The Public Perception vs The Reality
The 5 Most Common Myths, Debunked!
Private Investigators are like the ones in the movies.....
I wish, wouldn't that just be super cool? Contrary to popular belief and portrayals in movies and TV shows, Private Investigators don't always engage in thrilling, high-speed car chases and dangerous stunts.
Our work, for the most part, involves lot's of research, static surveillance and documentation. A typical surveillance day may start before dawn, and then include a two hour drive to the job. Then eight, ten or twelve hours carrying out surveillance, with a two hour drive home, depending on where the surveillance concludes. In some cases we may end up two, or three hours further away. Sometimes we may end up closer to home. We then need to get home, download the footage and compile and in-depth and legally binding report for the client. It can often be the early hours of the morning before it's "lights out", only to wake up and do it all again a few hours later.....
An eight hour surveillance job can very easily become a fourteen or fifteen hour day, from start to finish. That eight hours of surveillance may be completely static, watching someone's front door. It may be a mobile job that requires mobile surveillance throughout both urban and rural areas. It may require foot surveillance via way of public transport. It may even require a mix of all of the above. Take into account the good old British weather too, January, February time, it's dark, wet and miserable...Need I say anymore....
We do encounter those job's that may get the endorphins going, but in truth, they are few and far between and nothing like the latest James Bond movie, quite the opposite infact!
Dedicated | Diligent | Discreet
Private Investigators have unlimited access to information......
The term "unlimited" I would suggest is a slight exaggeration. We have access to private systems and databases that allow us to obtain data. We have to be vetted to use these databases and pay a large premium for doing so - it is not cheap!
A common myth is that we can hack into phones. This cannot be done remotely, and if it could, it would be highly illegal. Wouldn't that be great though, if we could, we would never have to leave home or Birmingham office and would simply obtain everything we need by magically pressing a button that would allow us instant access to a subject's phone, wherever they may be throughout the UK.....There wouldn't be many of us left though, as we would all be serving time at His Majesty's pleasure....I talk about this a lot, if any company is offering this service, please, run a mile, you may as-well throw your money out the window. They may sound very believable, and dazzle you with lot's of technical jargon, but I can assure you, it will be a scam!
Any data we obtain, whether it be for a very basic trace or a more in-depth background check is done so legally and ethically, and within the law. Every document we produce, we do so with the view of it being potentially used for legal proceedings, and therefore being admissible in a UK court of law.
A large part of the data obtained is also done via OSINT methods. OSINT stands for Open Source Intelligence and is the act of gathering and analysing publicly available data for intelligence and investigative purposes.
It's important to remember, whatever we do we must follow and adhere to legal and ethical guidelines!
Leading | Established | Award Winning
We can break the law......
Professional and legitimate Private Investigator companies should always adhere to the law. Although the industry is still unregulated, we have guidelines and processes that we must adhere to. The Regulation of Investigatory Act 2000, also known as RIPPA is one of the main acts/guidelines that we must adhere to. It essentially governs the use of covert surveillance by public (and undercover bodies).
For example, we can't film through people's windows, we can't climb a tree in someone's back garden and sit there snapping away, we can't sit on someone's private property and film without consent, we can't film or deploy devices under doors, or through letter boxes, we can't gain access to someone's house or vehicle without their consent. It may all seem like common sense, but believe me, we take enquiries almost daily where the client expects the above....I'll perhaps do another blog at a later date that is specifically orientated around the law, what we can and cant do, and the grey areas we often fall into (vehicle tracking being one of those). Essentially we cannot engage in anything that may be deemed illegal - trespassing, invasion of privacy, harassment, hacking, wire tapping to name a few. Filming in the public domain, covertly or overtly without breaching any of the above is absolutely fine and most professionals who work within the industry are able to do so in order to obtain the evidence required.
London | Birmingham | Manchester
We always wear disguises......
There is actually a small element of truth in this. Disguises may be used and worn occasionally, but most of the time, investigators prioritize blending into the surroundings to gather information discreetly.
We often think about where we are going and the local demographic in that area. For example, if I am on a surveillance job in the back streets of Stoke-on-Trent, with a good possibility of a foot follow into the local shopping centre, I will dress very differently to a surveillance job that I am on in Central London, where the subject is thought to be dining at the Bulgari Hotel, or the likes of. It all boils down prior planning, and having that knowledge and experience to be able to adapt and dress according to the situation and location.
Of course, there may be times when we have been following a subject all day, and we then need to change our appearance. Caps, glasses, change of top or shoes usually does the trick and can be done if carried in a 'go bag'. Most Private Investigators will also have a box of 'props' in their car. These may be used for door knocks or tricky Op's where we simply can't plot up discreetly and covertly without giving anyway exposure.....
Have you ever wondered, is that guy sat on that grassy area at the edge of the village really carrying out a traffic survey......
Local | National | International
The work is glamourous.....
This is generally not the case. I would say 'interesting, demanding and stressful' would be better fitting adjectives to use. Investigative work involves a lot of patience, research and documentation. It involves long periods of time being sat still and often alone, in silence. It is certainly not as glamourous as it is portrayed in the media and on television.
In some instances we may be starting work before dawn, we may be working through the night and in risky areas. Take into account the weather too. When it's 35c and your sat in your vehicle that has now turned itself into a sauna. We can't just start up the engine and turn the AC on. We of course have fans and cool boxes filled to the brim with cold drinks and ice, but at best, that just makes it ever so slightly more bearable.
The same in winter when it's -5c outside. Although I personally find it easier to keep warm when it's cold, as opposed to trying to cool down when it's ridiculously hot. It can have an affect on one's health too. I look fifteen years my senior and carry a few extra pounds through the many thousands of hours sat on the back seat of my car. You'll be doing well if you can find a surveillance operative who is in tip top condition and looking anything other than 10 years his or her senior - I think most in the industry will agree.....
Remember, Private Investigators play a vital role in various fields, often working diligently behind the scenes to gather accurate and reliable information within the boundaries of the law. As I mentioned above, it is vitally important that all evidence produced is done so legally and therefore admissible in a UK court of law. It's also important to remember that there is time involved with planning every investigation. Often several hours prior to an investigation starting, and then travelling to and from the investigation start and finish location, along with client updates and calls and then the compiling of the evidence via way of report once home, which, depending on the size of the investigation and amount of footage obtained can often take between three and four hours, without any hiccups....If you're booked in for the next day, it's lights out, usually in the early hours, to wake up several hours later and do it all again!
The price quoted for any job should reflect all of the above too. If someone is quoting you a days surveillance for the price of a pair of new trainers, are you really getting all of the above? Are you getting a professional service, probably not!
Likewise, if you are being quoted many thousands of pounds for a day or two's investigation, find out why, ask for a breakdown of costings!
Anyway, I'm going slightly off topic here.
To summarize, the public perception and reality of the Private Investigations industry are worlds apart. I could probably write twenty common myths, but with blog writing not being my forte, I will happily leave it at that!
I hope this gives a small insight into the daily goings on. Private Investigations is not so much a job, but a way of life!
