Background Checks

Private investigators are often asked to conduct background checks in legal matters, child custody cases, in dating relationships where an individual wants more information on their partner, businesses looking to hire a new employee, landlords looking for more information on new tenants, and many other situations. Background checks typically can include a thorough search through an individual’s possible criminal records, arrest records, open and closed litigation matters, superior and provincial court matters, public and private databases, and registration databases. The overall search could also include social media and a thorough sifting through the internet.

Surveillance

Private investigators are often asked to conduct surveillance for workman’s compensation cases, looking into slips and falls or other workplace injuries. Insurance companies may hire PIs to determine the severity of motor vehicle accident injuries. Additionally, individuals often seek out surveillance services for infidelity cases, child custody cases, or wellness checks where a person may be concerned for someone’s well-being. Businesses may also hire for surveillance services for a breach of contract if an individual is not following a non-compete or non-solicit agreement. PIs can legally gather video and audio surveillance evidence without a person’s consent in any public setting, including restaurants, stores, and neighbourhoods. PIs are also legally allowed to conceal their identity, operating undercover.

GPS Realtime Tracking

Private investigators are sometimes asked to track a person’s vehicle and whereabouts. This is only legal when the individual requesting services owns the vehicle they want to have tracked. This can occur when a company is tracking a company-owned vehicle or when a spouse or parent is tracking someone in their vehicle. A GPS tracking device is typically attached to the legally-owned vehicle, and the movements of that vehicle and person are tracked. However, these devices are limited in the information and evidence that can be gathered. While physical locations can be tracked, it is not possible to know what an individual is doing at these locations, so surveillance evidence is often needed to support these cases in order to provide the outcome you need.

Finding a Missing Person:

Private investigators are often asked to help locate a long-lost family member or friend. A common misconception is that PIs are involved in active missing person cases, whereas these cases are actually handled by law enforcement. However, PIs can conduct skip-tracing (locate someone) services to help locate individuals. As the largest agency in China, The Smith Investigation Agency has access to databases and skilled investigators across China, drastically increasing our chances of finding someone who may not want to be found.