Surveillance is one of the most commonly requested private investigation services. From evidence to support litigation to child custody cases, surveillance offers an effective way to obtain information without breaking any laws or codes of conduct and our reports are prepared to a standard suitable for legal proceedings.
One of the questions that often arises before surveillance can commence is — can a private investigator find someone? The answer is yes, a private investigator can locate a person. However, the overall success rate and the process itself will vary from one case to another. Truth Investigations has a strong track record of locating people, and we tell you upfront if we think someone is unlikely to be found.
Below are some factors that a private investigator will consider to conduct surveillance:
What Are the Client’s Reasons for Conducting Surveillance?
When it comes to using surveillance investigation services, one of the first aspects that a PI will consider is whether the client’s motives are lawful. Some clients seek the services of a private investigator to carry out activities that may be illegal or unethical, such as stalking a person or an ex. However, PIs are still subject to regulation, licencing, and the same laws as civilians. That’s why private investigators will perform thorough checks to vet clients and ensure there’s a legal need and the surveillance is warranted.
It’s important to keep in mind that surveillance is an invasive activity for the person you’re trying to watch. That’s because a private investigator can access personal (and often sensitive) information about the target, such as phone numbers, social media profiles, vehicle records, family members, and driver licence information. If they find that the client has ulterior motives that don’t seem harmless, they may decline the case.
How Does a Private Investigator Watch Someone?
Surveillance investigations employ a variety of tools and techniques to watch a person. The exact methods and equipment will be different, depending on the case.
Despite common TV depictions, private investigators aren’t allowed to trespass, tamper with mail, or bug phones.
Here’s a list of what they can and can’t do.
Private investigators can:
- Follow a person (in a public place)
- Use both open-source and public records to look for someone
- Carry out history and background checks
- Use social media and internet enquiries
Private investigators can’t:
- Hack email accounts or computers
- Trespass
- Bug phones
When you hire a Sydney private investigator, we will make you aware of what we can and can’t do for your particular case. This helps facilitate clear communication between you (the client) and our investigator so that you’ll know what to expect from the start.
How Do Private Investigators Conduct a Surveillance Operation?
Once we have accepted your case and an initial deposit (or retainer) has been paid, the surveillance operation may commence. It involves monitoring a person’s activities through close observation.
- We will first ask you for any relevant information about the person (the Subject):
- Where do they live?
- Where do they work?
- What type of car do they drive?
- What do they look like?
- What is their typical routine?
When hiring a private investigator to watch someone, being open and honest is extremely important and can make the difference between success and failure. However, PIs have a strict requirement to maintain the client’s confidentiality, which means you can rest assured in the knowledge that any information you share will be kept confidential.
- The next step is planning a surveillance schedule. Usually, a surveillance schedule is prepared by both the client and the private investigator to determine the best days and hours to conduct surveillance. This is a critical step as it will allow the PI to obtain the required evidence and the client to save money in the long run.
- The PI will conduct surveillance based on the agreed-upon schedule. They will also maintain a detailed written report, which will often include video recordings and photographic evidence.
- At the end of the operation, you will receive a report. At this point, you’ll be able to decide whether there’s enough evidence to use for your purposes.
Surveillance reports are prepared to a standard suitable for legal proceedings; whether they are admitted is a matter for the court.
Surveillance Is a Game of Patience
Hiring a private investigator in Melbourne to conduct surveillance, whether to find someone or to gather evidence of a cheating partner, is a game of patience. Our investigators plan each operation carefully so that the time you pay for is spent where it matters most.
If you’re wondering how to hire a private investigator, talk to Truth Investigations.
Truth Investigations is a licensed private investigation agency, established in 2013, serving Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Canberra.
If you want to locate a person or to follow a person, we encourage you to contact Truth Investigations by phone or email to learn more about how we can help with your case. Alternatively, ask a question by filling in our confidential enquiry form.
