With the internet making it seem background checks and investigations are less utilized, there is actually now a greater need for attorneys to use a private investigator. Attorneys have their own research techniques and litigation skills thanks to education and experience, but they still have limits. There are many public databases on the internet, but most of them have outdated or inaccurate information, creating a situation where data must be verified. From conducting interviews and finding witnesses, to catching a cheating spouse in the act, a qualified private investigator could be the difference between a successful trial or not. Arguments and case law are vital, but it's also important to have quality evidence.
Four ways investigators can help out an attorney are:
- Locating People
Attorneys often don't have the appropriate tools to track down people. Whether is a key witness who doesn’t want to be found or someone with knowledge of workplace misconduct, an investigator can help identify and locate this person.
- Locating Assets
Private Investigators are skilled at finding hidden assets too: from real estate, valuable personal property or vehicles. An investigator is also experienced in finding the existence and location of offshore or domestic bank accounts.
- Collecting Evidence
Infidelity and hidden assets are much easier to prove with a dedicated investigator. Someone with extensive knowledge of digital research and experience with surveillance is invaluable in these cases. An investigator can’t hack someone’s financial records, but they can interview witnesses or photograph the subject for evidence. Also in this digital age, investigators are used to recover electronic files-- even files previously thought deleted.
- Predicting Human Behaviors
An investigator’s report on a witness’s behaviors, habits or background can be invaluable while preparing for a deposition or courtroom testimony. Some attorneys will even hire an investigator to find out more about their own client’s background or habits so no surprising information will arise during the course of litigation.
In short, Investigators provide leverage for negotiations and important information that can otherwise be hard to come by. The key to negotiations or preparing for trial is having pertinent facts and updated information. Hiring a private investigator who has access to a variety of intelligence gathering methods, restricted proprietary databases and state of the art recording equipment will save an attorney valuable time and money.