Private investigations have occurred for centuries, but the way they are conducted has changed considerably. While the media has portrayed private investigators as trench-coat-wearing thrill seekers, that is not always the case. Private investigators have evolved in legal proceedings and in the technology they use daily. Investigators have always had one common goal though, which is to provide accurate information and closure for their clients. Let’s take a look at how the industry has changed over the years and what it looks like in today’s world.
Early History
The profession dates back to the 19th century when Eugene Vidocq created the foundation for private investigation by launching the first PI agency, The Office of Universal Information for Commerce and Industry. The Pinkerton National Detective Agency was one of the first agencies formed in the investigation industry that helped to establish more popularity around PIs.
Early in history, many fraudsters turned to private investigations in order to gain sensitive information. Bank information, personal habits of a partner, and more often ended up in the wrong hands. Since the industry was unregulated it was hard to stay within the laws which led to blackmailing, illegal activity, and strained relationships between PIs and other law enforcement.
In the beginning, PIs were employed by businesses to infiltrate labor unions or by law enforcement to help supplement their employment shortages. Sometimes this was a risky situation because the legal landscape was less defined and early investigators crossed necessary boundaries.
Media Influence
Movies and TV shows have portrayed PIs for many years as thrill seekers, rule breakers, and inaccurate portrayals of mental health issues (autism, OCD, neurodivergence, etc.). The media often exaggerates the actions of private investigators and shows things that PIs can not do in the real world. Common media portrayals like Magnum P.I., Elementary, psych, Monk, Sherlock, and Private Eyes are just a few that have stretched the truth to show that PIs break the laws and chase down harsh criminals.
Social media apps have also changed the way that the investigative industry operates. With more people sharing their personal lives on social media, it can be tempting for more people to dive deep into people’s personal information and backgrounds without any professional training. There is a delicate balance for PIs to integrate technology as well as human expertise. Even with more advanced tools, a seasoned investigator is what really makes the difference in a case. Even social media detectives will not be able to gather as much information as a professional PI.
Changed And Improved Technology
There are many technological tools that PIs have in their arsenal today. With these different devices, private investigators can now track the locations of vehicles and individuals more easily, conduct safer surveillance, dive into digital footprints, and track cyber crime. More online databases are available to the public and for private investigators. These online databases help private investigators gather intelligence quickly and fact-check anything they may have already gathered.
The Changing Legal Landscape
Legal regulations have also evolved over the years. Early private investigators often worked in a gray area of the law and used methods considered unethical. Modern investigators are held to a higher standard regarding laws and jurisdictions, which requires them to undergo training and further education. Private investigators must also be licensed in most states and regions to help negate legal issues.
Private Investigations Today
The investigation industry will continue to evolve as new technology comes into the world like Artificial Intelligence, facial recognition, and data analysis have helped to make investigations more efficient in our fast-paced world. More concerns about privacy will also impact how private investigators will be able to gather information in the future. While most PIs are committed to ethics, there may be concerns coming into the forefront with more online security.
Private investigations will continue to be important in our society no matter how much the industry changes. Surveillance and uncovering fraud are just a few things that help us to keep our businesses operational. Even as we learn more about the private investigation world, their goal will always be to provide you with accurate information.St. George Private Investigations is focused on providing crucial information to clients of all types. Our team wants you to have peace of mind about finances, relationships, and daily operations. Before you handle the investigation on your own, reach out to our experts to learn about our pricing and availability.