Hiring a private investigator in Denver can be invaluable when you need discreet, professional investigative services. While you may be on the fence about bringing one into a sensitive personal matter, the expertise and capabilities they bring to the table make it well worth considering.
Below are the top 5 reasons you should hire a PI when you need investigative support:
1. Extensive Investigative Experience and Training
The number one reason to hire a detective in Denver is the vast investigative skills they possess. They often have years or decades of experience conducting investigations, surveillance, background checks, locating missing persons and more.
They are highly skilled in methods like:
- Surveillance (foot, vehicle, static)
- Undercover investigations
- Background checks
- Online investigations and intelligence gathering
- Interviewing and interrogation
- Research and record retrieval
- Financial investigations
- Missing persons investigations
- Infidelity and cheating investigations
Beyond hands-on experience, most have training in areas like criminal justice, forensics, evidence handling, self-defense, concealed weapons handling, and more. They understand all facets of investigations and undergo continuous skills training.
You get the benefit of all their expertise applied to your unique case. This can increase your chances of a successful outcome exponentially.
2. Access to Expansive Resources and Databases
Unlike the general public, private investigators have access to a variety of resources, tools, and databases. This includes subscription databases that contain hard-to-find records, contact information, criminal records, legal records, financial records, property records, and more.
Some examples include:
- Proprietary research databases like LexisNexis
- Federal and statewide criminal record databases
- Databases for locating people and tracing assets
- Public and non-public records at courthouses
- Public and non-public business records
- Databases of license plate numbers and vehicle records
- Online records and data sources requiring paid access
This allows them to gather evidence and make connections that individuals simply cannot on their own. They have more context, details, backstory and documentation at their fingertips.
3. Connections and Contacts
An experienced PI will have spent years cultivating connections and contacts who can assist with investigations. They know how to work with the network of informants, courthouse clerks, journalists, police officers, private citizens, witnesses and other sources who can provide key information for cases.
These provide advantages like:
- Getting insider tips witnesses may not share otherwise
- Accessing restricted documents or evidence
- Finding people who are hiding or missing
- Gathering eyewitness accounts from private citizens
- Understanding backstory that doesn’t appear in public records
They know how to work within both the public landscape and unseen networks to uncover facts. Their connections can be the difference between finding or not finding critical case evidence.
4. Confidential and Specialized Services
PIs provide confidentiality and operate according to strict professional ethics. As licensed professionals, they follow codes of ethics and are discreet in all client dealings.
You can depend on their assistance for sensitive matters like:
- Infidelity investigations
- Child custody cases
- Domestic cases
- Employee theft or fraud
- Workplace misconduct
- Insurance claims investigations
- Pre-trial investigations in lawsuits
- Vetting potential employees/partners
This provides individuals with assurance during stressful, emotional cases. They also remain impartial parties, which prevents personal feelings or biases from clouding the investigative work.
5. Legal Boundaries and Evidence Procedures
Investigators understand legal boundaries, admissibility of evidence, chain of custody procedures and court processes. They know how to lawfully gather evidence that can be used at trial or hearings if desired:
- Knowing how to lawfully conduct surveillance and stakeouts
- Gathering evidence legally that holds up in court
- Recording witness statements properly
- Collecting physical evidence without contaminating it
- Providing testimony as needed
- Understanding court rules regarding evidence
- Knowing how different courts handle private investigator evidence
- Maintaining meticulous notes that document procedures
This guarantees that the evidence and investigative work meets legal standards. They know investigations aren’t just about uncovering information, but doing so in a way that fits within ethical and legal bounds.
Choosing the Right Private Investigator in Denver
Once you decide to hire an investigator, make sure you vet them thoroughly first. When meeting with potential one’s, come prepared with questions that help you assess:
- Years of experience – Look for 5-10+ years minimum conducting investigations similar to yours. This demonstrates extensive expertise versus someone new to the field.
- Types of cases and clients – Ask about the types of cases and individuals the investigator has worked with. Look for relevant experience to your specific needs, whether that’s domestic cases, criminal defense investigations, business fraud investigations or other areas.
- Licensed in Colorado – Investigators in Colorado must hold a state license. Verify the license is current and valid through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
- Specializations or skills – Many investigators are experts in niches like computer forensics, financial investigations, or surveillance. Look for relevant specializations.
- Investigative approaches – Discern whether the investigator takes an aggressive or passive approach and determine what will best serve the case.
- References – Reputable investigators will provide references upon request from past clients and attorneys. Check references carefully.
- Memberships – Many belong to professional associations like the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado. Association membership indicates higher standards.
- Demeanor and communication – Assess communication skills and overall demeanor to ensure an investigator you’re comfortable working closely with.
By thoroughly vetting investigators in Denver beforehand, you can find the right fit for your case – whether that involves a domestic dispute, insurance claim, child custody matter or other sensitive issue. This helps ensure the best possible outcome.
When to Hire an Investigator vs. Handling Your Own Investigation
Given the costs involved, you may wonder whether to hire a professional or attempt to conduct your own investigation. There are certainly costs savings involved with a DIY approach.
However, there are also clear benefits to hiring an investigator. Consider assistance for cases involving:
- Sensitive, emotional situations – Matters involving stalking, infidelity, workplace harassment, custody disputes or more may require the impartiality of a third-party investigator you’re comfortable confiding in.
- Complex evidence gathering – Gathering technical evidence like electronic records, concealed data, phone and bank records or other paper trails often requires expertise and legal access.
- Legally-admissible evidence – Investigators understand legal standards for collecting evidence that can be used in court and hearings if desired.
- Significant time requirements – All of the surveillance, stakeouts, interviews, and record researching can be extremely time consuming. A trained investigator dedicates extensive time to the case.
- Specialist skills – Unique skills like computer forensics, financial investigations or specialty surveillance may necessitate hiring someone already experienced in those areas.
- Dangerous situations – Situations involving confronting cheaters, abusive partners, workplace criminals and others accused of wrongdoing may put an individual at risk if not handled professionally.
While cost is a factor, remember that a their experience, resources and skills can make the difference between a successful or unsuccessful outcome for sensitive, complex or even dangerous cases.
Questions to Ask During a Consultation
Before officially hiring a PI, have an initial consultation to ensure they are the right fit for your case. Some questions to ask include:
- What is your daily rate or overall estimated cost? What expenses or additional fees may arise?
- What is your experience with cases specifically like mine?
- Do you have specialty training or skills relevant to my case needs?
- What is your step-by-step process for a case like mine?
- How will you communicate updates and report findings to me? How often?
- Will you provide written reports of all evidence, notes, records and documentation?
- How long do you estimate this investigation will take?
- What are my options if I feel the investigation is not progressing well?
- Can you provide references from past clients and attorneys?
- Do you carry liability insurance to cover your investigative work?
By asking targeted questions, you can gain insight into their expertise, professionalism, costs, communication style and more. This allows you to determine if a particular investigator may be the right fit or if you need to keep looking for someone better suited.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a private investigator is a major decision that requires carefully weighing the costs and benefits. While you can certainly conduct your own investigation as an individual, the experience, resources, connections, and skills of a professional are often well worth the investment.
The next time you find yourself in need of discreet investigative services in Denver, whether for a sensitive family matter, employment issue, insurance claim, or any other reason, consider reaching out to a licensed professional. Take the time to thoroughly vet investigators ahead of time and align on costs, communication plans, timelines, and legal protocols.
With an experienced one that understands your unique needs, you can proceed forward with your case- even if it involves difficult situations, technical data, extensive surveillance, emotional factors or legal implications. Their expertise can uncover evidence and information that may otherwise go undiscovered.
Don’t hesitate to ask pressing questions during an initial consultation and compare options. The right investigator, like a trusted advisor, can help shed light on your situation and provide the closure and resolution you seek.
