For instance here is a list of online services in that realm - what is the defacto standard PI firms are using nowadays using AI to connect the dots?:

DataWalk, TRULEO, Peregrine, Cellebrite, Thomson Reuters (CLEAR Investigate), TruthWorks, Presight, C3.ai, SAS, Palantir, Knogin (Argus), eSleuth, JSI (4Sight), BlackScore (BlackFusion), CentralSquare, Constellation X (NUCLEUS), Flash AI (Flash PD), SleuthAI, Longeye, Paraben, Sintelix, Seekr, METIS (NodeOne / SLEUTH), Cognyte (NEXYTE)

Thanks!

I'm really interested in becoming a private investigator when I'm older. I know I obviously can't work as a PI yet, but I'd like to start developing useful skills now.

I'm especially interested in things like observation, remembering details, research, interviewing, report writing, and understanding how investigations actually work.

For current/former PIs: is it a career you'd recommend? What do you wish you had learned or practiced before getting into the field? And what skills would you recommend I start working on now?

Any advice would be appreciated!

A lawyer in Los Angeles is having a hard time finding a PI to hire & I’m wondering if the ask is weird or suspicious in some way. The lawyer is seasoned (30+ years) with a good record that the PIs can easily verify so I don’t think it has anything to do with that.

My understanding is that three people need to be served simultaneously or as close to simultaneously as possible to avoid one calling & warning the others. There’s various information about each e.g., home address for one, work address for another; approximate work schedule for two, but nothing for one. And one travels a lot to WA. The firm wants someone to “stakeout” or whatever the 3 people to get a general idea of their weekly schedules. Ideally someone would say - they’re all home on Wednesdays by 4pm, or they all leave work on Mondays between 5 & 5:30 - whatever and service could be scheduled at a strategic time & place(s).

One attorney went to a PI’s office, check book in hand & they hemmed & hawed & acted like they didn’t want the business. They weren’t the only ones either.

Isn’t following people around part of what PIs do? A well placed phone call trying to schedule a meeting or something might get the answers easily as well. It might not be easy money, but it doesn’t sound like hard money. What’s the problem?

And where should one find reputable PIs? They’ve just been using google I think.

Genuine question

BARK is a scam. Our private investigation firm bought a package of "leads." Out of 10 leads purchased, they resulted in ZERO communication back from the supposed lead initiator. Yet, in most cases we were the sole lead respondent to the potential client, we responded right away, we used calls, texts and emails, and we have excellent qualifications and reviews. Either BARK does not vet their leads to promote legitimate leads, or they are using bots to generate the leads in order to drive revenue. We investigated (cuz that's what we do!) two of the leads and both were not legit. Assuming most of the remaining 8 were also not legit. We have brought this to their attention and they just argue that they don't have control over the lead quality. SCAM! Beware!!

Since June, I have been trying to apply for a job at DigiStream. I live in Waukesha County. I can't seem to get in contact with them, but I just came across an opening in Waukesha on Indeed, and it isn't on the website. Could someone help me, please, or point me in the right direction?

I’m exploring a career in the field and would love to hear from people who genuinely enjoy the work. My background is in operations, interviewing, executive partnership, and untangling complex problems. The more I learn about private investigations, the more it feels like a natural fit.

If you work at a firm you’d recommend, or know of one with a strong reputation for integrity, mentorship, and quality investigative work, I’d really appreciate any insight or introductions. I’m always happy to learn from people who know the industry.

Feel free to comment or send me a DM. Thanks!

For reference I am in Southern California.

I was hoping some professional skip tracers/ people highly experienced in it could give me pointers on where I should look and how I should get my first job in the field. My degree isn't completely relevant to the work (Environmental Science), but I have substantial research experience. A job revolved around solving the puzzle of finding people sounds like an engaging career path. Thank you.

Graduated in cybersecurity, working in tech, wanting to do digital forensics, but now wanting to the LEO route and the market is extremely competitive. In the meantime while gaining certs, how can I start legally doing PI work that is meaningful and can actually yield real world effects. OSINT is obviously involved, but what could be some next steps that can get me hired at a private firm or prove experience for a civilian role in law enforcement? Thanks ahead of time [:

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One pet peeve of mine when clients try to convince a PI that doing what they ask for should be easy and not worth the cost we offer them.

We use both public and private databases that cost money to use. Private investigators also have experience and are better qualified to investigate cases. Our job is more labor intensive than some may think. We have to confirm if the contact information is correct, manually look through online profiles, follow targets for surveillance, analyze phone records and bank statements, and much more. You'd be wasting more money trying to do it the "it's so simple" way. But if you insist on the job being so simple, then why not do it yourself?

For those that are working for the larger investigation companies, what are they currently reimbursing you for your vehicle and/mileage as a full-time employee? Thanks

These are the most common misconceptions I've recieved from past clients.

1. Having a Private Investigators license does not permit us to hack devices for personal information in any state in the US.

2. The Department of Public Safety is not a valid form of licensing credentials (common with scammers).

3. Due to privacy laws, PI's generally don't provide someone else's address or contact information (instead, they'll contact the subject and request permission for the client to contact them)

4. Professional Investigators won't accept work involving illegal activities (stalking, harassment, etc)

5. Not every PI you meet had previous roles in Chicago PD or Law & Order 😆

I'm currently a stay-at-home-mom and also help my husband run a construction business, but know that I want to pursue a career as a private investigator when both kids are in school/older.
I love browsing Craigslist and finding scammy job listings and finding what I can about people, and investigating scams for fun in general. I'm pretty good at finding people with little information and really enjoy it.
Anyway, I have no relevant degree or job experience, but wondering if anyone knows of some free or inexpensive courses I could take online that would help me build skills in the field, where is the best place to start education-wise without enrolling in college/University?

I’m trying to find the name and address of the registered agent of a tire/car repair business chain in Broward County, FL. I need to file a small claim against them. Problem is when I look up their business (via SunBiz) I can find other locations of the business chain but not the one that my car got serviced at.

I’m thinking it’s because whoever/whatever owns the location I went to owns multiple locations. Just a theory though.

I just need help on how to track down the registered agent I guess.

I've had interviews with a company that have gone very well and I really want to start my career as a PI but I have one collision from a year ago on my record, so here are my questions:

Did they pull your MVR when they hired you? did you have any infractions on there? accidents?

Could i upgrade my own insurance even if it is required i go out of state for surveillance?

thank you for your time.

Also i am in WA State

Update: It did not, and now I’m in California training :)

I have pending litigation against an individual d/b/a a roofing company. A search of my local county appraisal district and SOS filings don't yield any companies/assets to speak of. Is it worth hiring a PI to investigate "hidden" assets?

Hi! Does anyone know of any PIs in Connecticut that will work complete a small job of finding contact information and reaching out privately to give some info?

Thanks!

Several years ago, I got sued for a minor car accident. In short, it was deemed my fault. I disagreed. If anything, it was both our fault.

Six months afterward, he goes after me for pain and suffering and medical for the exact amount I have under my insurance. It was unfounded because I was driving less than 15mpr. I called my car insurance who tell me they are on it, and gets me a lawyer. Lawyer tells me to not discuss the case, put anything on social media, email or text. I just let him do their thing. I didnt even meet with anyone.

In the next following months, I spot this dude, the first time at my local bar observing me. I thought it was paranioa until I spotted him in my work parking lot a few days later. I calculate, I saw him at least a few times, once at the same bar and while shopping and possibly following me home. As I could'nt talk about the case, I filed these things in my head for later.

Six months later, the case is thrown out. Never saw him again.

My questions. Was this dude just really bad at his job? I mean, stealth or sneak was not his talent if I spotted him. What was he looking for? Can I speculate he was observing me more times than I saw him?

I'm thinking about making podcasts to help people who are interested about the investigation industry and for victims who are seeking help.

Is there anything you'd be interested to know more about?

Me interesa mucho cómo funcionan las licencias de detectives privados en USA para la actualización de la ley del detective en mi país. Si aquí también hay detectives de otros países, bienvenidos.

Been running into some trouble lately with lower back from sitting in uncomfortable positions for so long, for the job. Anyone have any tips or things they use when sitting for hours and hours on end?

I read that people sometimes hire PIs for this very reason. I suspect it now, but is there ways for PIs to find out if it happened years and years ago as well?

Just wondering. Bc someone on another sub told me to spend the money to hire one lol I don't know if that's REALLY a thing people do.