Every investigation carried out by a decent PI starts with the same question: how do you find reliable evidence for the task at hand?
The answer depends entirely on the circumstances. A private investigator might need to observe someone’s activities, trace a missing person, carry out detailed background research or piece together information from multiple sources. In many cases, it’s a combination of techniques that produces the clearest picture.
Here are some of the most common methods private investigators use to gather evidence.
Surveillance
Surveillance is probably the first thing most people think of when they hear the words “private investigator”. While it isn’t the answer to every case, it can be one of the most effective ways of establishing what’s really going on.
It involves discreetly observing a person or location through surveillance investigations to understand their activities over a period of time. This can help in cases involving suspected infidelity, cohabitation investigations, fraudulent insurance claims and benefit fraud.
Rather than relying on rumours or assumptions, surveillance provides evidence of what actually happened, giving clients a much clearer picture of the situation – and, if needed, giving the courts hard evidence of the facts to help them make suitable judgements.
Open Source Research
Not every investigation involves leaving the office. In fact, some of the most useful information can be found through careful research using publicly available sources, a technique known as open source intelligence, or OSINT.
This can include everything from Companies House records and planning applications to news reports, social media and other information that’s freely available online. The skill isn’t simply finding the information. It’s knowing where to look, how to verify it and how to piece it together with other evidence.
Open source research can be used to establish timelines, identify links between people or businesses, support tracing enquiries, or form part of detailed background checks and due diligence.
Witness Enquiries
Sometimes, the best source of information is another person. Yes it can be more subjective, but often it’s still extremely valuable.
Witness enquiries involve speaking to people who may have seen something relevant or have information that helps build a clearer picture of what’s happened. Depending on the investigation, that could include neighbours, colleagues, local businesses or anyone else who may have useful knowledge.
It’s not about asking leading questions or drawing conclusions. Instead, it’s about gathering information from different sources and seeing how it fits alongside the rest of the evidence.
Maybe the enquiries are the evidence you need. Or maybe it leads to further research you can then do. Either way, useful.
Records and Database Searches
Many investigations involve checking information held in official records or specialist databases. While this work happens behind the scenes, it can often provide valuable evidence or point an investigation in the right direction.
Depending on the circumstances, these searches might help confirm an address, establish links between people or businesses, verify information that’s been provided or identify new lines of enquiry.
On their own, records and database searches don’t always tell the full story. But when they’re combined with other investigative methods, they can help build a much more complete picture.
Combining Different Methods
There’s never two investigations which play out the same way. And so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to gathering evidence.
Some cases can be progressed through research alone, while others may require surveillance, witness enquiries or a combination of different methods. What matters is understanding which techniques are most likely to provide the answers a client is looking for.
At EJM Investigations, we tailor every investigation to the circumstances of the case, using the most appropriate methods to gather reliable evidence as efficiently as possible.
If you need help gathering evidence for a private, corporate or legal matter, contact EJM Investigations today on 01772 334700. Our experienced team will discuss your situation in confidence and explain how we may be able to help.