Case Prep

Anyone who has been in the Private Detective business for a while can tell you that from time to time, you will come across some very interesting requests. I have had inquiries from people who believe someone is living in their basement, attic, out building, or even visiting when they are at work. We have had clients that stated that their car radio was being used as a listening device and “spying” on them at regular intervals, that the interior lights we designed to randomly come on in order to agitate the owner.  If you think of it, a private investigator has heard it.

Brief side note, on the car radio...I discovered that the owner had the road noise canceling feature enabled, which allowed the volume to increase or decrease as did the speed of the vehicle. I kept half of the fee. (I did have time and travel).

In discussing these issues and concerns with potential clients I always go into the meeting with a clear head, I prepare myself by a brief mental detox. In other words, I set aside any prior notion that I may have that I know anything about their situation. I eliminate the experience I have had in similar requests or cases and listen intently to them. You see, I believe everyone I speak to. 

I believe that they believe in what they are experiencing. I never listen to them looking for any reason not to believe them. When a client told me that his ex-wife had been manipulating the system at such a high level in order to have his children taken away, I believed that she was doing this. I think that this particular way of being for me helps so that I don't cloud my understanding of my clients concerns and story.  I will not let my ideals or beliefs  interfere with being completely in touch with them. The proof will be in the work as to whether or not there is anything there.

All that being said, like many of my colleagues, I start a dossier on the client. Not so much as an investigation, more like a cheat sheet on them so I can better engage and respond to their needs. I interview them, rephrase questions, and drill down to see what the story is and/or any discrepancies they might have. The last thing I want to do is investigate an individual for someone with bad or illegal intentions. That won't work. My firm won't investigate 

ex boyfriends/girlfriends, former employers without a civil or criminal case pending that is being represented by counsel, persons whom they just met for the first date, and so on, you get the picture.

Once the initial consultation is done and we have made arrangements to proceed, this is when I get to the heart of it. I will go through an extensive Q&A with the client to get as much fact of the issue as I possibly can. In this part of the process, I may even question them a little tougher on what they are saying to me, again not to disprove them. Just so I have a very clear picture on the matter. They are or have lived it, they know every particle of it, I want that same understanding.

Previously I wrote about Steve, who had found himself stranded in Atlanta Ga. I was hired by his family to locate him, I went through a short direct list of things that would assist me. Height, weight, features, habits, marks/tattoos, disabilities, unique features, certain habits, music he liked and anything that would help zero in the focus. One of the items was his walk. Fast and with purpose. That may have been the single most important attribute. Because when I went through the series of Q&A with his family, I asked, “does he have a limp or any limitations  physically?”

I believe, for me anyway, this is the best initial investigation that I can do. Grabbing the retainer, loading my vehicle and running around accumulating intel as I think I need it, does not work for the success of my client. The upfront desktop work is essential to me.  The target/subject has a footprint of some sort. Why not search for that? That work proves to be extremely successful for when I hit the road. I have a clearer picture of what they do, where they like to go, who they spend time with, where they work, what they drive and the list goes on.

The best way I can be of service to our clients is to be informed, prepared and open to the situation the client is in. If I neglect one, the case can be placed in jeopardy.