In every investigator’s most pleasant dreams, we have access to loads of information that would, quite simply, make our lives so much easier. But what would be the fun in that? There are a number of things that make a private investigator’s job interesting. For one, every case and every day are different, so that […]
The 40-Year-Old Rookie — How I Changed My Career and Became a Private Investigator
It took me 41 years and plenty of trial and error, but I finally found my calling. I became a private investigator. Here’s how it happened. The Backstory So there I was, 41 years old, blindsided by corporate bureaucracy, out of a job and staring into the face of an uncertain future. It was December […]
How the Detroit Lions Failed Background Check 101
According to recently published report in the The Detroit News, the newly hired coach of the Detroit Lions, Matt Patricia, was arrested for aggravated assault in 1996. Patricia was on spring break in South Padre Island, when Patricia and another fraternity brother “burst” into an upscale hotel room and sexually assaulted a woman. Patricia and […]
The Shitty Background Investigation
Black death? Influenza? There’s a new, much more dangerous plague affecting a small group of Americans. A fast-spreading disease has affected the private investigation industry called SBI, short for Shitty Background Investigation. To the best of my knowledge this has not affected our firm, but I know it exists because I have seen it with […]
9 Simple Rules of a Private Investigator, That You Won’t See on TV
1Don’t waiver from your ethical core values. 2Don’t impersonate another human being. 3Don’t do anything that is illegal or something that falls within the “grey area” of legality. 4Your reputation and your word are all you have; use them wisely. 5Don’t take on anything just for the money. 6Situations dictate tactics. 7If you are uncomfortable […]
What to do if Someone is Impersonating you Online?
Yesterday, I was messing around with some online tools to identify social media profiles and came across Followerwonk, a tool created by the folks over at Moz to analyze Twitter followers. They have a tool where you can search Twitter bios by their “real name” or by keywords in the bio. It’s quite a handy […]
Goodbye 2017: Here’s to Kick-A$$ 2018!
2017 is (finally) over. I know that people like to think of a new year as a blank slate for a new set of dreams, goals and possibilities. I’ve never been one to think that way. But this year, I hope those people are right. There were a lot of good things to take out […]
3 Reasons Why Investigators Need to Master Online Research
Investigators often debate the value of online research, and their opinions are varied, ranging from the it’s a “disgusting and unethical practice” to “applause” from a newer generation of investigators who think that any investigation can be solved with a few clicks. The truth lies somewhere in between, but I am here to tell you that […]
How to Be an Expert in Finding People
After 15 years as a private investigator, I have become an expert in finding people. Long-lost relatives, hard-to-find witnesses, biological fathers, ex-boyfriends – you name it, I have found them. I don’t say this lightly either. I think that people who call themselves experts at anything are idiots. So I guess I am breaking my […]
Being the Best Private Investigator You Can Be
Last week, I read Eamon Javers’ article on BuzzFeed about Tom Corbally, “a private investigator whose career crisscrossed continents and spanned decades.” It’s an absolutely fascinating read. It’s literally a story straight out of Hollywood. Corbally was the “original most interesting man in the world.” He rubbed elbows with Hollywood types, flew on corporate jets […]