Private investigations is one of the oldest businesses in the world starting well before the 16th century. US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the growth of the private investigations industry is around 11% above the average growth rate for all other professions. So why are private investigators in demand? Primarily, they can fill a void where law enforcement do not have the resources, time, or expertise to conduct an investigation. 
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• Missing persons - If a member of your family, or a friend is missing, the first call you should make is to local law enforcement. Understand that law enforcement is limited on resources and limited geographically. A private investigator is the second call to make. Private investigators have the expertise, they can dedicate a great amount of time to locating the missing person and have the ability to travel where needed. 
• Surveillance required - Whether a business or a private individual, private investigators have the training, and equipment to conduct surveillance that is focused on your needs. Most importantly, they will get to the facts of your case. Conducting surveillance requires time and skill to perform. 
• Infidelity cases - Often the first type of investigations that individuals think of is the infidelity investigation. Investigators conduct surveillance, gather information (evidence), and provide the client with a report noting the results of their investigation. The report can then be used for civil proceedings. 
• Company needs - Private investigators provide businesses with a multitude of services from employee background investigations, conducting administrative investigations, consulting on loss prevention methods, criminal investigations and even evaluating other businesses that companies may be interested in purchasing. Again, local law enforcement are limited on resources and time and often can provide the attention to many of the investigations that private businesses require. 

There are a number of ways that private investigators can assist individuals and companies that are not often thought of: 

• Conducting interviews - A primary skill for a private investigator is interview technique. Primarily attorneys will call upon a private investigator to assist them in conducting interviews of witnesses for vehicle accidents, or other incidents. Although there may not be a specific investigation, the expertise in interviewing is often helpful in various practices to include media, businesses, and other needs. 
• Locating lost or stolen property - With the limitations of local law enforcement, private investigators can assist in finding valuable property that is lost or stolen. Investigators pick up where law enforcement left the investigation or have reached the limits of their abilities. 
• Locating persons for various reasons - Other than missing persons, private investigators often assist attorneys and insurance companies in locating witnesses, suspects, or others that are needed for specific legal requirements. Locating people is a time intensive process and the skills of a private investigator provide a quicker method to determine where or if the individual can be found. 
• Incident investigation - If an incident, one that is not criminal occurs, private investigators provide a valuable resource as law enforcement will not investigate non-criminal actions. Most often incident investigations are conducted for the business community, but some private individuals may find a need for a private investigator. A writer hired a private investigator to gather information about a historical event for a book they were writing. 

Any situation where the primary skills of a private investigator can be utilized is worth considering. Private investigators are skilled at interviewing, conducting research, searching court records, locating missing persons or property, gathering the facts, and providing a detailed written report. 

If you are asking the question then you probably need a private investigator. Here are some things to consider when you think about hiring a private investigator: 

• Professional with the experience necessary - You can conduct your own investigation but it will always be considered tainted if you are an involved party. Hiring a private investigator, an outsider, even though they work for you, will provide you with the experience, skills, and abilities needed. Also, most importantly, they've done it before!
• Save time & money - Yep, you have to pay a private investigator. Keep in mind they have the experience and tools needed to help you with your investigative needs. Chances are they will accomplish what you need in a shorter time period and provide a written report that documents their results. 
• Reduces your worry - If you are concerned about a spouse that may be cheating on you, or you need to locate someone, a private investigator will take some of the worry off of your plate. They will work on the case for you. Consider them a partner in your investigative needs. 
• Surveillance required - If surveillance is part of your needs a private investigator has the tools necessary to conduct and document the surveillance. Surveillance can be time consuming so having a private investigator that can concentrate on specific surveillance needs is critical. 

Hiring a private investigator will help you get results in most cases. Unfortunately, there are those cases that do not get proven, primarily because there may not be a cause for concern. Private investigators, in most states, are trained to conduct an investigation to get the facts. If you think you might need a private investigator? Then talk with one.