a private investigator is working on a complex case, they may need to work long hours, including evenings and weekends. They may also need to travel to different locations to gather information or meet with witnesses.

Evening

At the end of the day, a private investigator will typically review their notes and reports. They may also need to prepare for the next day’s work, by gathering any necessary supplies or equipment.

Challenges of the Job

Being a private investigator is a challenging job, but it can also be very rewarding. Private investigators must be able to work independently, be resourceful, and be able to think on their feet. They must also be able to handle stress and be able to work long hours. On another case, one of our private investigators had a client who suspected her husband was cheating on her. He had to follow the general contractor in Louisville for 2 months to verify there was no validity to her claims. Sometimes the cases are valid and other times people just get overly concerned for no legitimate reason. Either way we get paid, but there can be ruffled feathers, like in this case, unfortnately.

Rewards of the Job

The rewards of being a private investigator include helping people to find the truth, solving problems, and making a difference in people’s lives. Private investigators also have the opportunity to work on a variety of different cases, which can make the job very interesting and challenging.

Case Studies

Here are a few examples of cases that a private investigator might work on:

• Infidelity investigation: A spouse hires a private investigator to investigate their spouse for infidelity. The private investigator may need to conduct surveillance on the spouse, follow them to see where they go, and collect evidence of their infidelity.
• Child custody investigation: A parent hires a private investigator to gather evidence for a child custody case. The private investigator may need to interview witnesses, search public records, and investigate the other parent’s background.
• Background check: A company hires a private investigator to conduct a background check on a potential employee. The private investigator may need to search public records, interview former employers, and investigate the employee’s criminal history.
• Asset search: A creditor hires a private investigator to locate the assets of a debtor. The private investigator may need to search public records, interview witnesses, and follow the debtor to see where they keep their assets.
• Missing person investigation: A family hires a private investigator to find a missing person. The private investigator may need to interview friends and family members, search public records, and follow up on any leads.

Conclusion

A day in the life of a private investigator can vary depending on the cases they are working on. However, most private investigators spend their days conducting surveillance, following up on leads, interviewing witnesses, and gathering evidence. Private investigators play a vital role in society, helping people to find the truth and solve problems.