Depending on the investigation that the private investigator will be engaged in and the results that can be expected, research will be in-depth or superficial. An in-depth inquiry may be necessary if the matter concerns something serious in nature or that which comes to light once the investigation begins. This will include the following:
A criminal case where the attorney for the defendant has hired you.
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A criminal case involving company personnel where such investigation could
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identify more than one perpetrator.
Where the outcome or conclusion of an investigation could affect the
corpo-◾
ration financially or criminally or cause public embarrassment.
A civil case where the litigation will involve exceptional monetary
compensa-◾
tion for the plaintiff or the defendant.
A death or serious injury or injuries to more than one person, or where
exten-◾
sive property damage occurs.
The initial investigation reveals information that:
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A high potential exists for a similar event to occur.
− More serious consequences could occur in the case of a similar event.
− Several people are criminally or civilly involved or contributed to the event.
− Risks of exposure, extortion, or coercion could be leveled or appear
− greater than previous estimates against the client/corporation that has hired you.
Additional technical examination and skills are required to analyze
cer-− tain records, hazards, methods, systems, or processes (certified public accountants [CPAs], document examiner, safety engineer, etc.).
A person or persons have been identified as superior in some way to the
− client who has hired you, or have high public or celebrity stature, which may require an immediate personal consultation with the client before continuing the investigation.
Discovery Procedure
Regard discovery as the primary and the most important part of any investiga-tion, inquiry, examinainvestiga-tion, research, study, or search. Although some of the terms noted herein are synonymous in meaning, they must all start with the initial processing of information, known facts, controlling factors, and intelligence par-ticular to the case.
Once hired and obligated to the client and during the primary interview, the private investigator should begin with indicators or underlying factors and, given the information at hand, attempt to be as specific as possible. This interview and sub-sequent discovery will include the identification of potential sources of information that will or may be of assistance depending on the investigation. Research can reveal a large quantity of information during and after the interview with only a portion that will be relevant to the case. However, the more important would be informants (in-house personnel or outside of the company), supervisory or managerial person-nel (involved or knowledgeable), company records, outside experts or consultants, service or technical departments of manufacturers, distributors, vendors, company accountants, and accounts payable/receivable clerks. Again, depending on the type of investigation, such inquiries may be evident and open or surreptitious in nature.
Company Records
Whether investigating an individual, a group of personnel, or some facet of the com-pany, records maintained by any company can be an ideal source of information. Some records are saved because of government regulations, fiscal requirements, or good busi-ness practices, but in any event, they all leave what is known as a paper trail.
Generally, the following records are kept by most, if not all, business establishments:
Company policies and procedures
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Training plans—types, instructions, materials, and schedules of personnel
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Safety meeting records, safety directives, personnel accident records, and
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damage to property records
Personnel and medical records—human resources may hamper or restrict
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your inspection of these records, but you do have the ability to inspect reports of injuries or sicknesses that occurred on the job (particularly worker’s com-pensation cases)
People or vehicle traffic patterns in or around the business premises
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Location and type of safety fixtures, warning systems, emergency systems,
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ventilation, heating and cooling systems, and so forth Analysis
Whether the case is an investigation into an incident such as an accident or injury, or a criminal affair involving a family, a friend, a colleague, or company personnel, a brief listing or checklist of as many facts as possible should be deemed as most important. Following that, a consideration should be given to each point of infor-mation received and analyzed.
Analysis is a systematic process in an effort to identify contributing factors, causes, reasons, effects, and possible correction or restitution, all in an attempt to close the case on a positive note:
Identify the event or incident by the use of Who, What, When, Where, Why,
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and in many instances, the most important, How. These are the basic ques-tions of any investigation or inquiry.
List each incident or fact separately and in order of its occurrence. This step
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will identify a time sequence and will be helpful when organizing a large quantity of information.
Examine each fact, and turn each into a question:
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Who reported and who discovered the incident? Who had a motive? Who
− did it? If others are involved, who helped in the commission of the crime or incident? Who saw or heard anything?
What happened? What crime was committed? What were the actions of
− the suspect or perpetrator? What weapons or tools were used? What evi-dence exists to support or refute claims of suspect? What do the witnesses know or what do they not know? What was the motive? What was the cause and effect? What was the particular modus operandi or implementa-tion used in this case?
When did the incident happen? When was it discovered and when was
− notification made and by whom? When was the victim last seen, by whom? When was the suspect located or perpetrator apprehended?
Where is the location of the incident? Where was the victim found?
− Where was the property of interest or the stolen property found? Where were the witnesses? Where was the evidence found? Where is the suspect now? Where was the suspect located or the perpetrator apprehended?
Why did this happen; why did this incident occur? Why or what was the
− reason it was done or committed?
How did the incident occur or come about? How was it completed (the
− modus operandi), and are there more than one person or factors involved?
How did the suspect arrive at the scene and leave the scene? How did the suspect obtain the tools or weapons? How does the client wish to pursue a prosecution? Does the client only wish termination and restitution? How much restitution can be realized? How can the company (or the institu-tion) correct or address the problem caused by this incident?