In January 2023, Mason Investigative Solutions opened its 1000th case. Here are some lessons that Private Investigator Steven Mason learned along the way. Network – An investigator’s network is everything. One must exchange ideas daily with other investigators. Investigators who exist on their own desert island and never network, participate in associations, or are willing […]
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Address Histories
Note: Private Investigator Steven Mason’s article originally appeared at PInow.com. One of the most important pieces of data for an investigator to know about someone who is the subject of inquiry is his or her address history. Franky, it’s difficult to imagine any investigation that can’t benefit from knowledge of the target’s address history. Asset […]
Locating Driving History Records
If you’ve been a private investigator for any length of time, chances are you’ve researched an individual’s driving history – a significant source of information and intelligence in almost any type of legal case, from civil litigation to family law. Such an investigation can uncover information about vehicles associated with the individual, locations frequented, alcohol […]
Google Search Like a Private Investigator
Without question, one could argue that Google is a private investigator’s No. 1 resource when beginning an investigation. It’s no secret that Google is the go-to source for information about people, businesses and locations. According to Reliablesoft.net, as of 2020 Google’s market share remains between 70% and 91%, making it far and away the dominant […]
Police Body Cameras And Historical Scene Canvassing
“History is a Greek word which means, literally, just investigation.” Arnold Toynbee As private investigators, oftentimes we begin our investigation long after the incident in question. Some investigations commence days after, others years. What’s common among all investigations is that we begin our task by understanding what took place by identifying people, places, and evidence. […]
Social Media Evidence, Not For The Novice
“Privacy on the Internet? That’s an oxymoron.” – Catherine Butler With an estimated 45% of the world’s population possessing at least one social media account, the value of social media as an evidence source cannot be overstated. From personal injury suits to criminal trials, it has become increasingly rare for social media evidence to not […]
The Price Myth
“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” -Warren Buffet When shopping for a private investigator, the first question most people ask is, “What’s your hourly rate?” It’s a reasonable question, but the average person doesn’t understand how much the quality of service – not to mention knowledge and experience – can […]
Pre-Charge Investigations
“We are in the business of helping good people overcome bad situations” David Reddell It’s been said many times that the best defense is a good offense. A person who becomes the subject of a criminal investigation should hire a private investigator and an attorney without delay. For a potential defendant, time is of the […]
Evidence Expires
Hiring a private investigator in the early stages of a criminal or civil case guarantees the best chance of success for your client. The collection of evidence is crucial, and time is of the essence. Your client’s assets, business or freedom could be at stake. The Importance of Evidence The successful collection (or lack […]