If your business is currently considering the prospect of hiring a corporate investigations team ahead of an important decision, it’s vital that you know what to expect from the process. One of the key questions you must ask is: How do private investigators work?
Corporate investigators operate differently from PIs for personal matters like investigations into suspected infidelity. So, how do private investigators work in a corporate setting and how can they support your business? Here’s all you need to know.
1. Roles of Private Investigators
Research shows that there are now almost 100,000 private investigators working in the United States, primarily in banking and related activities. However, organizations across multiple industries may require their services at different stages too.
The role of a corporate private investigator is ultimately to gather information and evidence about an individual or entity on behalf of a client, which is usually a business. All relevant data is then collated and presented to the company with 100% confidentiality.
Private investigators for businesses serve to help companies mitigate risks, safeguard credibility, and satisfy legal compliance. In turn, this allows decision-makers to act with 100% confidence while keeping the firm’s financial interests at heart.
2. Investigative Techniques
When asking “How do private investigators work?”, understanding the techniques they utilize will help you decide whether it is the right path for your business to take.
Corporate private investigators are licensed professionals who may use a range of techniques to gather information. Strategies will vary depending on the type of case, but some of the most commonly used tactics include;
- Conducting advanced criminal record checks.
- Running employment history and education verification checks.
- Gathering photos and video evidence through investigative work.
- Providing ongoing surveillance to monitor situations.
- Investigating an individual’s social media and online activities.
- Speaking with medical professionals to access and analyze records.
- Interviewing witnesses and other relevant parties.
- Reviewing cases and data from before they were hired.
Through a combination of online and offline activities, corporate private investigators will build a clearer image of an individual or situation. In turn, they will be positioned to make informed decisions.
3. Common Investigative Tasks
So, what do private investigators actually do to move the corporate investigation along?
It will depend on the nature of the corporate investigation, but some of the tasks completed include;
- Setting up and monitoring surveillance cameras.
- Following and photographing a person’s activities.
- Monitoring an individual’s online activities.
- Analyzing conflicting witness statements or views.
- Uncovering hidden documents.
- Talking to witnesses, experts, and impartial parties.
- Managing and organizing documents or evidence.
- Interacting with clients to provide regular updates.
Most corporate investigations occur locally, but private investigators can work further afield if required to gain evidence and aid your business.
4. Work Environments
As well as asking “How do private investigators work?”, many businesses ask: Where do they work?
The work of a corporate private investigator is quite varied. They should be licensed to operate in their State (The Cobalt Agency is a member of the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI), for example) and will often need to conduct online investigations too. Cases may see them work from several settings, such as;
- The client’s workspace.
- Outside another company’s premises.
- From the PI’s office for online research or telephone calls.
- Public spaces and other relevant businesses.
In other words, the corporate investigator will do whatever it takes to gather information in a legal and confidential manner.
5. Investigative Focus Areas
Corporate private investigators may be required to support your business in a wide range of important matters. Investigations can focus on individuals (employees, associates, etc.) or entities (competitors, prospective mergers, etc.) while the information may be gathered to aid decision-making processes or assist the organization in a legal case.
The most likely focus areas for hiring a private investigator are as follows:
- Personal injury investigations that aim to establish liability in personal injury cases or prove fraudulent activity by the claimant.
- Employee background checks to verify credentials and uncover anything from the individual’s personal or professional history that could pose an internal threat.
- Corporate espionage and competitor intelligence, including research into unauthorized acquisition of your company’s data and intellectual properties.
- Investigations into potential employee misconduct and/or company policy violations, extending to theft and workplace bullying.
- Due diligence investigations on potential business partners, acquisitions, or investments.
Whether hired as a one-off service or an ongoing agreement, corporate private investigators provide value in many situations.
6. Daily Operations
Depending on the nature of the workplace investigation, private investigators may only need anywhere between a day and several weeks to complete the project. However, workplace misconduct costs businesses $20bn annually while hiring the wrong candidate costs an average of $17,000. So, it can be a very valuable investment.
No two cases are identical and a private investigator’s day may look different from one day to the next. However, daily operations will often involve;
- Gathering evidence through online and/or offline investigations.
- Analyzing information in a bid to get answers for the client.
- Organizing data and evidence so that it can be presented to the client.
- Checking past evidence and insights that may have been gained.
- Strategizing and preparing for future investigative efforts.
Investigators may use a selection of tech tools, as well as a diverse range of skills, to ensure that you gain answers that internal investigations would not have achieved.
7. Investigative Objectives
As well as asking “How do private investigators work?”, companies should ask: How can a private investigator help my business?
Hiring a team of experienced corporate private investigators provides access to a fully tailored solution that aligns with your goals. The key objectives, however, are to;
- Gather comprehensive evidence to help you make informed business decisions regarding recruitment, mergers, or taking legal action against another party.
- Deliver impartial insights that take emotion or past experiences of another party out of the equation, allowing you to make the right decision with conviction.
- Conduct a thorough investigation in a confidential and inconspicuous manner, enabling your business to continue its daily operations uninterrupted.
- Provide you with 100% peace of mind as you take the next steps, whether that’s making a key decision or entering a court battle.
Above all else, private investigators aim to provide clients with the information needed to paint a clear picture of a situation, individual, or entity in the fastest time.
Get Your Corporate Investigation Started Today
Understanding how private investigators work is one thing, but ensuring that your corporate investigation is handled correctly is another altogether. Whether it’s running background checks on potential new hires or conducting due diligence on a business partner, you deserve the support of an investigator who works quickly and efficiently to deliver guaranteed results.
Here at The Cobalt Agency, our experienced team provides comprehensive and fully tailored solutions to help your business make informed decisions. Contact us now to learn more or get your corporate investigation started today.
