Private investigators are people who have the experience in uncovering facts and details about a situation in order to clarify certain circumstances. Private investigators, while considered professionals, don’t undergo any formal training. Most private investigators have a background in law enforcement or some other type of security work. Such experience enables private investigators to uncover things that the average person cannot. For instance, if you visit www.mydenverpi.com, you’ll see that they offer top-notch surveillance for their clients, among several other types of investigative services.
With the skills and expertise that private investigators have, the potential for abuse is always there. That’s why many jurisdictions have regulations as to what a private investigator can or cannot do. In some states, even becoming a private investigator is prohibited for certain individuals. For instance, the state of Virginia forbids convicted felons from working as private investigators.
Colorado’s regulations regarding private investigative work are similar to that of most other states. However, there are some slight differences. The following scenarios describe the scope of what a private investigator can do in Colorado:
1) Criminal Investigations and Background Checks
If you’re dating someone or considering having business dealings with them, there needs to be an element of trust. Because most people aren’t completely honest about their past at the onset, knowing more about them can be challenging. A private investigator can help in such cases. They are allowed to investigate private individuals for their clients. Of course, all such investigations have to be within the confines of the law. For instance, it is illegal for a private investigator to install hidden cameras in the subject’s home. Otherwise, a private investigator can do everything within their means when carrying out an investigation. This can range from tailing their subject to discreetly watching them from afar.
2) Providing Proof of Marital Unfaithfulness
Many people in relationships are increasingly seeking out the services of private investigators if they suspect unfaithfulness from their partner. In Colorado, a private investigator can gather evidence against a suspected cheating partner. This evidence can be in the form of audio or video recording as long as it is obtained legally. For example, a private investigator can capture footage of such a partner on camera in a public place. However, recording the subject in, say, a public bathroom is prohibited.
Similarly, a spouse or their lawyer can retain the services of a private investigator during divorce proceedings. Sometimes, one spouse may try to hide assets from the other to avoid a fair sharing of property. A private investigator becomes essential in uncovering hidden assets or offshore bank accounts.
3) Assisting in Child Custody Cases
Many non-custodial parents tend to default on their child support payments. Whether due to unforeseen circumstances or outright negligence, a private investigator can provide crucial evidence of such a noncustodial parent’s misdeeds. For instance, if a noncustodial parent is claiming financial hardships as the cause of defaulting on child support payments, a private investigator can ascertain this fact or falsehood. Using their experience, they can dig up bank account information and follow up on the noncustodial parent’s work history to determine their claim.
Similarly, some non-custodial parents tend to abuse their children when it is their turn to spend time with the child. In Colorado, a private investigator can discreetly follow a noncustodial parent once they take the child for their permitted visitation time. Discreetly, the private investigator can watch for any evidence of child abuse.
4) Locating a Missing Person
It is often said that an individual should wait 24 or 48 hours before reporting someone missing. However, time is always of the essence in such situations. The sooner the search begins for a missing person, the better the odds of locating them. This is especially critical for children. However, the authorities may not always act fast enough, probably because of limited resources. A private investigator can help fill this void by springing to action immediately. With over half a million people reported as missing each year in the United States, you don’t want your loved ones to become a part of this statistic. A private investigator can use their experience to give you the best chance of locating your missing loved one.
5) Helping Personal Injury Victims
While lawyers tend to be at the forefront of personal injury cases, there are numerous times when a private investigator is a power behind the throne. For instance, if a person is injured in a car accident due to the other driver’s reckless driving, the victim can hire a private investigator to gather evidence to corroborate their claims. Similarly, a personal injury lawyer could use the expertise of a private investigator to uncover facts related to their case. For instance, if a vehicle manufacturer sold defective vehicles that resulted in fatal crashes, a private investigator can gather evidence to support such a theory.
6) Assisting With Business Cases
Sometimes, big businesses are the targets of frivolous lawsuits by unscrupulous individuals looking for a big payday. For example, an individual can file a lawsuit based on a false claim. Even without proper defense, such a company risks its reputation, which could hurt sales. A private investigator can help such a company to get to the bottom of such issues. It may involve an extensive investigation of the individual that initiated the bogus lawsuit.
7) Helping to Trace Family
For many adopted or abandoned children, finding their birth parents is a dream come true. At the very least, such children want to know about their parents and what happened to them. A private investigator can help such children (when they’re adults) to find out what happened to their birth parents, thereby bringing some form of closure to such children.
All in all, a private investigator in Colorado is allowed to do a lot of things as long as they’re not breaking the law. For instance, they can act as home security consults and offer advice on the best way to keep intruders out and how to detect surveillance around your home.