When you hire a private investigator, you want information that helps you make a decision. Whether your concern involves a personal relationship, an insurance claim, or a legal dispute, a surveillance investigation should begin with a clear objective and realistic expectations.
At Savvy Investigative Group, we provide surveillance and investigative services for private clients, attorneys, businesses, and insurers throughout South Florida. Here is what to consider before scheduling an assignment.
Start with a Clear Question
A useful surveillance plan begins with what you need to establish. Are you trying to document activity during a particular time? Verify information someone has provided? Gather observations related to a dispute?
Explain the circumstances and the question you need answered. An investigator can then discuss whether surveillance is appropriate or whether another service, such as background research or a witness interview, may better address your needs.
For matters involving an attorney, discussing the objective with counsel can help keep the assignment focused on information relevant to the case.
Prepare the Information You Already Have
Accurate starting information helps an investigator plan the assignment. Depending on the circumstances, useful details may include:
The person’s full name and a recent photograph.
Known home and work addresses.
Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate.
Relevant dates, appointments, and typical schedules.
Specific facts that prompted your concern.
Separate what you know from what you suspect. If an address or schedule is uncertain, say so. That distinction helps prevent the investigation from relying on an incorrect assumption.
Discuss Scheduling and Costs Before Work Begins
Ask what the proposed assignment includes, how investigator time is billed, and whether there are minimum hours, a retainer, expenses, or separate reporting charges. Get the agreed scope and payment terms in writing.
The best time to schedule surveillance depends on the objective and the information available. A known appointment or recurring activity may provide a useful starting point, but a person’s routine can change. Discuss how updates and scheduling changes will be handled.
Understand What Can Affect the Results
Surveillance documents activity during the period observed. It cannot guarantee that a particular event will occur or that every movement will be captured.
Traffic, weather, limited visibility, restricted access, and unexpected schedule changes can affect an assignment. Sometimes the person remains at a location throughout the observation period. Sometimes the investigator cannot maintain continuous observation.
Those limitations belong in the report. An observation period with no relevant activity does not establish what happened before or afterward.
Look for Clear and Objective Reporting
A useful report explains when observations occurred, what the investigator observed, and any gaps or limitations. Photographs or video, when obtained, should be presented with enough context to understand the documented activity.
Findings should distinguish observations from interpretations. Seeing someone meet another person, for example, does not by itself establish the nature of their relationship.
If the information may be used in a legal matter, your attorney can assess its relevance and how it should be handled.
Request a Consultation with Savvy Investigative Group
If you need surveillance in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach, Miramar, Weston, Cooper City, or elsewhere in Broward County, contact Savvy Investigative Group to discuss your circumstances and investigative objectives.
Call 954-829-5079 or email savvyinvestigativegroup@gmail.com to request a consultation.