What does a private investigator do?

Private investigators (PIs), sometimes called private detectives, are licensed professionals hired to uncover facts, conduct surveillance, and analyze information for personal, legal, or business matters. While pop culture often portrays them tracking cheating spouses or solving dramatic criminal cases, real-world private investigations are far more varied. PIs discreetly gather information to support legal investigations, verify insurance claims, uncover corporate fraud, and even help reunite families. Whether assisting law firms, insurance companies, or private citizens, their mission remains the same: to uncover the truth through ethical, legal means.

Private investigators apply a unique set of skills across a wide range of sensitive cases. In the sections below, we’ll explore what PIs are legally allowed to do, what limits they must respect, who typically hires them, and what you should know before hiring one yourself.

Things private investigators can do

Private investigators aren’t just people with trench coats and binoculars — they’re licensed professionals trained to gather information, verify facts, and observe human behavior without drawing attention to themselves. Whether working for private citizens, law firms, or insurance companies, their goal remains the same: uncover the truth while operating strictly within the bounds of the law.

Below are some of the most common tasks a private investigator can legally perform:

Surveillance and Monitoring

Surveillance is one of the best-known — and most misunderstood — aspects of a PI’s work. It goes far beyond simply "tailing" someone. Professional surveillance often involves discreet use of recording devices, detailed observation logs, and time-stamped photo or video evidence that can later be used in court.

Private investigators conduct surveillance in a wide range of cases, including:

• Suspected infidelity
• Child custody disputes
• Workers' compensation fraud
• Corporate espionage
• Property damage investigations

For example, if a claimant reports a back injury but is later observed lifting heavy boxes, a surveillance report can become a key piece of evidence in legal proceedings.

Important: PIs must adhere to all local laws. They cannot trespass, install unauthorized tracking devices, or violate privacy rights. When done legally and ethically, however, surveillance is one of the most powerful tools in a PI’s arsenal.

Background Checks and Public Records Investigation

Background investigations are among the most requested private investigation services. Clients often include:

• Employers vetting potential hires
• Landlords screening tenants
• Individuals verifying new personal or business relationships

Professional investigators go far beyond surface-level internet searches. They retrieve and verify:

• Criminal records
• Court filings and civil judgments
• Financial records, including bankruptcies
• Phone records and social media accounts

Many investigators utilize government-run databases, like those maintained by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, ensuring the information is credible and legally obtained. Background investigations can be particularly critical in high-stakes matters like custody battles or employment screenings.

Locating People (Missing Persons and Skip Tracing)

Private investigators are often called upon when someone goes missing — whether a runaway teenager, an estranged family member, or a debtor trying to evade collection.

Skip tracing involves:

• Researching public databases
• Interviewing known associates
• Tracking online activity
• Following leads overlooked by others

Unlike police, whose resources are often limited to criminal cases, private investigators dedicate the time and resources needed to find missing persons. The process, sometimes called “skip tracing,” involves combing databases, talking to known associates, and tracking movements through online or offline records.

Tools like the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) help investigators consolidate leads in these sensitive cases.

While they don’t have access to the same thing as law enforcement agencies, experienced investigators often find leads others have missed, especially when a case has gone cold.

Legal Case Support and Civil Investigations

Many law firms work closely with private investigators to build stronger cases. PIs assist legal teams by:

• Locating and interviewing witnesses
• Documenting accident scenes
• Verifying witness statements
• Reconstructing event timelines

In criminal defense cases, investigators may uncover exculpatory evidence that challenges the prosecution’s narrative. In civil litigation, professional surveillance reports or background investigations can dramatically shift the outcome.

Importantly, all evidence collected must meet courtroom standards to be admissible. Experienced PIs understand chain-of-custody protocols and legal evidentiary requirements — a critical advantage for any legal team.

Insurance Investigations and Fraud Detection

Insurance fraud costs billions of dollars annually. Insurers frequently hire private investigators to uncover:

• Exaggerated injury claims
• Staged accidents
• Arson for profit
• Repeated fraudulent insurance claims

Private detectives use surveillance, background checks, site inspections, and interviews to build a case. Sometimes, they are called in to interview witnesses. They may consult industry-specific databases maintained by organizations like the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a leading authority on insurance fraud prevention.

Effective insurance investigations save companies money and protect honest claimants from unnecessary scrutiny.

Undercover Investigations and Workplace Monitoring

In corporate environments, private investigators are sometimes deployed undercover to monitor:

• Employee theft
• Policy violations
• Harassment claims
• Compliance breaches

Working discreetly as employees or contractors, PIs observe firsthand behaviors that traditional audits or HR investigations might miss. Their findings often form the basis for disciplinary actions, legal proceedings, or internal reforms.

Expert investigators follow ethical guidelines, steering clear of entrapment and documenting all observations carefully to withstand legal review.

What private investigators cannot do

Despite the tools, training, and resources available to them, private investigators must operate within strict legal and ethical boundaries. A common misconception — fueled by movies and television — is that PIs function above the law. In reality, professional investigators are subject to the same rules as any private citizen, with serious consequences for overstepping their authority.

Below is a breakdown of actions private investigators legally cannot perform, no matter the case or the client’s wishes:

They Cannot Arrest Anyone

Private investigators are not law enforcement officers.
They cannot:

• Make arrests
• Issue warrants
• Detain individuals

If a PI witnesses criminal activity, their role is to document and report the incident to the proper authorities — not to intervene.

Many experienced investigators are former police officers, which gives them insight into proper case handling. However, even for individuals with professional experience in law enforcement, the law is clear: they have no authority to act as enforcers.

They Can’t Wiretap Phones or Hack Devices

Accessing someone’s private communications without consent violates multiple federal and state laws, including the Wiretap Act under Title III.

Private investigators cannot legally:

• Tap phone lines
• Hack voicemails
• Install spyware on phones, computers, or tablets

They can, however, examine phone records or text logs if they are legally obtained, for instance, through a subpoena in a divorce case or when provided voluntarily by a consenting party.

They Cannot Trespass or Break Into Private Property

Private investigators are bound by trespassing laws just like everyone else. They cannot:

• Enter private homes or businesses without consent
• Install surveillance equipment in private areas (e.g., bedrooms, bathrooms)
• Cross property lines unlawfully

Surveillance must be conducted from public spaces or locations where they have legal access, such as a client’s property. For example, they might conduct surveillance from a parked vehicle on a public road or through a camera placed (legally) on a client’s property line.

Evidence gathered through illegal entry is not only inadmissible — it can jeopardize their PI license and the client's case.

They Can’t Access Protected Records Without Consent

While PIs excel at uncovering information from public records, they cannot access certain protected documents without proper authorization, including:

• Medical records (protected by HIPAA laws)
• Tax returns
• Sealed court records
• Credit reports (protected under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA))

Attempting to obtain this information without consent can result in serious civil and criminal penalties.

In background checks, for instance, investigators might be able to pull civil court judgments or bankruptcy filings, but they can't just open someone’s private financial files without consent or legal backing. Accessing such information without permission can lead to serious civil and criminal penalties.

They Cannot Impersonate Law Enforcement or Government Officials

It is a criminal offense for private investigators to pose as:

• Police officers
• Federal agents
• Government employees

Professional investigators must make their role clear and never flash fake badges, wear misleading uniforms, or suggest they have law enforcement authority.
Maintaining trust and credibility depends on full transparency.

They Can’t Tamper with Evidence or Witnesses

Private investigators are legally obligated to document facts exactly as they find them. They cannot:

• Alter evidence
• Coerce or manipulate witnesses
• Stage events or create misleading reports

Tampering with evidence can lead to case dismissals, civil lawsuits, criminal charges, and permanent license revocation.

Trying to coerce a witness statement, deleting digital evidence, or staging a photo can lead to the dismissal of a case — and, in some states, revocation of the PI’s license under state investigative ethics laws.

Ethical investigators know their role is to discover the truth — not manufacture it.

Who hires private investigators?

The idea that only suspicious spouses or criminal defense attorneys hire private investigators is outdated. Today, private detectives work across a wide range of industries and serve many types of clients — from large corporations to individuals seeking peace of mind.

What these clients have in common isn’t the type of problem they’re facing — it’s the need for discreet, reliable, and legally obtained information.

Here’s a closer look at the most common types of clients who rely on professional investigative services:

Private Citizens

Private individuals often hire investigators to assist with highly sensitive personal matters — situations they may not feel comfortable taking directly to law enforcement.

Common reasons private citizens seek help from a PI include:

• Gathering evidence of adultery for divorce proceedings
• Investigating potential stalkers or harassment cases
• Locating missing family members or a runaway child
• Documenting behavior for child custody disputes

In family law cases, for example, a private investigator’s documentation — such as verified observations of neglectful parenting — can significantly impact court decisions.
Investigators often consult state resources like ChildWelfare.gov to align their findings with child welfare standards.

For many individuals, hiring a PI isn’t about "spying" — it's about protecting loved ones, safeguarding assets, or gaining clarity when the stakes are high.

Law Firms and Legal Professionals

Attorneys across multiple practice areas — from criminal defense to civil litigation — frequently engage private investigators to strengthen their cases.

PIs assist legal teams by:

• Locating difficult-to-find witnesses
• Verifying witness credibility
• Reconstructing accident scenes
• Performing deep background investigations
• Gathering surveillance evidence admissible in court

Because evidence must meet strict standards for chain of custody and admissibility, law firms typically work only with highly trained, licensed investigators who understand how to follow a proper investigation process. Many legal investigators reference resources from the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) to ensure compliance with jurisdiction-specific evidentiary rules and legal scrutiny.

The right investigator can be a game-changer, helping attorneys prepare airtight cases or uncover critical information overlooked by opposing counsel.

Insurance Companies

Insurance fraud is a major industry challenge, costing billions of dollars annually. Insurance companies rely on private detectives to identify and document suspicious claims, such as:

• Faked injuries
• Staged accidents
• Arson for insurance payouts
• Repetitive fraudulent filings

Investigators may conduct:

• Surveillance of claimants
• Field interviews
• Background research on prior claims history
• Site inspections and evidence collection

Resources from organizations like the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) often guide investigative best practices.

Effective insurance investigations protect both companies and honest policyholders, ensuring that claims payouts are fair and based on verified facts.

Businesses and Corporations

Corporations — large and small — often hire a private detective agency to protect internal operations and intellectual property.

Common corporate investigations include:

• Employee misconduct (e.g., theft, harassment, policy violations)
• Fraud detection and prevention
• Corporate espionage investigations
• Intellectual property theft
• Pre-employment background screenings

Investigators may also perform undercover operations, posing as employees or vendors to gather firsthand observations of misconduct. An undercover investigation often reveals information that can't be caught on camera.

For companies handling sensitive information, investigators may work alongside cybersecurity experts and follow guidelines from sources like NIST.gov to ensure compliance with security best practices.

By proactively investigating internal risks, companies can reduce liability, improve workplace culture, and prevent small problems from turning into major financial or reputational losses.

How do I find a private investigator to hire?

Hiring a private investigator isn’t as simple as picking a name off a list. Whether you’re handling a personal matter, a criminal investigation, or managing a corporate investigation, the investigator you choose can directly impact the outcome.

While a quick online search may turn up dozens of options, only a few will be properly licensed, experienced, and professional enough to deliver discreet, lawful results.

Here’s how to navigate the hiring process — and how to select the right investigator for your needs:

Check Licensing and State Requirements

Every U.S. state — except for a few limited exemptions — requires private investigators to be licensed. Licensing ensures that an investigator has:

• Passed a background check
• Completed the minimum requirements for experience or education
• Been vetted to perform investigative work legally and ethically

For example, in California, a PI must complete 6,000 hours of investigative experience or an approved educational program, then pass a rigorous state examination.
Other states, like New York and Virginia, have similar stringent licensing requirements managed by their regulatory agencies, such as the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) and Virginia DCJS.

Tip:
Always verify a professional license through your state’s official database before signing a contract. A reputable investigator should provide their license number without hesitation.

Evaluate Specializations and Experience

Private investigation covers a wide spectrum of specialties, including:

• Domestic investigations (e.g., infidelity, child custody)
• Corporate investigations (e.g., employee misconduct, fraud, witness interviews)
• Insurance fraud detection
• Criminal defense support
• Missing persons and skip tracing

When interviewing potential investigators, ask about their case experience — and whether they specialize in the type of work you require.

Be cautious of anyone claiming they can "handle anything." The best private investigators know their niche and can clearly explain why their expertise aligns with your needs.

Ask for Sample Reports or Redacted Cases

A trustworthy investigator should be able to show examples of:

• Redacted surveillance reports
• Court-admissible documentation
• Anonymized case summaries

Reviewing these samples helps you assess the investigator’s professionalism, attention to detail, and reporting style.

If they’ve worked with law firms or insurance companies, they may also be able to provide references or testimonials — another strong indicator of credibility.

What you want is clear, unbiased documentation. Avoid anyone who uses vague promises instead of evidence-backed reporting.

Verify Reviews and Reputation

Before making your final decision, research the investigator’s reputation:

• Check verified third-party reviews
• Look for any disciplinary actions or lawsuits
• Ask for professional references, if possible

You can also check professional associations like the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI) for a directory of vetted, certified PIs who meet high ethical and performance standards.

A strong professional reputation is a key signal that you’re working with someone who values legal compliance, discretion, and client trust.

Set Clear Expectations Up Front

Before the investigation begins, a professional private investigation agency should provide a clear, written agreement outlining:

• The scope of work
• Surveillance or investigation hours included
• Estimated costs and payment schedules
• Reporting timelines
• Legal limitations and ethical boundaries

You should understand exactly what the investigator will (and will not) do, and the scope of their private investigator services.

At Davis & Forest Investigative Group, for example, we believe that clear communication from the start protects both the client and the integrity of the investigation.

Good investigators prioritize transparency, discretion, and accountability — ensuring there are no surprises as the case progresses.

The role private investigators continue to play

In an era defined by information overload, private investigators remain vital allies for individuals, businesses, and legal professionals who need the truth — not speculation.

Licensed investigators navigate sensitive situations with discretion, uncover facts that may otherwise go unnoticed, and provide clear, admissible evidence that drives informed decisions. Whether conducting surveillance in a child custody case, verifying insurance claims, or investigating corporate misconduct, private investigators serve as objective fact-finders when clarity is most needed.

Importantly, professional investigators operate within strict legal and ethical boundaries. They do not impersonate law enforcement, trespass onto private property, hack into devices, or tamper with evidence. Their strength lies in using lawful methods to discreetly gather information, preserve chain of custody, and present findings that stand up to scrutiny.

The best private investigators combine:

• Extensive training and field experience
• State-issued licensing and regulatory compliance
• Ongoing education to stay current with investigative best practices
• A firm commitment to integrity and client trust

At Davis & Forest Investigative Group, we believe that experience matters — but so does professionalism, ethics, and discretion. Our team, grounded in law enforcement expertise and private sector investigation, is committed to delivering reliable, actionable results for every client.

If you’re considering hiring a private investigator, take the time to verify credentials, ask the right questions, and choose a partner who respects both your goals and the law.
When the truth matters, experience — and integrity — make all the difference.