Georgia clients should know this: Georgia is one of the most closed states in our country. Much information that is available in other states is not available readily, or in some cases legally in Georgia. Drivers Histories, Criminal Histories and Vehicle information as well as utilities are not legally available in Georgia without signed consent forms and utilities are never available legally without a subpoena.

When obtaining the services of a private investigator, take enough time to ensure that you get the right one.  However, when the services of a private investigator are needed, it is usually regarding a highly personal and subsequently emotional matter.

Like many practitioners, investigators have areas of specialty and areas of practice that they do not engage in at all.  It is not necessarily one-stop shopping to pick up the phone and call an investigator.  Whether the case involves a domestic matter, an area of corporate fraud, handwriting analysis, or is of a corporate nature, such as pre-employment background investigations, be sure that the investigator has at least one client that can attest to their abilities within that area.  For example, Domestic work almost always involves an attorney either during or after the investigation.  Thus the investigator should have an attorney who can act as a reference on his or her behalf.

Confidentiality is the staple of this industry.  That is why it is called “Private” Investigations.  An investigator should NEVER speak to specific work done for a client and all matters should be kept completely confidential unless the client has specified otherwise. If an investigator EVER mentions an individual’s name, location or information regarding a specific investigation, it would be a breach of confidentiality and belies all ethical standards and this behavior should be reported to the state regulating agency.  In Georgia, that state agency, The State Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies is a part of the Secretary of State’s office and can be located through their website, http://www.sos.ga.gov/plb/.  If an investigator should treat a client in a manner unbefitting to the profession or if an individual is found to be practicing without a license, a complaint can be filed easily at this website.

Most importantly, make certain that the investigator you are about to hire is licensed by the state of Georgia to practice as an investigator.  Check the Secretary of State’s website to determine if there are pending consent orders and to ensure that the investigator’s license is currently active.

An investigator should present a contract for his or her services to be signed at the time the client retains their services.  This contract should outline the work to be performed and all fees associated with the work.
Lastly, spend time talking to the investigator.  The initial meeting with an investigator should be lengthy and as much information as possible regarding the case should be discussed as well as possible scenarios that could arise during the course of the investigation.  If anything during this conversation makes you uncomfortable or uncertain about the methods or possible ramifications of the actions of the investigator, call another investigator and make an appointment to speak with them before signing a contract.

Just as when you hire an attorney to represent you in a legal matter or hire any professional to complete a job for you, it is imperative that you are comfortable that you have hired the right investigator for your case.  You should be comfortable with the investigator and confident in their abilities before proceeding with the investigation regardless of how short or long the task.
If you have any questions about hiring an investigator for any work, please feel free to call our office and schedule an appointment for a consultation.  The consultation, as always, is free of charge.

Georgia clients should know this: Georgia is one of the most closed states in our country. Much information that is available in other states is not available readily, or in some cases legally in Georgia. Drivers Histories, Criminal Histories and Vehicle information as well as utilities are not legally available in Georgia without signed consent forms and utilities are never available legally.

Patricia Barrow Mincey, 45, Savannah, Private Detective/ Security Agency Member – Mincey is the owner and lead investigator of Executive Strategies and a contract investigator with US Investigations. She served as a corporate fraud manager for Food Lion Stores, a division of Delhaize Corporation, and a loss prevention manager for Kmart Corporation. She is a member of the National Council of Investigation and Security Services, the International Graphoanalysis Society, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and the Georgia Association of Professional Private Investigators Board of Directors. Mincey has attended the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, and Armstrong Atlantic State University. She and her husband, Ron, have one grown daughter.

Original Press Release:
http://gov.georgia.gov/00/press/detail/0,2668,78006749_79685627_83468267,00.html

The objective of this certification program is to create comprehensive, universally accepted professional standards combined with an objective measure of an interviewer’s knowledge of those standards.

The ultimate goal is that every person and every organization with a stake in interviewing will benefit from the program, as will the reputation and effectiveness of the entire profession.

“Higher levels of professionalism will go a long way to advancing and improving this incredibly important part of our jobs,” says Kirk Lonbom, Assistant Deputy Director, Illinois State Police. “Right now, CISA and CFI are the best ways of doing that.”

For More Information:
http://certifiedinterviewer.com/
http://www.w-z.com/
http://www.isaca.org/cisa/