Criminal Defense Investigations:

The police, and other agencies such as Child Protective Services, can be of great service to prosecutors when it comes to finding witnesses to a crime and to following the evidence to a suspect. However, there is often key evidence missing or witnesses that have not come forward.

A private investigator serves an important role in a criminal defense investigation by finding witnesses and evidence that will establish reasonable doubt – that will show the jury that there is reason to believe that the defendant is not actually responsible for committing the crime.

Once there is an understanding of the case in question, the private investigator will go over all of the materials that the defense team has received from the prosecutor. The private investigator will go through routine reports from the police, everyday paperwork as well as copies of evidence, photographs, phone messages and witness statements related to the case. The goal of this is to determine whether there are any inconsistencies from one witness to the next or between the conclusions drawn and the evidence.

In addition, a private investigator may re-visit the crime scene to see if there was anything that had been overlooked. He or she may also interview witnesses to see if their stories have changed or to verify that they do not have anything else that motivated their statements against the defendant.

Inconsistencies and ulterior motives that a private investigator discovers during the course of a criminal defense investigation may be able to be used as a part of the client's defense. Similarly, if during the course of the criminal defense investigation a private investigator discovers that there are other witnesses who had not come forward or evidence that was not considered previously, he or she can then look into these developments further.

During the course of a criminal defense investigation, a private investigator can help to ensure that an innocent client will not be found guilty – all without taking away from a defense attorney's busy schedule. In other words, bringing a private investigator into a criminal defense investigation, defense attorneys are able to focus on the court system while a private investigator conducts the investigation.

Family Law Investigations:

If you suspect a cheating spouse, a private investigator can investigate the situation for you using a variety of techniques to substantiate claims of infidelity. Some of the evidence collected can include photos, video, hotel bills, witness interrogations, recorded conversations, and computer files. In at-fault divorce states, a spouse who sues for divorce due to marital misconduct typically is awarded a greater portion of the marital property.

In no-fault divorce states, community property is to be divided evenly between husband and wife. In some cases, however, one spouse may attempt to hide assets to avoid splitting them. A Private Investigator can investigate finances and discover hidden assets such as private bank accounts, unreported income, travelers' checks, false payments, retirement accounts, and more. A divorce investigation may be necessary to prove that your spouse squandered marital property and should not be awarded half of what remains.

Not to be confused with a court-ordered child custody evaluation, in some cases one parent may hire an investigator to gather evidence to prove or disprove that a parent with custody is unfit. Conditions that might render a parent unfit include physical or mental abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism, and exposing children to danger or an unhealthy environment. An investigator may also gather evidence to prove or disprove allegations of inappropriate conduct by a party in a family law matter.

Once a child custody private eye has accumulated sufficient evidence, a parent can petition to care for the children.