How to Choose a Professional Investigator

What should be considered when choosing a professional investigator?

• Licenses and Certifications

In most states, private investigators and/or their agencies must be licensed.  Effective June 01, 2015 licensing in Colorado is mandatory.  In Wyoming only the city of Cheyenne requires a license.

Like licensing, certifications require specific levels of education, training and experience.  Not all investigators carry special certifications; however, certifications are an indication of ability and professional standing that surpass licensing qualifications.

• Experience and Reputation

Ensure the agency and investigators have the education, training, skills and experience which are more likely to produce the results you expect and need.  This will also ensure that their work-product will stand up to the scrutiny of any legal challenge.

Subject Matter Expertise should be considered.  It is beneficial to seek and select investigators that have the respect and reputation amongst their peers to be selected to lecture, teach and author specifically on individual locates and related investigations.

• Reports and Affidavits

In general, and in consideration of disclosure and discovery issues, investigations should be concluded with a written report issued to the client detailing the findings.  In the event of further proceedings or legal challenge, the investigator must be willing to provide an affidavit detailing the process and investigative conclusions.  The willingness and ability to testify, as a fact witness or subject matter expert, should also be considered.

• Return on Investigation

All investigations are investments.  These must first be initially assessed by the client and investigator to determine, based upon their respective experiences, if the proposed assignment will likely be concluded with a positive Return on Investigation (ROI).  The ROI is the value of the investigation based upon the information provided, time and expenses, and results.

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The Quint-Essential Qualities of a Professional Investigator

Not all private investigators and legal investigators are the same.  There are five core principles that professional investigators universally possess and practice.

• Skills Appropriate for the Assignment 

Law firms and medical offices specialize - Professional Investigators also specialize.  Their casework and continuing education should also be in your specialized areas. 

• Experience and Knowledge 

Professional Investigators strive to maintain and further these. All professions have requirements of continuing education.  The CLI and CCDI programs each require extensive compliance with continuing education. 

• Responsible and Ethical Conduct 

Every component of the investigation has evidentiary considerations. Professional Investigators hold themselves to a higher standard and leaves no question as to the admissibility of their evidence.  Information without ethics is not evidence. 

• Effective Communication 
  

Professional Investigators maintain communication with the attorney, client, witnesses, and other key persons in the investigation.  Moreover, reports are the product of an organized investigation and should reflect the work product you expect. 

• Keyword - 'Professional' 
  

Honesty, Integrity & Intelligence.  These define Professional Investigators and gives you the confidence that your case is in competent and skilled hands. 

We thank you for considering our agency for your Expert Consultations and Legal Investigations in Personal Injury, Negligence & Death in Civil, Criminal and Probate litigation, with an emphasis on cases involving Death and Serious Bodily Injury. Please contact us for your free initial case evaluation!

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