If you have a problem that you believe may require the services of a private investigator, then it can often be hard to know what to look for. As private investigators can specialise in a variety of different types of investigations and may have varying degrees of experience and expertise within different areas, it can be difficult to navigate the world of private detective services and find the right investigative solution for you.
Here at OpSec Solutions we want you to be fully informed of your options, so you have complete confidence and peace of mind when it comes to choosing a private investigator. In this blog we will give you a definitive guide on the types of private investigations and what they can do for you.
Relationship & Matrimonial
It is never an easy decision to hire a private investigator to investigate a relationship, but this is one of the most common reasons behind the hiring of private detectives. In order to either get peace of mind or collect the evidence needed to prove infidelity or wrongdoing, relationship investigations need to be discreet and detailed. This usually requires undercover surveillance solutions as well as both technical and mobile surveillance.
A private investigator specialising in this type of investigation may often fit covert devices to reveal intimate conversations and interactions. However, it is important to note that private detectives can only act within the law and any steps they take will be in line with current and relevant regulations.
What can they investigate?
- Follow the suspect wherever they go, regardless of the mode of transport
- Provide a full report of their actions
- Take photographic and video evidence that highlights their movements
- Monitor their online accounts
- Check their calls and emails
- See how and where cars are being used using GPS Trackers
Tracing Persons & Assets
If you need to trace an individual or asset and don’t know where to start or have been frustrated by dead end leads, then you need to enlist the services of a private investigator, sometimes also known as tracing agents. This type of specialty is carried out by private investigators with experience in location services and who often work with agencies both in the UK and abroad to trace your missing asset or person.
This can often be a time consuming process, but in this current digital age, everyone leaves a digital footprint and specialist tracing agents are trained to follow this digital trail and use the tools they have at their disposal, such as database access, to narrow down the search until they have identified the whereabouts of an individual.
When doing this type of investigation, tracing agents are fully aware of the need to be discreet and not alert other parties to the search.
What can they investigate?
- Asset Tracing
- Background Enquires and Vetting
- Beneficiaries
- Debtor Tracing
- Due Diligence
- Family History
- Witnesses
Fraud Investigations
It doesn’t matter if it is a personal or corporate issue, fraud should never be tolerated, so if you suspect dishonesty or something illegal may be going on either at home or in the workplace, you may want to look for a private investigation firm with private detectives specialising in fraud and with access to the latest technology.
The private investigators are trained to spot irregularities and will often come from corporate backgrounds. They can put together the portfolio of evidence you need to act.
What can they investigate?
- Insurance claimants
- Employee theft or absence
- Embezzlement
- Industrial and corporate espionage
- False accounting
General Investigations & Surveillance
Private investigators can provide general investigations and surveillance to cover a multitude of reasons. They will often covertly monitor a particular location – whether that is a house, car park or street corner – at specific times or around the clock to gather evidence about any wrongdoings.
From illicit activity to tenancy fraud, private detectives can provide a full report of the location in question, including photos, videos, vehicle details and timings. So, you can prove what is going on and take action.
What can they investigate?
- Subletting
- Fly-tipping
- Drug dealing
- Anti-social behaviour
Counter Surveillance
It can be extremely worrying to think you are being tracked or followed. This type of private investigation can help detect unlawful or unwanted monitoring. Whether it’s hidden cameras, voice recorders or covert tracking, private investigators can gain evidence of the perpetrators to help you put a stop to it. Where and if required, private detectives can also use the latest technology to block out surveillance devices so you can continue with your day-to-day life.
If you are wanting to take electronic counter measures to identify or prevent eavesdropping, then debugging must be carried out by a qualified operative who can carry out a full electronic sweep of the area.
What can they do?
- Discover any trackers, recorders, and cameras
- Disable or block out technology
- Find out if anyone is following you
- Identify any cyber hacks or breaches
Process Serving
If you are a business, government body or a member of the legal profession, there may be occasions when you require an efficient and reliable individual for process serving and litigation support. This may be for court injunctions, bankruptcy, or divorce for example. If you want to hire someone to serve court documents then private investigators are often trained and insured for this purpose.
What can they serve?
- ASBO
- Bankruptcy Proceedings
- Claim Forms
- County Court Documents
- Divorce Proceedings
- Document Collection
- Domestic Violence
- Family Court and High Court
- Injunctions
- Insolvency
- Matrimonial
- Notices Displayed
- Squatters Proceedings
- Statutory Demands
- Witness Statements and Summonses
Cyber Crime
This type of private investigator is sometimes known as a cyber investigator.
Investigations such as this were predominantly the sole premise for corporations wanting to investigate security breaches, however with the increasing use of technology and with the entire world now online, cyber-crime is on the rise. Such is the nature of the illegality, it is often hard for the police to correctly identify and find the culprit as well as being able to allocate the resources needed to catch the criminals. As a result, people are hiring private investigators to help prevent issues of cybercrime.
This type of private investigator will obviously need the relevant experience and skill level to successfully utilise the same innovative tools that criminals deploy. This includes ensuring that they stay ahead of the game by immersing themselves in newly developing strategies and methods.
What can they investigate?
- Protect your computer and network
- Online Harassment and abuse
- Fake profiles, impersonation, and identity theft
- IP tracing
Private Investigators with OpSec Solutions
If you are looking for a specific type of private investigator, you want to be sure that they have the knowledge, the skills and the experience required to do the job efficiently and often discreetly.
Our expert security and intelligence team is at the heart of what we offer. Every member of the team has a professional background with invaluable experience, whether that’s military, policing, government, or the corporate sector.
When you hire a private investigator for a specific job, you want the reassurance that they can offer a fast response when required. Knowledge of the local area is also critical to the services they provide. Both can be achieved by finding a private investigator that is based near you.
Unlike many other private investigation companies, OpSec Solutions ticks both these boxes, with private investigator services across the UK. We have headquarters in London and Manchester, with local private investigators across the nation. Wherever you are based, we will provide a local service with a fast response and no compromise on the results.
We also don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to surveillance. We understand that every case has its own requirements and complexities – whether it’s a long-term static project, or dynamic mobile surveillance that needs operatives in various locations.
That is why our team takes time to assess every case in detail. After an in-depth consultation, we will outline a clear methodology, tailored to the type of private investigator you require.
It doesn’t matter who you are, OpSec Solutions works with solicitors, loss adjusters and insurance companies, small businesses and individuals, and even large enterprises who can subcontract their surveillance and investigative needs to our capable team.
We understand that the trust factor is invaluable when it comes to surveillance, especially in personal matters. At OpSec Solutions, we complete all work legally, confidentially and in full compliance with GDPR. We have accreditation and membership from some of the industry’s leading bodies so you have peace of mind that any private investigative services are carried out ethically, legally and with full confidentiality.
Want to know more about the private investigator services we provide, our state-of-the-art technology, and how we could help you? Then please contact us today.