Raising standards, inspiring trust…and lobbying for change

Find an Approved Investigator - or - Find out more about ABI

If you need an investigator, you can feel safe hiring one of our members. Let us help you find the right ABI member for your assignment.

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We’re a recognised and respected industry body. Since 1913, we’ve been training and vetting members by our own code of professional standards. Performing due diligence. Lobbying for regulation. And, we hope, changing public perception, by acting with integrity.

What does this mean to you?

If you need an investigator, you can feel safe hiring one of our members.

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If you’re a professional, you have support. A voice. And a badge of credibility.

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If looking to nominate a professional for one of the ABI prestigious awards. 

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  • General Investigations
    Finding the right investigator can be a worry. Will they be reputable? Competent? Can you trust them with such an important task? Will there be delays? Will they breach confidence? This category includes numerous services. Click the link to the left to read more.
    There are many examples of private investigators dealing in people's personal information. It's therefore important in our view that we should make sure that all private investigators are registered so that there is robust regulation
    Chair of the Parliamentary Home Affairs Select Committee (July 2013)
  • Fraud Investigations
    Fraudsters often claim that no-one really gets hurt. You’ve heard the story – “everyone just pays another penny on their insurance policy”. It’s an odd way of justifying a serious, and dangerous, crime. More...
    It is vital we have proper regulation of private investigators to ensure rigorous standards in this sector and the respect of individuals’ rights to privacy"
    Theresa May
    31st May 2013
  • Process Serving
    If you’re a government body, the legal profession or a private company, you need to act efficiently. You need a reliable partner for process serving and litigation matters. You need someone with specialist experience. Someone qualified and trained. And someone whose background has been rigorously – independently - checked. More...
    You only outsource services when they are satisfied that the provider has taken all appropriate steps to ensure that clients' confidential information will be protected.
    The Solicitors Regulation Authority Code
    • IB (4.3)
  • Road Traffic Accidents & Collisions
    Road traffic accidents are not always black and white. You know that drivers will argue over blame. Witness accounts can vary. And traffic cameras won’t always shed light on the situation. More...
    There are many examples of private investigators dealing in people's personal information. It's therefore important in our view that we should make sure that all private investigators are registered so that there is robust regulation
    Chair of the Parliamentary Home Affairs Select Committee (July 2013)
  • Specialist & Forensic Services
    Finding the right forensic services investigator is vital. ABI has done the vetting for you, with a Members Database of trained and reliable professionals. More...
    It is vital we have proper regulation of private investigators to ensure rigorous standards in this sector and the respect of individuals’ rights to privacy"
    Theresa May
    31st May 2013
  • Surveillance
    Need help with surveillance? Whether you’re investigating personal theft or suspected infidelity, ABI will help you find an experienced, reliable partner. More...
    There are many examples of private investigators dealing in people's personal information. It's therefore important in our view that we should make sure that all private investigators are registered so that there is robust regulation
    Chair of the Parliamentary Home Affairs Select Committee (July 2013)
  • Tracing & Status Reports
    Tracing people calls for persistence, tact and diplomacy. ABI will help you find a specialist investigator with the vital skills and qualities. This category includes services such as Asset Tracing, Background Enquires and Vetting, Beneficiaries, Debtor, Tracing, Family History, Pre-sue Enquiries, Witnesses....Click the link to the left to read more.
    You only outsource services only when they are satisfied that the provider has taken all appropriate steps to ensure that clients' confidential information will be protected.
    The Solicitors Regulation Authority Code
    • IB (4.3)
  • Undercover Investigations
    An undercover detective can get closer to the truth than a security system or CCTV camera. Staying within the law, they can uncover the evidence you need. More...
    There are many examples of private investigators dealing in people's personal information. It's therefore important in our view that we should make sure that all private investigators are registered so that there is robust regulation
    Chair of the Parliamentary Home Affairs Select Committee (July 2013)
  • Vehicle Investigations
    Investigations Involving Vehicles Professional vehicle Examination and official DVLA data access. In this day of ultra fast communications and travel, vehicles of some kind will invariably play a part in crime or other incidents. There are many legal…
    It is vital we have proper regulation of private investigators to ensure rigorous standards in this sector and the respect of individuals’ rights to privacy"
    Theresa May
    31st July 2013
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ("UAV" - drone assisted surveillance)
    Unmanned aerial vehicle (an aircraft piloted by remote control or onboard computers). The ABI service providers require as a minimum the following: 1. Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – this shoul…
  • Matrimonial Financial
    Matrimonial finances investigation typically refers to the process of investigating the financial affairs of a couple who are either getting divorced, separated, or going through some other form of legal dispute over their finances. The purpose of th…
  • Brand Protection / Intellectual Property
    INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) investigations and anti-counterfeiting fall within this category. Many major brands throughout the world have counterfeit problems with the merchandise / products they manufacture, which is very much a growing busi…
  • Criminal Defence
    Criminal defence investigation is a process that takes place in the United Kingdom when someone is accused of a crime and needs to defend themselves in court. In criminal defence investigations, a team of investigators, usually hired by the defendant…
  • Open Source Intelligence
    Open source intelligence (OSINT) is an essential tool for conducting investigations and gathering information in the digital age. OSINT refers to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information from publicly available sources. These source…
  • Electronic Counter Measures (debugging)
    ELECTRONIC COUNTER MEASURES (ECM) (debugging).  Just about anybody can be the target of so called bugging or covert eavesdropping, some people are at greater risk than others for a number of reasons mainly because of their work, legal reasons [civil…
  • Genealogy
    Commercial genealogists in the UK are professionals who specialise in researching family histories for clients. They use a variety of sources to trace ancestral roots and build family trees, including census records, birth, marriage, and death record…
  • Due Diligence
    In the United Kingdom, due diligence research often entails a thorough analysis of a firm or individual before entering into a business deal or investment.Due diligence is used to identify and evaluate any potential risks or obligations involved with…
  • Pre Sue / Status Enquires
    Covert pre-sue financial status investigations, also known as pre-litigation financial investigations, are a valuable tool for individuals and businesses in the UK who are considering legal action but want to assess the financial viability of a poten…

The ABI has campaigned tirelessly for regulation in our profession but in the absence of statutory regulation the ABI alone offers the public the protection from poor practice by the promotion of excellence, integrity and professionalism within its membership.

The ABI has become the kite mark of the investigation industry. Insist your investigator is an ABI member.

The types of work that professional investigators undertake have been divided into 9 specialist categories, please click on each category to the left to find our more.

Not sure which category of investigative specialist you need? This chart might help 

Luck Is What Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity
Seneca
Roman philosopher

Working with the Law Society

The ABI is the only association in this industry to be recognised by the Law Society of England and Wales.

The highest independent professional body for solicitors put their trust in us. We’re confident you can do the same.

The ABI other partners also recognise the value of affiliation to the principal professional body in the investigation and litigation support sector:

COURTSDESK SEARCHER is an on-demand search for court cases, or parties involved in court cases, in England and Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/membership/offers/abi
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