What’s Up with This Private Investigator?

If you have ever been wronged by your spouse, are intent on finding a distant family member, or are trying to unearth secrets about a risky investment, you may be in the market for a Long Island private investigator. Private investigators (abbreviated “PI” or informally known as “private eye”) are famous in fiction and television, but what are they in real life?

What They Do

In many cases, private investigators are ex-cops, attorneys, spies, military specialists, and body guards; people with the skills needed for the job. Private investigators most often work for attorneys in civil suits to find information on one or both parties. Many work privately and exclusively for insurance companies, investigating fraud and false claims. Others get hired privately by civilians to investigate cases of adultery and other divorce causing situations. But very few, very skilled private investigators work on high priority cases such as criminal defense and capital punishment. Many investors use private eyes to unearth information on risky investments such as fraud and other schemes.

Requirements

All private investigators must be licensed. Depending on their location, they may be allowed to carry a firearm for protection, as many private investigators enter dangerous situations to find the information they need. Because private investigators have direct involvement in either putting away or abdicating a criminal, they can frequently become targets to angry family members and vengeful friends. They must be fluent in all the jurisdictional laws and state laws concerning private investigation. Even though many PI’s come from an occupation of authority, they no longer have the authority to make arrests; they have only the rights of any common civilian. Since their information can be used as evidence against the defendant, private investigators are required to keep very detailed notes and be completely prepared to testify in court.

Other Responsibilities

A Long Island private investigator doesn’t just dig up dirt about criminals and adulterous spouses; they do a great deal many things. Many private investigators specialize in one area of expertise. Many deliver summons, debt collections, and other official documents to people that don’t particularly want to be found, such as debtors over their heads. Others specialize in finding and disabling unwanted surveillance, such as bugs in a corporate meeting room. Others tend to specialize in the strict protection of copyrights and various trade secrets, such as the spices in KFC chicken or the technology in Apple computers.