Friday, September 16, 2011

Executive Protection

Training for Executive Protection is almost like buying a car. You spend hours shopping around looking for what you would like to have, the cost, the return on the investment, is it what you really need as a customer.

Just like buying that car - Training is across the board when it comes to schools, you have some that cost 10,000.00 to schools that offer training at 500.00.

What is important is the prospective student knowing what they really need, what is practical, how are they going to use the training, is it a tool to achieve an end in their field.

Because it costs 10,000.00 does it really provide what you need to advance your career, is it value added to you as the student.

Keep in mind that the Agent that spent 10,000.00 may be doing the same job that the Agent spent 500.00 on. Understand your capabilities, your budget, your expectations should be real and not so unattainable that you lose your desire to advance your career.

Does the school have a history of actual field time, not just "Trained and never applied his or her skill set", do they have real time experience about this very demanding work environment...or are they just a cookie cutter school that promotes being the biggest, meanest looking people they can find...




Sunday, August 7, 2011

Missing Persons

One of the most difficult assignments for any Investigator is searching and locating Missing Persons.

The main reason for this is the time that has passed from the time the subject is declared missing, noticed missing and or Law Enforcement has ceased with their immediate and active involvement with the case.

The guidelines for aggressive action from Law Enforcement can at times matter with the location and safe return, identification of reason for disappearance and or High Risk issues. Let me make it clear that Law Enforcement does an excellent job with the cases they have and are tasked to solve. The concern is that, depending on age and or circumstance, they may feel that it is a Civil Matter, the missing subject is mentally aware of his or her actions and their agency can not proceed any further.

This is where Investigative Solutions, LLC plays a critical part with a positive resolution of your case. Our office acts aggressively to locate the subject and identify any potential high risk concerns. It is extremely important that time be used to our advantage, meaning dont take too long to contact an Investigative Company to assist in the location and or safe return of the subject.

Time is critical, since the longer you wait to get a case started events are going to happen, the subject is moving away from the immediate area, the subject is forced to move to a second and or third location, making it harder for the investigator to follow up on leads.

Time is our worst enemy in cases such as this, immediate action, immediate aggressive investiagtive effort should be implemented.

Leads are fresh in the minds of any witness that is developed, data is fresh and not tainted, the subject is either wanting to be found or if they are attempting to disappear the leads will get cold quicker.

Remember, Immediate Action is critical and the reason for the subject disappearing is the key to solving and locating a subject that is MISSING.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Online Data Sources

Recently I have had the pleasure of speaking with some clients that had concerns about the online data sources available to them. They mentioned the usual 29.95 bargains that allowed them access to searches for a 3 month trial period, only to find out that the information was old and not usable, also the re occurring billing was not pleasant either.

It is extremely important that the client understand that some of these companies, due to local laws and even federal laws, cannot access and or have the ability to gather current, accurate and cost effective data. As a licensed Detective Agency, we go through a process to allow us - either as an end user, or secondary buyer - to provide data that the average person does not have access to. Its this ability that allows us to provide data that is current and usable. Also keep in mind that certain data, if collected incorrectly, can create legal concerns for the person (s) that gathered that data.

You will find the costs for this information is across the board with Detective Agencies, its a matter of economics. One Detective Agency is Compliant where another buys from a reseller, the cost is passed on to the consumer.

Keep in mind that we as a Profession have invested years to achieve the level of information accessibility that an individual does not have. Its only natural that with that level of experience the cost may reflect a substantial difference.

The data is only as good as the source, keep that in mind when you discuss your data needs with a prospective Detective Agency, dont waste money on data that is outdated, serves no purpose for your needs and listen to the investigator, you may not need that type of data after all....

Give us a call and let us advise you to the world of Real Time Data and the proper methods in which to obtain it.


Monday, January 24, 2011

Hiring A Private Investigator

Hiring a Private Investigator

What do you look for when hiring a Private Investigator?

1. Is the agency licensed & insured

a. Confirm their license and insurance

2. Does the agency have experience in your type of investigation

a. Ask questions about your case and get answers, don’t be intimidated by the investigator

b. Ask who the investigator will be that is assigned to your case, ask how much experience does he or she have with this type of case

3. Is the agency knowledgeable about investigative techniques as they apply to your case

a. How is the investigator going to approach your investigation

4. Does the agency (investigator) present a professional appearance

a. Does the investigator show up in a studded belt, hand cuffs, loud and boisterous, sweat pants, will he become the focus of litigation

b. Is the investigator going to represent your concerns in a serious and professional manner

5. Is the agency a member of any associations

a. State as well as National and International

6. How does the investigator conduct himself with you and understand this is how he may conduct himself with witnesses and or victims and subjects of an investigation

a. Investigative techniques can make or break the case, if you feel uncomfortable - imagine how a subject of interest may feel and not be willing to give information important to your case

7. Does the agency practice in your geographical area

8. Feel comfortable with your investigator, you should be able to discuss concerns and be able to contact them and feel comfortable knowing that they are working for you

a. If the investigator is difficult to discuss your case and doesn't listen, its ok to move on

9. Is the agency reachable – do they respond to your calls initially or are they hard to locate and get call backs

10. Is the Investigative Agency knowledgeable about the laws as they pertain to the investigation, true life cases are not like TV, they are very different when it comes to what an investigator can and or cannot do

11. Beware of guarantees of service - investigations can not and should never be guaranteed, there are too many variables that a good investigator has to deal with - look for an honest opinion and the fact that the investigator has years of experience - this will increase their ability of having your case being resolved with a positive conclusion

Honesty - Integrity - Professionalism - Experience - Dedication

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Counter - Surveillance (De-Bugging)

Counter-Surveillance or De-Bugging as it is called is a very skilled application with the use of multiple devices for optimum results. If a client needs or feels they have been compromised it is important to discuss those concerns at length and to identify what has made them aware. By discussing concerns and or specific breaches in their privacy, our investigator is able to asses the need or if the perceived need is factual.

As a leader in Counter-Surveillance applications, Investigative Solutions, LLC gathers information and proceeds with the equipment that is available for his mission.

This brings us to equipment, after years of providing this service I have yet to find one piece of equipment that can perform a complete and thorough sweep. Multiple devices for multiple locates (devices) is the best way to conduct this operation. With the availability of so many devices on the market today to invade a persons privacy, it is necessary for the investigator to be knowledgeable with all of the current equipment at his disposal. It would be great to have just one device to locate all of the potential devices in this day and time, however, it is impossible. From signatures of a device that is low in detection to a device that is ambient and not transmitting until commanded to do so, the Counter Surveillance must be applied with multiple devices to counter these concerns.

If you contact an Investigative agency for your concerns, ask them what equipment they use and how skilled they are at applying those devices. Do they have real time experience, are they knowledgeable about the laws that govern devices that are located, what do you do with those devices if they are discovered. If a device is located what is the plan of action that is available to you, the client. Never be afraid or intimidated to ask questions, it is an investment in your privacy and if illegal acts are being committed make sure you know what is available to you for resolution.

De-Bugging is an ever increasing concern and one that should be handled by professionals that have the equipment, the skills, and the experience to give you maximum results for your investment, but most importantly, your peace of mind.

Peace of mind is priceless, the cost should reflect the level of service that is provided..

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Divorce

When I am hired to gather information on an individual for divorce proceedings, it sometimes is very clear that the client is having second thoughts about the divorce.

There is a word that comes to mind that should be discussed with the client if that decision is made. I am not a marriage councilor or a therapist but from yrs of experience I have discovered that after all the data is collected, all the evidence is collected, the hrs of surveillance is presented, this one word is extremely powerful. That word is "Forgiveness" if you "Forgive" the acts of infidelity they must understand that the data, evidence, video, and all of the investigative information is no longer as strong as it was at the time of collection.

Your client should be advised as to the impact that decision is going to have on their investigation. Now, I am not saying that they shouldn't work things out, however I am saying advise your client about the data, advise them as to the process, educate them as much as possible, and finally advise them to speak with their attorney to make sure what the outcome of that decision can be.

I have had clients that have worked it out and have seen them years later doing great, I have had clients that made that same decision and have been at my office in a year wanting to start all over with a new investigation. But they were and are aware of the information collected and the use that it has. I have never had a client angry and or disappointed at me for not educating them and directing them as to the information usability and concerns.

Private Investigations is a great field and am proud to make sure clients understand the decision making process.

When an investigation of such a personal matter is involved, make sure they understand the process.