When not to hire a private investigator
Before instructing private investigation services, you should consider the reasons you’re hiring one and whether it will provide you with the outcome or solution you’re looking for. A private investigator provides a way to uncover facts, confirm suspicions or provide structured evidence, depending on your situation but it’s not always the right first step and won’t always alter the outcome of your case or situation. Considering the costs and the impact of the investigation on any conflict is essential to ensure you reach the right outcome.
At Dolos investigations, we want you to make an informed decision about whether to hire a private investigator or not. And sometimes that includes telling you when you don’t need our services. Here are just some of the reasons you might not need to hire a private investigator and what you can do instead.
When you don’t have an objective
A private investigation is a targeted investigation that needs a purpose. Before instructing a private investigator, you should be able to answer the following questions:
- What am I trying to achieve?
- Who is the evidence for?
- What decision with the information influence?
- What outcome do I want to achieve?
Just wanting to know the truth or looking for peace of mind isn’t enough to instruct a private investigator.
For example, if you’re in a relationship and you need evidence for divorce proceedings, surveillance can help but if you’re just looking for closure on the relationship, the investigation might provide you with information that you want, however, it won’t support your next steps.
A reputable investigator should help you to refine your objective before agreeing to proceed so that you’re able to gather the correct information to support your next steps.
When you’re acting from emotion
An investigation is usually started during emotional or stressful periods such as suspecting a cheating partner, fraud or family conflict. When something is causing emotional distress, you might want to solve the issue quickly but, in some cases, an investigation can exacerbate the issue or undermine your legal position.
Any evidence gathered during an investigation can give you the factual information you’re looking for but it won’t help you deal with the emotions around it. If the underlying issue involves communication, trust or mediation, a private investigator may not be able to resolve this.
In some cases, allowing for time for emotions to cool or seeking legal advice first can provide a better solution and outcome.
When internal processes haven’t been exhausted (in corporate settings)
If you have a conflict or problem within your business, a private investigation should complement formal processes, it shouldn’t replace them.
Before you instruct a private investigator, it might be better to consult HR processes, conduct an internal review or examine contractual breaches first. For example, absenteeism or productivity concerns may require performance management before surveillance.
If these processes then reveal issues such as misconduct, fraud or commercial risk then a private investigator is a great way to find and present evidence for the next steps.
When you’re expecting illegal or intrusive methods
It is legal to hire a professional investigator in the UK but we can only act within the law.
There are strict boundaries governing:
- Data access
- Surveillance conduct
- Use of tracking devices
- Recording of communications
- Entry onto private property
A private investigator will not be able to hack private communications, access bank records without authority or impersonate public officials. Gaining evidence unlawfully during an investigation is inadmissible and can leave you legally liable, affecting your case if it goes to court. If you’re looking for tactics that breach privacy or criminal law, an ethical private investigator should decline your instruction.
When the cost outweighs the benefits
A private investigation requires time and expertise to carry out which comes with high costs. Depending on your situation, it’s important to assess the cost of the private investigator against the outcome or benefits of the investigation. Think about whether the evidence gathered during the investigation justifies the expense.
For example, a relationship breakdown where no legal action is required may not require documented evidence or a historic issue with no continuing impact may not merit investigation.
Your investigation should be aligned with the level of risk, not your need to find information to help with curiosity or settling an emotional dispute.
When legal advice is required
In many disputes, you will need to seek legal advice so you know what type of evidence you need during a private investigation.
This is particularly important in:
- Divorce and family proceedings
- Civil litigation
- Employment disputes
- Shareholder disagreements
- Rent arrears
Instructing a solicitor before a private investigator will be able to advise you on the type of evidence that’s admissible, what proof you will require, how it should be documented and whether surveillance can strengthen or weaken your case.
Without legal context, an investigation can risk producing information that is technically accurate but doesn’t align with your case and can’t help you win your court case.
When the outcome will not change your decision
Before hiring a private investigator, it’s important to think about whether, even if the investigation confirms suspicion, will it change what you do next? Or, if it disproves your suspicion, will it change your next actions?
If you’ve already made a decision and know what you’re going to do, an investigation may provide you with information but it won’t change anything.
For example, you might have already decided to leave a relationship or any financial losses within your business might have been already absorbed and resolved.
It’s important that an investigation helps you to make an informed decision, not validate a decision you’ve already made.
When should you hire a private investigator?
Now you know when you don’t need to hire a private investigator, you might want to know which situations require one.
Usually a private investigation is necessary in the following situations:
- Ongoing financial loss or fraud
- Repeated misconduct which affects the stability of your business
- Insurance fraud concerns
- Risk to personal safety
- Safeguarding issues
- Due diligence before major financial commitments
- Locating individuals for legal purposes
- Gathering court-admissable evidence
For example, if you need to locate an individual for legal proceedings, our tracing services can provide a lawful solution that can help you reach your desired outcome.
In these scenarios, failing to act can increase the risk of increased financial loss or losing a court case so it’s important you have the evidence you need to prevent it from escalating. A lawfully conducted investigation can help to protect your assets, reputation and long-term outcomes.
At Dolos Investigations, we offer a free consultation, during which we work with you to clarify your objective, identify any legal implications of the investigation and advise you on your next steps. Sometimes, you may need to seek legal advice before instructing our services to ensure we help you gather the correct evidence.
Do you need a private investigator?
Hiring a private investigator should help to inform your decision or next steps in a range of situations or provide you with admissible evidence. The best investigations have a clear objective, are legally compliant and provide you with a desired outcome.
If you’re not sure whether a private investigation is the best step for your needs, we can offer a free consultation to help you understand how we can help you. Sometimes that means proceeding with our services and sometimes it means we point you towards the best first step for your needs. We’re here to help you make an informed decision that will provide you with the best outcome.
