Top Ten Tips for Choosing an Investigator
Contact attorney colleagues from your area of practice for a referral to a qualified investigator who they personally have retained on a regular basis.
Interview prospective investigators in advance, even if you don’t have a specific case ready for them to work. They will be happy to meet with you.
During the interview or even an informal get together at a coffee shop, be aware of their demeanor and ability to communicate effectively.
Assess the investigator’s ability to deal with a wide range of people and to quickly develop rapport.
Ask specific questions of the prospective investigator such as how they have assisted attorneys in specific cases (while being aware of their confidentiality requirements).
Don’t retain an investigator solely on former law enforcement credentials; some are excellent investigators in the private sector, but others may intimidate witnesses by their demeanor. Judge them accordingly.
Forget the male stereotype, there are many excellent female investigators fully capable of assisting you.
Creativity is paramount. Look for a self-starter who can think on his/her own and offer suggestions based upon your active direction.
Be direct when asking about fees and costs. Most private investigators who provide litigation support services charge an hourly fee plus mileage, database and public record fees as well as travel related costs, if applicable.
Ask the prospective investigator about his/her professional certifications, if any and continuing education. Investigators holding professional certifications often require Continuing Education Credits which are important to stay up to date.
Copyright © 2017 Brian P. McGuinness
Brian P. McGuinness of McGuinness & Associates, Inc. is a Miami, FL based investigator specializing in litigation support on civil and criminal cases. He also specializes in locating witnesses/skip tracing nationwide. He was a contributing author in A Manual of Private Investigation Techniques, Developing Sophisticated Investigative Skills to Meet Modern Challenges published in 2013 by Charles C. Thomas Publishing, LTD. He authored the chapter entitled “Basic to Advanced Skip Tracing.” His agency websites are www.fraudexaminer.com and www.eskiptrace.com