How does a private detective collect evidence?
On the outlook, the job of a private detective might look quite thrilling but that’s not entirely the case. Private detectives undergo a lot of difficult phases while carrying out investigation and tackling them sometimes become a gruesome task. The profession of a private detective is life-threatening and not a place to mess around. Private detectives perform an investigation in various steps and each step is equally difficult to deal with. One of the most difficult steps is collecting evidence and this is where true skills of private detectives are tested. There are various methods devised by private investigators to collect evidence. Some of them are conventional and common methods while some are strategic ones. Today we are going to see some of the methods that private detectives use to collect evidence.
Spying
Spying on the subject is one of the primary things that private detectives do while carrying out an investigation. Spying is in most cases the first step of investigation as it involves a background check of the subject. While spying on the subject, private detectives note down the activities of that subject. Although spying alone can’t be used for gathering solid evidence, it can help in solving case further. But in some instances, private detectives collect evidence while observing day to day activities of the subject. Say the subject is meeting a suspicious individual on a particular day so detective will capture the image of their meeting. Later on the detective use this image as evidence to spill out information from the subject.
Using Surveillance cameras
One of the most efficient methods of collecting evidence is installing cameras in the vicinity of the subject. Spying isn’t most convenient since detectives can’t spy in personal spaces. In such places private detectives install cameras and they act as an observant of the subject. Videos are treated as a solid form of evidence and can be used as a strong asset while pursuing the suspect. While it is one of the most convenient methods of collecting evidence, it is also risky. If the subject were to somehow find out that cameras are installed in his/her vicinity, he will become wary. This will greatly hinder the investigation and influence the case in future. That’s why this method is only used by keeping the magnitude of the case in mind.
Using microphones
Cameras aren’t the only electronic equipment that can be used to gather evidence. Apart from cameras, private detectives also install microphones in the vicinity of the subject. While it is not as convenient as installing cameras, it has its own benefits. In some cases it is not necessary to collect video evidence, in such instances; microphones can get the job done.
Interviewing people
While carrying our investigation private detectives often encounter people that can be treated as eyewitnesses. Detectives interview these people and note their statement regarding the subject. Eyewitnesses are vital since their one statement alone can change the course of the investigation.
Conclusion
So these are some of the methods used by private detectives to collect evidence. Apart from these more advanced methods are also used in this regard.