Private investigators often play a crucial role in serious legal matters. This includes solving criminal cases. There is a misconception that police officers are reluctant to work with private investigators. But these days, police departments are increasingly working with PIs to solve cases that are especially hard to crack.
Private investigators and law enforcement work together
Law enforcement and private investigators often work hand in hand to uncover evidence for unsolved cases, especially if the police department is overworked or understaffed. Having a new set of experienced eyes to look over existing information can also be useful to a police department in seeing patterns that weren’t obvious to the officers who originally gathered the data. Many private investigators have previously worked in law enforcement. This is a huge factor in why police officers and private investigators find it easy to work together.
One of the main benefits of a private investigator’s role in criminal cases is that unlike police departments, a private investigator can choose to work on a single case at a time. This way, all their efforts and attention are focused on solving one case. Private investigators also have the benefit of not being limited by jurisdictions like police departments are. They can pursue leads without the need to turn over the investigation to someone else if it happens to be in a different jurisdiction.
Partnerships with attorneys
Private investigators often have longstanding partnerships with attorneys. Law offices know that private investigators are crucial assets for uncovering information in serious criminal cases. Private investigators can conduct witness interviews and aid in finding key witnesses to help with a case. Attorneys often to not have the time to perform the necessary legwork to gather important information needed to build a solid case and formulate a defense. A private eye can do the research, investigate data and review details that will help in a criminal case.
Private detectives and the public
Oftentimes, an individual will contact a private detective to reignite interest in cold cases that have been forgotten by law enforcement. Private detectives who are experienced and good at what they do can uncover new information years or decades after a case was last opened.
Although the role of a private investigator can take on many forms, their assistance with criminal cases is one of the most important. With backgrounds in law enforcement, police work and even military intelligence, the information private detectives can uncover can be crucial to successful outcomes in these types of cases.