Private detectives can prove to be handy and helpful when it comes to gathering intelligence or information. However, hiring one can be a little tricky, especially since it involves a lot of legal risks. While you can simply choose a privateer from a credible investigation firm, it will not hurt to at least do a quick background check to ensure that you have the right person for the job you have in mind.
Luckily, you do not necessarily need to do a thorough investigation just to know if the private investigator you want to hire is credible and reliable. You can simply ask certain questions that can determine if they are qualified for the job.
Question # 1: Are you a licensed private investigator?
This is a very important question to ask especially if you are hiring a private contractor instead of one from an investigation firm. This is a critical requirement since this can prove that the PI you want to hire has received training and is aware of the protocols that must be followed.
Furthermore, most states require licenses for private investigators. And while almost anybody can simply claim they are licensed, they should readily show their private investigator certificate for confirmation.
Question # 2: What kind of training did you receive?
You should also be aware of how much experience your private investigator has. If they have worked in related fields such as law firms and police force, there is a good chance that they are equipped with various skills and resources to effectively do the job you want to hire them for.
In addition to this, a PI with proper training is guaranteed to yield better results than ones who are self-taught. After all, training will give them the knowledge they need to gather intel effectively.
Question # 3: What is your area of expertise?
You should not expect that the private investigator you want to hire would be as well rounded as Sherlock Holmes. Simply put, different private detectives have different areas of expertise.
Naturally, you will want to hire someone who has past experiences in handling the same type of case that you have. Feel free to ask about past cases that they have worked on before revealing the very nature of the job you are hiring for.
Question # 4: Can you readily provide work references?
Regardless if you are hiring a contractor or from an investigation firm, a private investigator must have a list of references that can prove their credibility. If the investigator you are hiring is hesitant or is unable to show you references, chances are they must be new, inexperienced or unprofessional. Whatever the reason is, it is best to avoid these kinds of investigators since they can be a liability in the future.
Hiring a private investigator can be risky. You should always remember that their actions will definitely make or break your case, so you have to make sure that you have the right person for the job.
