Anyone who has been in the Private Detective business for a while can tell you, we get some interesting requests. I’ve had inquiries from people convinced someone is living in the basement, attic, out building, or even visiting while they are at work. We’ve had clients that stated that their car radio was being used as a listening device. We’ve even encountered a paranormal investigation request or two. If you can think of it, a private investigator has heard of 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).

When these issues and concerns with potential clients arise, 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 try to eliminate experiences I’ve had in similar cases, so I can listen intently to them. You see, I believe everyone I speak to. For many of our clients, what they are experiencing can be scary, it can be alienating. It can feel like no one out there believes your story. Katella takes the time to listen.

I fully believe that they believe in what they are experiencing. I never listen to them looking for reasons not to believe. When a client told me his ex-wife was a master manipulator operating at such a high level that she had gotten his children taken away, I believed him. I think it is a particular way of being for me that helps so I don’t cloud my understanding of my clients or their story. I will not let my personal ideals or beliefs interfere with being completely in touch with them. The proof will be in the work later 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. It’s not so much an investigation, it’s 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. Katella Investigations 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. 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. Because when I went through the series of Q&A with his family, I asked, “does he have a limp or any limitations  physically?” It was his purposeful walk that helped me locate him in a crowded city.

I believe this is the best initial investigation that I can do. Grabbing the retainer 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, they have something that sets them apart. Why not search for that? This process gives me a clear picture of the case I’m working as I begin.

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. At Katella Investigations, we are here to help.