Calling in a private detective can be a strategic choice when you need specific information or when the situation requires particular expertise. However, it’s not something you do every day, and contacting a private detective can be complicated.
Here are the key steps to guide you through the process:
1. Find the right detective for the job
The first step is to find an interviewer who meets your specific needs. There are several options available to you:
- Customer reviews: Consult testimonials and online reviews on well-known sites such as Google, the Yellow Pages or forums to find out about other customers’ experiences. This will give you an idea of the quality of the services offered by the agency. But beware : as in every profession, there are fake reviews ! Google has recently cracked down on them, but they still exist.
- Advice and word of mouth: Word of mouth is a very reliable way of finding a competent detective. Ask people you know if they have already used the services of a professional investigator. In addition, certain professionals such as lawyers or notaries may have contacts in their address books of detectives with whom they have worked. Don’t hesitate to ask them.
- Specialisation: Depending on the nature of your request (private investigation, fraud, surveillance of minors, unfair competition, adultery, etc.), it is important to choose a detective who specialises in the field in question. A local professional can also be an asset for assignments in your region, but a detective specialising in a specific field will have more in-depth expertise.
2. Making contact
Once you have selected a detective or agency, the next step is to make contact. There are several ways of doing this:
- Website: Most private detectives have a website where you can find their contact information, their services, and sometimes even fill in a quote request form. This is often the first approach before discussing your request in more detail.
- By telephone: If you prefer a more direct discussion, you can call the detective or agency directly. This will allow you to ask your initial questions and gain a better understanding of the scope of their services.
- Face-to-face meeting: In some cases, the detective may suggest a face-to-face meeting. This can be useful to clarify certain details or to discuss an assignment in complete confidentiality. Some people feel more confident once they have met their contacts. So don’t hesitate to ask for a meeting with a private detective if it reassures you.
3. The administrative aspect
Before starting any investigation, the detective must check the legitimacy of the client’s request. This is an essential step in ensuring that the assignment complies with the law. Here’s what’s involved:
- Assessing legitimacy: The detective must first ensure that the assignment is legal. Some investigations may invade privacy or violate fundamental rights, which is illegal. It is therefore essential to ensure that the actions to be taken comply with current legislation.
- Discussion with the detective: During your interview, the detective will ask you questions to understand the situation in detail. He must gather enough information to guide the investigation correctly.
- Questionnaire and supporting documents: You may be asked to fill in a detailed questionnaire, and to provide supporting documents (documents, photos, etc.) to help the detective fully understand your approach and carry out the investigation in the best possible conditions.
- Deposit: Depending on the nature and duration of the assignment, a deposit may be required before the start of the investigation. This advance payment is often necessary to cover the initial costs of the investigation.
4. The survey
This is the key stage in the detective’s mission. Depending on the nature of the request, the investigation may take different forms:
- Field investigation: This involves physical surveillance, discreet observation, or even outdoor investigations to gather information or testimony. The detective may, for example, be required to keep an eye on a minor if parents have doubts about his or her association, shadow an employee suspected of working for a competitor, or check the schedule of a potentially unfaithful spouse.
- Administrative investigation: This may involve searching public databases, checking legal information or analysing documents. The aim is to gather information from official documents or other accessible sources.
- Mixed investigation: Some so-called ‘mixed’ investigations involve both fieldwork and administrative work, and therefore require a great deal of versatility on the part of the detective. This is why it is so important to call on true professionals who are capable of juggling the two perfectly.
The detective’s work is always carried out with rigour and discretion. The client is regularly informed of the progress of the assignment, whether it involves major discoveries or new leads. Fixed rates are generally adapted according to the complexity of the investigations and the time required to complete the assignment.
5. The investigation report
Once the investigation is complete, the detective delivers a detailed report to the client. This report is a complete summary of the investigations carried out and the results obtained. It must be both:
- Detailed: The report must give an exhaustive account of the facts found, the methods used and the information obtained. It may include photos, videos or other documents to support the results of the investigation.
- Circumstantiated: The detective must provide details of how the evidence was obtained and the veracity of the information.
- Usable in court: The report must be capable of being used as evidence in a court of law or within a legal framework. It is therefore important that it complies with all legal standards and is sufficiently rigorous to be admissible in court.
Calling in a private detective requires a well-structured approach to ensure the success of the assignment. From finding the right professional to delivering the final report, each stage must be carefully followed to ensure that the results are effective, legal and tailored to the client’s needs.
