| First, make sure the investigator you hire is | | | | investigator you hire is a member of a viable |
| licensed in the state where their business is | | | | professional investigators' association. In California, |
| located. Some states do not require a private | | | | the most well known, and largest association is |
| investigators' license. However, in California a | | | | the California Association of Licensed Investigators |
| license is required. I suggest prior to hiring a | | | | (CALI - cali-pi.org). It's also important that the |
| California private investigator, look up their license | | | | private investigator you hire maintains continuing |
| information at the State licensing bureau's website | | | | education. CALI has a Certified Professional |
| (bsis.ca.gov). This site tells you how long the | | | | Investigator program that requires 4 credits (24 |
| private investigator has been licensed, It also tells | | | | hours) of continuing education every two years. |
| you whether there has been any discipline against | | | | There are other questions people ask themselves |
| the investigator. | | | | before hiring a private investigator. The most |
| The next step is to find a private investigator | | | | common question is "Why can't I conduct my |
| who is right for your needs. For example, if you | | | | own investigation and save money?" There is an |
| have a situation where infidelity is the issue, then | | | | old saying, "He who represents himself has a fool |
| hire a surveillance specialist. Hiring an investigator | | | | for a client." This saying also applies to |
| who conducts bug sweeps and background | | | | investigation. There are many reasons not to |
| investigations is not the right investigator for that | | | | conduct your own detective work. Some |
| situation. | | | | examples are: You are bias when you do your |
| Make sure the firm you hire (if found on the web) | | | | own investigation; you cannot be objective; you |
| has a biography or "about us" section on their | | | | cannot be an independent witness if you are called |
| website. Many firms do not list the owner's name | | | | to testify. The most important reason not to |
| or anything about his or her background. I think | | | | conduct your own investigation is that you do not |
| it's very important to list biography information. It | | | | have the training or expertise to know what to |
| gives you an idea of what the investigator's | | | | look for, where to find the information and how |
| background is all about and whether he or she is | | | | to preserve the evidence or information. |
| qualified to handle your case. | | | | Good luck to you. |
| I believe it's important that the private | | | | |