Common Private Investigator Questions
Facts Q & A
What is a Private Investigator?
A Private Investigator is much like any other professional. They are trained to conduct investigations, provide surveillance and gather information for their clients quickly, accurately and confidentially. In New York State, like many other states, a license is mandatory. This means that to practice and provide services an investigator needs to show a certain level of experience, education and pass a state test. In NY, an investigator also needs to be bonded and insured. Investigators come from many walks of life and have varied education and life experiences. Many are retired law enforcement or have military experience.
What does a Private Investigator do?
They gather information for their clients through research, interviews and surveillance. Private Investigators’ clients can be attorneys, businesses, insurance companies and private individuals. Most investigators work on cases related to legal, financial or personal matters. Private Investigators are skilled in the art of information gathering and have access to computer databases and searches the general public does not. Private Investigators can also be called to testify in court.
How should I choose a Private Investigator?
It's important to always do your homework and a little research prior to choosing a Private Investigator. First and foremost, make sure they have a license to investigate. Most investigators, like Mission Possible Investigations, should offer a free confidential assessment as a way to evaluate your case and provide you with an opportunity to meet and ask questions of the investigators. Make sure that the person you are meeting is actually the person investigating your case. Find out if they can take the kind of case you have and if they have experience doing it. Ask questions about their background and experience. Listen to what they are telling you, questions they are asking you. How will this person come across if they have to testify for you in court? This is the time for you to evaluate the Private Investigator as much as they are evaluating you and your case. You will want someone you feel confident can do the job and is up-front with you about the information they feel they can and cannot provide to you. Investigators at Mission Possible Investigations take pride in not only providing high quality investigations but also in keeping open communication with their clients.
Who owns Mission Possible Investigations?
Mr. Jamie N. Richardson is the founder and owner of Mission Possible Investigations and has over 10 years of investigative training and experience. He is also an Honorably Discharged United States Marine, having given 6 years of committed service to the Corps. Mr. Richardson has investigated well over 1,000 cases in his career specializing in civil, criminal, financial exploitation, employee fraud, domestic and matrimonial investigations. He has worked as an investigator both in the nonprofit sector, for the State of Florida and as a professional investigator in the state of New York prior to founding Mission Possible Investigations. Mr. Richardson has developed, through his training and experience, a specialty in investigating alleged abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of aging and vulnerable adults. Mr. Richardson has conducted numerous investigations of abuse and neglect in nursing home and aging care settings.
Who will handle my investigation?
As Mark Twain said “It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.” This fits perfectly with Mission Possible Investigations mission and values. We are a small firm and have remained so in order to provide you the highest quality investigative services possible while keeping your cost affordable. You never will have an inexperienced “investigator” who is paid $10 to $12 an hour conduct your investigation. The owner Jamie Richardson or his equally experienced investigative partner will handle your case personally. Investigators at Mission Possible Investigations have diverse and varied training and experience. Investigators are highly trained in surveillance techniques as well as conducting extensive subject, witness and collateral interviews. Investigators have specialized training in working within the criminal justice system and the state system. Investigators have worked as part of a multidisciplinary team of investigators and providers and have been trained in usage of state of the art technology to include audio, video and stealth photography. Put our skills and experience to work for you.
What geographic areas for you serve?
Many of our investigations happen here in the Capital district or surrounding areas. Mission Possible Investigations covers cases in all of New York State and we have build a national network of investigators that we trust and can refer you to if your case should need investigator work outside of New York. Mission Possible Investigations also conducts case consultation nationally.
What will it cost?
Mission Possible Investigations charges an hourly rate for investigations. The cost of the investigation is determined by the complexity and nature of the case. Mission Possible Investigations works diligently to gather as much information during the free confidential assessment to save clients time and money during the investigation. All investigations require a retainer fee to start the investigation and the hourly fee is inclusive of all pertinent investigative services including; surveillance, interviews, background searches, photographic/ video evidence, updates and final reports, mileage less than 250 miles per case and investigative supplies. During the assessment investigators can provide a cost estimate for your investigation based on your unique needs.
