Frequently Asked Questions
Why Hire a CPA Professional Investigator and NOT Do It Yourself
The investigative knowledge attained by a private investigator in the course of their employment probably equals or exceeds what most people will learn in a lifetime. A simple mistake during an investigation can destroy any chance of success in the future. Remember, if a mistake is made while attempting to conduct your own investigation, it may well require even the most talented investigators to spend measurable amounts of time to complete your assignment safely and productively.
One of the greatest advantages of utilizing a Licensed Private Investigator is their ability to conduct an assignment surreptitiously. If, for example, you attempt to undertake your own surveillance (which could be construed as stalking http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/fv-vf/stalk-harc/pdf/har_e-har_a.pdf) and you are detected, or even suspected, then you can rest assured that you have now tipped your hat and your opportunity will be lost.
Danger is always a consideration. Ask any seasoned Investigator and they will surely explain that their highest priority is the safety of his or her client, along with the general public and themselves as well. Investigators are generally well trained in how to handle themselves in the remote event that they are detected and even confronted. Sadly, this happens more often than you might imagine when an inexperienced individual is detected conducting a surveillance or stakeout. Experienced Investigators always have a cover story, escape route and back up plan.
Television does not prepare anyone for real-life investigations. Nothing compares to hands-on experience. When hiring our doctors, lawyers, accountants, mechanics, plumbers, etc., we always seek highly trained and credentialed experts to assist us with our problems. Know who you are hiring… “LETTERS of RECOGNITION”
How long the assignment might take, when will it start, do you work nights and weekends as necessary, and how long does a typical case such as my own take to be completed? These are just a few of the questions that you might have, but the answers are contingent on the type of Investigative Services you require. Every case has it’s own merits and should be addressed as such. Do you require Surveillance, General Investigation, maybe Research? A consultation with a Professional Investigator is painless and helps shed some light on all your questions.
Depending on the type of Investigative Services required, most Professional Agencies with years of experience will charge approximately $95./ hour or an average of $1000./ day depending on the evidence required. So, if your case requires several days of Surveillance or Physical Investigative field work, then you should budget accordingly. Retaining someone who is willing to do it for cheap ends up exactly that way… cheap and ineffective!!
In the event that your investigator needs to testify, how well will they present themselves on your behalf? Who is more believable,…a cost-saver investigator who has never testified, or has only testified a few times, or a seasoned investigator who has testified numerous times in both provincial and/or supreme court as well as mediation/ arbitration and pre-trails? When hiring an Investigator, you are essentially retaining the services of an unbiased third party who will present evidence on your behalf because that is what they are trained to do.
Private investigators are licensed and are vigorously tested in the British Columbia in order to be issued a license. They must be prepared to keep their clients well informed. All investigators have a responsibility to inform any potential or current client if they appear to be requesting services that exceed the limitation of the law. Legitimate and well-versed investigators will advise you how to meet your goals while staying well within the legal guidelines that govern investigative work. Your investigator is an extension of you, acting on your behalf and obtaining admissible evidence to make your case.
No, Private Investigators in Canada do NOT carry guns, nor should they need to if they are good at their job. A good Investigator knows how the obtain their evidence undetected and can work in a covert capacity if required to do so.
Private Investigators are not Lawyers, so they do NOT provide legal advice. An experienced Investigator who has years of experience can provide you comparative examples from previous cases similar to yours, but that is all. Agencies who have been in the industry for years will have well established relationships with Law Firms who they can refer to you.
In British Columbia, there is no fault divorce, so catching your spouse having an affair will have no legal bearing on your case. (Not all Provinces or States work this way, so please check the laws in your area) Assets are normally divided 50/50 and then all the rest falls into play for the courts to decide regarding years or marriage, children, primary breadwinner, etc. A Spousal Investigation will give you peace of mind that your decision was a good one to leave and that perhaps the person you are with, is no longer the person you first met. But, infidelity is more than someone breaking that trust… there are other things to consider now, like transmitting diseases or the damage that one persons poor choices cause to children, extended family and friends or even financial investments that were built up for your retirement. If you only have time invested in your relationship, then go for counseling or walk away and call it a lesson learned. Don’t hire an Investigator to be vengeful or think that you will come out farther ahead after you dig up all that dirt on your spouse because you won’t.
No, unlike what happens on TV, you can not install any type of electronic devise in someone else’s home. There are several sections of the Canadian Criminal Code that cover this type of act, and it is an invasion of privacy. Depending on the situation, an individual commenting such an offence can be subject to a $5000.00 fine and up to 5 years in prison. See section 184 of C.C.C. http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/page-41.html?txthl=184#s-184
- Covert Investigations
– Criminal Investigations
– Undercover operations
– Surveillance operations
– Corporate Investigations
– Internal fraud investigations
– Intellectual property theft
– Personal Investigations
– Infidelity investigations
– Background checks - Overt Investigations
– Publicly conducted surveillance
– Interviewing witnesses or suspects
– Open-source investigations (OSINT)
- Laws Governing Investigations
– Privacy laws and considerations for covert investigations
– Regulatory requirements for overt actions - Ethical Implications
– Balancing public interest vs. individual privacy in covert investigations
– Transparency and ethical practices in overt investigations conducted by CPA Investigations
- Defining Objectives
– Specific goals tailored for covert and overt methods
– Assessing potential risks and benefits of each approach - Gathering Preliminary Information
– Researching subjects relevant to both investigation types - Resource Allocation
– Personnel deployment for covert and overt investigations
– Budget considerations for comprehensive investigative efforts
- Covert Techniques
– Surveillance Methods
– Physical surveillance
– Use of technology (cameras, drones)
– Undercover Operations
– Role-playing and infiltration strategies
– Digital Investigations
– Data mining and social media monitoring - Overt Techniques
– Open Surveillance
– Informant and witness interviews
– Public records checks
- Documentation of Evidence
– Chain of custody for covert investigations
– Collection of publicly available information in overt investigations - Ensuring Data Integrity
– Ethical data handling for both covert and overt investigations at CPA Investigations
– Securing sensitive and public information
- Compiling Evidence
– Organizing data collected from both covert and overt approaches
– Identifying patterns and discrepancies within the findings - Legal Considerations for Evidence Use
– Admissibility in court
– Protecting confidentiality and privacy rights
- Creating Investigation Reports
– Structure and content tailored for both covert and overt findings
– Importance of clarity and detail in CPA Investigations’ reports - Possible Outcomes
– Legal action recommendations
– Corporate policy changes
– Personal resolutions and outcomes
- Summary of Key Points
- Future Trends in Investigations
– Increasing use of technology in CPA Investigations
– Evolving legal frameworks impacting investigative practices
- Recommended literature
- Useful resources for further study
Yes, we gather comprehensive evidence that is admissible in court, supporting our clients in legal proceedings.
With over 35 years of experience, our success rate is high due to our expertise and extensive resources.
Yes, our skip tracing services are effective for locating debtors, witnesses, and other individuals crucial to your case.
Yes, we have the expertise and contacts to handle recovery cases both domestically and internationally.
Absolutely, our experts can design and install a customized security system that fits your specific business requirements.
Our document services include process serving various legal documents, court filings, and the preparation and swearing of affidavits that can be submitted to court as evidence if required.
Yes, we understand the need for flexibility and offer document services from 6 AM to 9 PM to accommodate various schedules.
Skip tracing involves locating hard-to-find individuals. We use advanced techniques and a network of contacts to find people quickly and accurately.
Yes, we provide 24/7 local monitoring services to ensure your property is protected at all times.
Our combination of investigative skill, the latest dive gear with full underwater communications, training, legal knowledge, and dedication to client satisfaction sets us apart in the field of recovery.
Our surveillance operations are conducted with the utmost discretion to ensure confidentiality and integrity in every case.
Our Recovery Unit specializes in asset recovery, fraud investigation, cadaver recovery, and the retrieval of stolen property.
You can access the footage remotely through our secure online portal or mobile app, giving you peace of mind from anywhere.
We install a range of alarm systems, including burglar alarms, fire alarms, and emergency alert systems tailored to your specific needs.
We use a combination of investigative techniques, legal processes, and our extensive network to recover assets effectively.
We specialize in various investigations, including corporate investigations, infidelity investigations, insurance fraud, and background checks.
Our in-house Commissioner ensures that affidavits are signed and sworn efficiently, speeding up the legal process for our clients.
We offer a variety of surveillance cameras, including indoor, outdoor, motion-activated, and night vision cameras to meet diverse security needs.
Our monitoring team responds immediately to any alarms, coordinating with local authorities as needed to ensure prompt action.
