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The Do It Yourself Detective
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So, you meet the prospective investigator, you discuss the possibilities of your case and he tells you, no problem for $800.00 dollars he can guarantee to get the evidence on video tape, still photo or otherwise absolutely prove what you suspect.
If you hear something like this, my advice to you would be to get a second opinion. First, I personally never guarantee absolute results in an investigation and I don't know how anyone can either. Situations change, the target might quit the behavior, believing that they are being looked at, any number of circumstances can get in the way of success. The other thing that would bother me is the dollar figure guarantee. I've never been able to accurately predict how much a surveillance case will cost a client. Sometimes you get lucky and get what you need early on the first surveillance and sometimes you try time after time and may never get anything you can use. I've sat surveillance every night for two months. I've followed this person from work to home, to the store, to restaurants and back home again, never seeing anything. The client insisted I stay on the job until something happened. The end result was that I finally persuaded my client that nothing would probably happen until after the pending court date. The target just wasn't taking any chances about possibly being noticed.
My point here is simply this. Surveillance is not cut and dried. There are many variables that can change the rules at any time. There are no guarantees and if someone makes that promise, I would simply get a second opinion.
If you liked the investigator you first met and felt comfortable that he could do the job, just be careful. Make sure the contract is spelled out completely to include all fees and the guarantee of results. If the phone book doesn't work for you ask a friend. You might be surprised at the number of people who have used investigators and don't talk about it. Search the internet as well for investigators in your area.
You can also ask attorneys about the investigators they have used. They will usually know who can get the job done and who you should avoid. Ask questions about how easy the investigators were to reach after the retainer was paid. Ask about updates on the case. Ask about the reports being detailed, photos or video being useable and if the report or photographic evidence was rendered on time and available for use at court time.
My advice here, very succinctly, is be careful choosing an investigator. Do your homework, check the investigator out. The nature of the information you seek is very sensitive and personal and you want the best possible person for the job. Investigators are expensive, but they are worth the investment due to what they have to do. Your investment in your investigator will most likely make or break your case for you. Choose wisely.
