We’ve written numerous times about Private Investigation Blaggers and the negative stigma attached to the Private Investigation industry, which still completely lacks any official regulatory body.
As we have previously stated it is very important to be able to distinguish between a proper legitimate private investigation firm and these ‘blaggers’ who have been caught and who would never be referred to as true investigators, for the methods they used, which are not only illegal but often circumvent the hard work surrounding the conduct of a professional private investigation.
At the end of the day the methods that are being used by these rogue investigators are purely shortcuts, and illegal shortcuts at that. Quite often, the cases in question could easily be done correctly and legally, and although it may take a bit more time it is this type of work that the majority of investigators do on a daily basis, within the law.
Where the gaining of information is protected under various laws and required for court proceedings, a good lawyer will ask the court for a disclosure. In any event obtaining information illegally cannot then be presented as evidence in a court of law, and can leave not only the investigator open to prosecution but also their client.
Take the recent case of The Mirrors’ Group Newspapers use of private investigators.
In recent years with the onset of the promise of licencing and the implication that any investigator in breach of the Data Protection Act, would not be granted any such licence, it is good to see that the majority of legitimate investigation agencies, are following the rules.
The strict policy adopted by Private Investigation Association’s, and the guidance they give their members can play no small part in the success of this change.
Combine this with the desire of private investigators to be legitimised and recognised for the professionals they are and the invaluable work they can provide in society, always ensure that any investigator you use is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office. Find out if a private Investigator is registered by visiting the ICO website.
While it may seem all well and good having a quick turnaround time using these illegal methods, what these rogue companies seem to be missing is that any information obtained this way is useless in any Court of Law, and investigators should always work on the assumption that any case undertaken could end up in front of a Jury, Judge or Tribunal. In these situations the investigators methods will always be questioned and they must be able to produce a chain of evidence gathering that passes legal muster.
Any professional private investigation agency will always work completely within the law to get the results you need, and will be able to provide all of the evidence in such a way that it can stand rigorous cross examination in court.
It can be a minefield when you already have a problem to source a legitimate private investigator. We have said it numerous times before, but when it comes to looking for a private investigator you should always look for:
- A physical address you can visit, NOT A PO BOX
- Trade / Professional Association Memberships
- Landline Telephone Number, NOT A MOBILE NUMBER
- Registered Company Details
- Range of Payment Methods Accepted, NOT CASH ONLY. Professional companies will accept card payments and other payment methods, they will not solely accept cash in person
- On-line testimonials, from such sources such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews
- Professional indemnity insurance
- How long have they been established?
- Do their employees have the relevant qualification and or experience to conduct investigations?
- Do they have a privacy policy?
- Do they display terms & Conditions?
Insight Investigations fulfil all of this criteria, and are proud members of The World Association of Professional Investigators, following their strict Code of Conduct.
If you are looking to hire a private investigator for a problem, no matter how sensitive or complex, we can help. Contact us today on the number below or via our contact us form for a professional, reliable and efficient service from industry experts established for over 35 years.
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