Professional investigators carry out a wide range of investigations depending on their area of expertise and the nature of the case. Here are 20 typical investigation services conducted by members of the ABI professional investigators:
1. Background Checks:
Investigators perform thorough background checks on individuals or businesses to gather information about their personal history, criminal records, employment history, education, and financial background.
2. Surveillance:
Investigators conduct surveillance to monitor the activities and movements of individuals or groups. This can involve observing and documenting behaviour, taking photographs or videos, and gathering evidence to support a case.
3. Fraud Investigations:
Investigators specialise in investigating cases of fraud, including insurance fraud, financial fraud, identity theft, and corporate fraud. They gather evidence, interview witnesses, analyse financial records, and work closely with law enforcement agencies.
4. Missing Persons Investigations:
Investigators are often hired to locate missing persons, such as runaway teenagers, abducted children, or individuals who have disappeared under suspicious circumstances. They conduct interviews, search for leads, and collaborate with law enforcement when necessary.
5. Infidelity Investigations:
Professional investigators may be hired to investigate suspicions of infidelity in relationships. They may conduct surveillance, gather evidence of cheating, and provide reports to their clients.
6. Corporate Investigations:
Investigators assist businesses in uncovering internal fraud, embezzlement, intellectual property theft, and other misconduct within the organization. They may conduct interviews, examine financial records, analyse computer systems, and gather evidence for legal proceedings.
7. Intellectual Property Investigations:
Investigators specialising in intellectual property theft investigate cases involving trademark infringement, copyright violations, and trade secret theft. They gather evidence, conduct market research, and work with legal teams to protect the interests of their clients.
8. Insurance Investigations:
Investigators work with insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims, including fraudulent disability claims, property damage claims, or workers' compensation fraud. They gather evidence, interview claimants and witnesses, and provide detailed reports to the insurance company.
9. Legal Support:
Investigators assist lawyers in preparing cases for trial. They may locate and interview witnesses, gather evidence, analyse crime scenes, deliver formal documents on opposing parties and witnesses, and collaborate with forensic experts to build a strong defence or support a prosecution.
10. Due Diligence:
Investigators conduct due diligence investigations to assess the credibility, reputation, and financial condition of individuals or businesses before entering into contracts, partnerships, investments or prior to or during a dispute. They verify identities, review financial status, and provide comprehensive reports to their clients.
11. Cybercrime Investigations:
With the rise of digital crime, investigators specialising in cybercrime investigate computer hacking, data breaches, online fraud, and other cyber-related offenses. They use specialised tools and techniques to trace digital footprints, recover electronic evidence, and identify perpetrators.
12. Forensic Investigations:
Forensic investigators specialise in collecting and analysing physical evidence at crime scenes. They use techniques such as fingerprint analysis, DNA profiling, ballistics examination, and crime scene reconstruction to provide crucial evidence in criminal investigations. Whilst this area of investigation is usually limited to law enforcement, professional investigators are often called on to assist, such as in criminal defence work and cold case reviews.
13. Asset Investigations:
Investigators are often hired to locate hidden assets or investigate financial discrepancies in divorce cases, probate disputes, or cases involving debt recovery. They look into financial status, search for hidden accounts or property.
14. Workplace Investigations:
Investigators assist employers in investigating allegations of workplace misconduct, including harassment, discrimination, theft, or violations of company policies. They conduct interviews, gather evidence, and provide impartial reports to support disciplinary actions or legal proceedings.
15. Cold Case Investigations:
Investigators specialising in cold cases revisit unsolved crimes from the past. They re-examine evidence, interview witnesses, and employ new investigative techniques or technologies to shed light on unresolved cases and potentially bring perpetrators to justice or they can work for the defence in the review of a conviction.
16. Undercover Operations:
In certain cases, investigators may work undercover to gather evidence or infiltrate criminal organisations. They assume false identities, gather intelligence, and document criminal activities while maintaining their cover to protect their safety and the integrity of the investigation.
17. Due Diligence for Mergers and Acquisitions:
Investigators conduct comprehensive due diligence investigations for companies involved in mergers, acquisitions, or partnerships. They assess the financial stability, legal compliance, reputation, and potential risks associated with the target company to inform business decisions.
18. Intellectual Property Infringement Investigations:
Investigators specialising in intellectual property infringement investigate cases involving counterfeiting, piracy, and unauthorised use of trademarks, patents, or copyrights. They gather evidence, conduct market research, and work with legal teams to protect the intellectual property rights of their clients.
19. Matrimonial and Divorce Investigations:
Professional investigators assist individuals in divorce or child custody cases by gathering evidence related to infidelity, cohabitation, child neglect, or other factors that may impact the legal proceedings. They conduct surveillance, interview witnesses, and provide documentation to support their client's case.
20. Public Records and Database Research:
Investigators extensively search public records, databases, and online sources to gather information relevant to a case. This can include researching property records, court records, business registrations, social media profiles, and other publicly available information.
These are just a few examples of the investigations carried out by professional investigators. The field of investigation is diverse and can vary depending on the specific expertise of the investigator and the needs of the client or case.
