Since beginning my business as a private investigator in Idaho, I have been dumbfounded, amazed, perplexed and disgusted by many of my so-called colleagues in the business. Before I go on, let me say this: In Idaho there is no licensing of private investigators, so here this "profession" has been tainted by many who could never obtain a license in another state, have no business being in the business, and would never pass a background investigation. I know for certain we have convicted felons who own PI businesses here in Idaho; one such individual was just arrested for dealing methamphetamine (he previously served time in prison for manslaughter). We have those who claim prior law enforcement experience yet refuse to provide verifiable information about their alleged experience.
Yesterday a would-be client who had first contacted me, then shopped for a better price, called frantically telling me about the investigator she hired who talked her into providing all of her personal information so he could get into her computer and "crack" the passwords and codes of her boyfriend, whom she expected was cheating on her. She had since noticed he had taken over her computer and was concerned about his intentions. The investigator would not return her calls now and in an email indicated he needed more money to complete his task.
Why do I care? Because I continually receive new clients who have been ripped off by other investigators. So good for me, right? Maybe, to that degree. But I still detest crooks. I always have and in fact, I dedicated more than two decades filling prisons with the same type of people I now know as "colleagues." Not to mention my time is my money and much (uncompensated) time is spent providing those who have been burned with the information they need to protect themselves.
Don't get me wrong, there are some great PI's in Idaho and probably the majority of them are honest, decent people. But to avoid civil litigation, I won't name the good or the bad. The point is there are those who are really bad, but I can't tell you who they are. I hope you find the good ones. Let me give you a few hints:
- Choose investigators with verifiable experience.
- Choose investigators who are open about the idenitities and their backgrounds. Avoid the "cloak and dagger" types; they are often the police or spy wannabes.
- Ask for references of professionals such as attorneys or business owners.
- Interview several and use common sense when hiring an investigator. You wouldn't settle for the cheapest surgeon or lawyer; don't hire a low-budget investigator.
This is the second article I have authored about the subject. I hope it helps you make good choices.
Danny R. Smith
DRS Investigations, Idaho
L.A. Sheriff's Homicide, Ret.
www.drsinvestigations.com
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Love on the Internet
Perhaps today's most popular form of meeting new friends and starting intimate relationships is through the internet, rather it be a dating service or various chat rooms. With such a rising popularity in this trend, I feel compelled to tell a short story and provide a few suggestions that may help you protect yourself from some of the evil and insanity lurking in those dark cyber-corners.
First the story: I recently had a young man as a client who after having a three-year cyber relationship with a "female" we'll call Cindy, he was contacted by a third party "mutual friend" and told Cindy had taken her life; the client was devastated. My investigation quickly revealed Cindy and the mutual friend were one in the same, a young male adult with some mental health issues (this is true, not said to be cruel). The point is "Cindy" wanted to end the friendship with my client but did not know how else to do so with the same immediate results.
My client in this case was emotionally traumatized and even embarrassed by the chain of events and my discovery, but was otherwise unharmed. Others have not been as fortunate; we've all seen the stories or heard about internet relationships ending tragically, sometimes in murder.
If you use the internet for dating or establishing friendships, please use all precautions before exposing yourself to a stranger. People are not always what they represent, and their past is easily erased in cyber forums. Obtain all of the information you can about any such person and have the information verified! This is not difficult for any private investigator and considering the potential hazards, not a bad investment.
A private investigator can conduct a thorough background investigation, verify whether or not your new friend is who he/she claims to be and check for criminal history. A good investigator will also search civil records for divorces or other actions which may reveal some interesting, unrevealed facts about your friend.
At the very least, use common sense and always tell your best friend or someone about this person. If they tell you things don't seem right, listen to them; they are not emotionally involved. And never, ever meet someone without others knowing the details of your rendezvous. Choose a safe place and have an exit strategy that will work even with an overbearing, hostile individual.
For more information please visit my web site at:
http://www.drsinvestigations.com/
By: Danny R. Smith
DRS Investigations, Idaho
L.A. Sheriff's Homicide, Ret.
First the story: I recently had a young man as a client who after having a three-year cyber relationship with a "female" we'll call Cindy, he was contacted by a third party "mutual friend" and told Cindy had taken her life; the client was devastated. My investigation quickly revealed Cindy and the mutual friend were one in the same, a young male adult with some mental health issues (this is true, not said to be cruel). The point is "Cindy" wanted to end the friendship with my client but did not know how else to do so with the same immediate results.
My client in this case was emotionally traumatized and even embarrassed by the chain of events and my discovery, but was otherwise unharmed. Others have not been as fortunate; we've all seen the stories or heard about internet relationships ending tragically, sometimes in murder.
If you use the internet for dating or establishing friendships, please use all precautions before exposing yourself to a stranger. People are not always what they represent, and their past is easily erased in cyber forums. Obtain all of the information you can about any such person and have the information verified! This is not difficult for any private investigator and considering the potential hazards, not a bad investment.
A private investigator can conduct a thorough background investigation, verify whether or not your new friend is who he/she claims to be and check for criminal history. A good investigator will also search civil records for divorces or other actions which may reveal some interesting, unrevealed facts about your friend.
At the very least, use common sense and always tell your best friend or someone about this person. If they tell you things don't seem right, listen to them; they are not emotionally involved. And never, ever meet someone without others knowing the details of your rendezvous. Choose a safe place and have an exit strategy that will work even with an overbearing, hostile individual.
For more information please visit my web site at:
http://www.drsinvestigations.com/
By: Danny R. Smith
DRS Investigations, Idaho
L.A. Sheriff's Homicide, Ret.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Cold Case Homicide Investigation
In every community someone yearns for resolve and closure of society’s most heinous crime—the unlawful killing of a human being. Yet few know why many homicides remain unsolved, or how a private citizen can influence the outcome of an investigation.
The simple and unpleasant reality is that homicide detectives—nationwide—are typically overwhelmed by their caseloads. With no break from a revolving on-call schedule, a steady diet of new cases and several cases preparing for trial at any given time, big city homicide detectives simply cannot dedicate the time necessary to solve every case. The unsolved cases—even recent cases with workable information—begin collecting dust as new cases redirect their time, energy and priorities. As days, weeks and months pass, so do the good intentions of getting back to “that one murder.”
That one murder may be that of your loved one.
Some cases will never be solved regardless of the effort put forth. Drug-related homicides and gang murders are among the more challenging, for various reasons: fearful, unwilling or uncooperative witnesses, diminutive evidence, unsubstantiated motive, anonymous offenders and random victims, to name a few. However, when innocent victims (law-abiding citizens, children, the elderly, etc.) become victims of homicide, a tangible suspect and motive almost always exists. The key to solving these murders is experience coupled with time and tenacity.
According to the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crime in the United States 2005 report, the national solve rate of murder and non-negligent manslaughter cases of cities exceeding 250,000 in population, was 56.5 percent. These numbers don’t vary much from year to year. It is likely this statistic is elevated by the inclusion of manslaughter cases where oftentimes the offender is known by the victim. It is also fair to say the statistic would be substantially higher if not for drug- and gang-related murders.
The following excerpt is taken from an article titled The Cold Case Concept written by FBI Special Agent Charles L. Regini (posted on the FBI Website):
Only the most experienced, innovative, and persistent investigators should work cold cases because these cases, by their very nature, represent some of the most perplexing and frustrating investigations that detectives face. These are the cases that other extremely competent investigators could not solve.
I would only argue that not all unsolved homicide “could not” be solved by other competent investigators, rather many times those competent investigators had neither the time nor tenacity to solve those cases.
Another unsightly truth is many “Cold Case Squads” or “Unsolved Homicide Teams” are comprised of experienced, veteran homicide detectives who are close to retirement, tired, burned-out, experiencing health problems, or in dire need of regular hours. Special Agent Regini (in his article) speaks to just the opposite, and I applaud the FBI for their efforts to change the make-up of unsolved homicide teams. Yet the truth still widely remains: the “most experienced” homicide detectives are typically burned out.
An additional problem is simple mathematics: every large metropolitan law enforcement agency has a library of thousands of unsolved cases, and the numbers grow each day. Meanwhile, these agencies typically staff one team for unsolved cases, usually comprised of no more than half-a-dozen investigators. Few cases are actually “reinvestigated” without new evidence or persistence from the family members of the decedent.
In order to have a case reopened by an unsolved homicide team, a private citizen should start by contacting the supervisor of the appropriate investigative unit to plea their case. If not satisfied with that supervisor’s response, proceed to the captain or commander of the homicide bureau or detective division. If still unsatisfied, take your case to the office of the sheriff or chief of police of that agency.
A viable alternative is hiring a private investigator experienced in homicide investigation. The investigator will gather all available reports and documentation in order to conduct a thorough review of the existing investigation. At the conclusion of his review, the investigator should have a list of unanswered questions and investigative suggestions for the client. At this point, the client may choose to revisit the responsible agency with a report of the case review to show cause that the case should be reopened, or the client may request the private investigator pursue the case to conclusion. Either way, the unsolved case is off the shelf, so to speak.
A common tactic of homicide detectives is to ask others to review the investigation with a fresh set of eyes. During my tenure as a homicide detective I approached many investigators with problem cases and had many approach me. On one particularly difficult case, I asked a defense attorney whom I trusted to read through my investigation for a completely different view of the evidence; that was quite enlightening. Having a cold case reviewed is a very powerful tool that may rejuvenate a stalled investigation. It also drives home a point that is indisputable: There is no unsolved murder that doesn’t deserve another look.
If you would like more information about the investigation of an unsolved homicide or cold case, contact DRS Investigations for a free consultation at (208) 740-0871 or visit us at: http://www.drsinvestigations.com/
The simple and unpleasant reality is that homicide detectives—nationwide—are typically overwhelmed by their caseloads. With no break from a revolving on-call schedule, a steady diet of new cases and several cases preparing for trial at any given time, big city homicide detectives simply cannot dedicate the time necessary to solve every case. The unsolved cases—even recent cases with workable information—begin collecting dust as new cases redirect their time, energy and priorities. As days, weeks and months pass, so do the good intentions of getting back to “that one murder.”
That one murder may be that of your loved one.
Some cases will never be solved regardless of the effort put forth. Drug-related homicides and gang murders are among the more challenging, for various reasons: fearful, unwilling or uncooperative witnesses, diminutive evidence, unsubstantiated motive, anonymous offenders and random victims, to name a few. However, when innocent victims (law-abiding citizens, children, the elderly, etc.) become victims of homicide, a tangible suspect and motive almost always exists. The key to solving these murders is experience coupled with time and tenacity.
According to the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crime in the United States 2005 report, the national solve rate of murder and non-negligent manslaughter cases of cities exceeding 250,000 in population, was 56.5 percent. These numbers don’t vary much from year to year. It is likely this statistic is elevated by the inclusion of manslaughter cases where oftentimes the offender is known by the victim. It is also fair to say the statistic would be substantially higher if not for drug- and gang-related murders.
The following excerpt is taken from an article titled The Cold Case Concept written by FBI Special Agent Charles L. Regini (posted on the FBI Website):
Only the most experienced, innovative, and persistent investigators should work cold cases because these cases, by their very nature, represent some of the most perplexing and frustrating investigations that detectives face. These are the cases that other extremely competent investigators could not solve.
I would only argue that not all unsolved homicide “could not” be solved by other competent investigators, rather many times those competent investigators had neither the time nor tenacity to solve those cases.
Another unsightly truth is many “Cold Case Squads” or “Unsolved Homicide Teams” are comprised of experienced, veteran homicide detectives who are close to retirement, tired, burned-out, experiencing health problems, or in dire need of regular hours. Special Agent Regini (in his article) speaks to just the opposite, and I applaud the FBI for their efforts to change the make-up of unsolved homicide teams. Yet the truth still widely remains: the “most experienced” homicide detectives are typically burned out.
An additional problem is simple mathematics: every large metropolitan law enforcement agency has a library of thousands of unsolved cases, and the numbers grow each day. Meanwhile, these agencies typically staff one team for unsolved cases, usually comprised of no more than half-a-dozen investigators. Few cases are actually “reinvestigated” without new evidence or persistence from the family members of the decedent.
In order to have a case reopened by an unsolved homicide team, a private citizen should start by contacting the supervisor of the appropriate investigative unit to plea their case. If not satisfied with that supervisor’s response, proceed to the captain or commander of the homicide bureau or detective division. If still unsatisfied, take your case to the office of the sheriff or chief of police of that agency.
A viable alternative is hiring a private investigator experienced in homicide investigation. The investigator will gather all available reports and documentation in order to conduct a thorough review of the existing investigation. At the conclusion of his review, the investigator should have a list of unanswered questions and investigative suggestions for the client. At this point, the client may choose to revisit the responsible agency with a report of the case review to show cause that the case should be reopened, or the client may request the private investigator pursue the case to conclusion. Either way, the unsolved case is off the shelf, so to speak.
A common tactic of homicide detectives is to ask others to review the investigation with a fresh set of eyes. During my tenure as a homicide detective I approached many investigators with problem cases and had many approach me. On one particularly difficult case, I asked a defense attorney whom I trusted to read through my investigation for a completely different view of the evidence; that was quite enlightening. Having a cold case reviewed is a very powerful tool that may rejuvenate a stalled investigation. It also drives home a point that is indisputable: There is no unsolved murder that doesn’t deserve another look.
If you would like more information about the investigation of an unsolved homicide or cold case, contact DRS Investigations for a free consultation at (208) 740-0871 or visit us at: http://www.drsinvestigations.com/
Background Investigations
Some of the most common requests for background investigations include: pre-employment, child-custody and would-be romances.
Child custody issues often involve the new partner of an ex-husband or wife; the client wants to insure their children will be in a safe, sane and healthy environment when he/she has custody. These requests often involve criminal history checks, sex offender registration checks, and sometimes surveillance.
Would-be romances are more in demand than ever before due to the internet and the increase in cyber-relationships. I just finished a case where a young adult male carried on a relationship with a young “woman” for several years until learning from a third party this “woman” committed suicide. The problem was there never was a young woman on the other end; rather, it was a young adult male impersonating this character. The suicide was an attempt to end the relationship. The truth is one never knows who/what they are dealing with when meeting others through the internet, and they should proceed cautiously.
Pre-employment can cover criminal history, driver’s history, previous employment history, and general character checks. I have not marketed to employers for these types of investigations in the past, but a recent investigation has caused me to consider doing so. I was asked to do a background investigation on a subject after she had embezzled over $100,000.00 from her company. It didn’t take long for me to discover her criminal history in another state where she had committed exactly the same crimes for years. In fact, she had a warrant for her arrest for violating probation, part of a previous sentence related to prior embezzlement charges. This is a case where had the employer requested the background investigation prior to employing this convicted felon, he would have saved a fortune. Not all employers need full criminal background investigations, but in cases like the one described here where the employee will have access to finances, it would be a prudent investment.
For questions or assistance with background investigations, call DRS Investigations for a free consultation. (208) 740-0871 or visit our site: http://www.drsinvestigations.com/
Child custody issues often involve the new partner of an ex-husband or wife; the client wants to insure their children will be in a safe, sane and healthy environment when he/she has custody. These requests often involve criminal history checks, sex offender registration checks, and sometimes surveillance.
Would-be romances are more in demand than ever before due to the internet and the increase in cyber-relationships. I just finished a case where a young adult male carried on a relationship with a young “woman” for several years until learning from a third party this “woman” committed suicide. The problem was there never was a young woman on the other end; rather, it was a young adult male impersonating this character. The suicide was an attempt to end the relationship. The truth is one never knows who/what they are dealing with when meeting others through the internet, and they should proceed cautiously.
Pre-employment can cover criminal history, driver’s history, previous employment history, and general character checks. I have not marketed to employers for these types of investigations in the past, but a recent investigation has caused me to consider doing so. I was asked to do a background investigation on a subject after she had embezzled over $100,000.00 from her company. It didn’t take long for me to discover her criminal history in another state where she had committed exactly the same crimes for years. In fact, she had a warrant for her arrest for violating probation, part of a previous sentence related to prior embezzlement charges. This is a case where had the employer requested the background investigation prior to employing this convicted felon, he would have saved a fortune. Not all employers need full criminal background investigations, but in cases like the one described here where the employee will have access to finances, it would be a prudent investment.
For questions or assistance with background investigations, call DRS Investigations for a free consultation. (208) 740-0871 or visit our site: http://www.drsinvestigations.com/
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