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Some companies absolutely will not touch it, some companies specialize in it exclusively.
I work for both those companies.
I actually wanted to make this article about “Strange” reasons to hire a private investigator, then I realized what is a “normal” reason to hire a Private Investigator?
I always laugh when a Client calls me and says “Hey, got a strange case for you”. Even observing something common like an Insurance Fraud Claim is very odd. To see someone wearing a neck brace to court and ripping it off moments after they leave is about as normal as my job gets.
I will preface this list by saying I will do any kind of Surveillance, anytime, anywhere that I can.
With this, I’ve had the opportunity of working on all kinds of matters.
The following is just one aspect of a large spectrum of types of matters I deal with on a daily basis.
There are a number of factors that differ between this sort of work and others.
Here’s my top 5 list of Unique factors in Infidelity Cases;
1. Treating your Client with Empathy
If you're working for an Insurance Company and you find evidence of Fraud nobody is going to cry about it…besides maybe the Claimant. However, to find evidence of infidelity can be highly traumatic for the Client. This type of work is personal, this type of work is emotional and this type of work isn't for everybody.
It’s always good to take pride in your work. It’s always nice to give a damn. When it comes to matters as personal as this one, it’s especially important.
What might be just another day at the office for you or me, may be the end of someone’s life as they know it.
Within this, a tightrope walk exists. There’s no easy way to present facts and take care of someone’s feelings sometimes, but a little Empathy will go a long way.
2. Safety considerations for all involved
Most Investigations spend almost all of their time looking at the Subject. It’s very rare that you need worry about who the Client is, as the Client is often a person, group or principal company who are not associated with the Subject on an emotional level.
This is different. As such, it’s important to know who you’re dealing with, what they want and if what they’re telling you is true.
For this reason, start your investigation not with the Subject, but with the Client. Ask questions, particularly about any Court Ordered restrictions between the Subject and the Client.
If something is not right, walk away from the Client and the Job.
As with all jobs, Health and Safety is a relevant issue.
Things get hard with high levels of money, or high levels of emotion.
Infidelity cases often have both.
3. Managing expectations
It is important as a field Agent at any time to manage Client expectations based on what’s going on at that time.
When a client is stressed out, desperate or upset, judgement can be clouded.
An Agent may be asked to do things that unreasonable, dangerous, unnecessary or illegal.
These things may include but are not limited to;
Being too close to a Subject, Trespassing, Speeding, Talking with a Subject directly or giving the Client information that could lead to a physical confrontation.
It’s up to an Agent to manage those requests an expectations in accordance with all relevant legislation, laws, as well as their own comfort levels.
Whilst some requests or expectations may not be against the law, it could create a dangerous situation.
4. The Lose Lose Situation
Normally, achieving a result for a Client is a good thing.
A Client is not likely to be happy after this job is done regardless of the outcome.
In this world, achieving the goal of proving Infidelity is quite the opposite.
On the other hand, doing 20 hours of Surveillance to find out the Subject was doing nothing wrong can feel like a huge waste of money!
5. Instruction detail
To this very day with all the modern technology we have, I still get instructions with nothing but a few vague paragraphs coupled with a picture that looks like someone photo copied a fax in 1997 and then someone else spilt coffee on it.
In the case of Infidelity, the Subject will be known to the Client on a very intimate level. That being said the Intel given is going to be accurate and detailed. Generally speaking, the desktop investigation is brief, as most things can be provided within the instructions or Record of Request.
It’s likely you’re going to know the persons habits, what they drive, where they work, where they are likely to go. Key details that without knowing the person Intimately, would be not possible without hours – if not days of Surveillance beforehand.
It’s very common for an infidelity job to start and to have action within 30 minutes after arrival. The Client is Generally going to know what time they finish work or leave the house. Other jobs it’s anyone’s guess. It could be 10 hours; it could be 10 minutes.
That being said Infidelity jobs require a high level of preparation and awareness.
Think of the places you could end up when dating someone new that you’re trying to impress and you’ll realize it could be a lot of places. As an Agent, it’s important to be prepared for anything from a nice restaurant in the city to a scenic 3 hour bushwalk.
Having the wrong attire for either could mean the end of the job.
Summary
This type of work is fast paced, it’s exciting, it’s high stakes, it’s emotional. It can also be looked at as a dirty game.
The Private Investigation world is fuelled by 3 things in my opinion. Lying, Cheating and Stealing.
As long as people are engaging in one of those things, the industry will exist and I will have a job.