The Five Most Dangerous Private Investigation Assignments

Posted by Pamela S. on Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

The average person thinks that private investigation is a dangerous business. Much of the time we are doing the same kind of thing many business people do; familiarizing ourselves with the file, conducting research, writing reports. It may not be like the movie Chinatown, but it can get nasty out there.

 

Domestic Investigations

A lot of private investigators shy away from following cheating spouses. Many of us prefer the less emotional type of work, such as corporate or insurance investigations, or security. Often the smaller agencies and new investigators take on domestic investigations. It’s not as easy as it seems. Just as law enforcement personnel know that a domestic call can be dangerous, so it is in the world of private investigation. When emotions are high, people can lose control. It may not be the P.I. who gets punched out, or worse, but the results of this type of investigation can lead to violence if not handled properly.

Surveillance in Cities with a High Crime Rate

When people think of dangerous cities, places like New York, Newark, NJ, or viagra canadian pharmacy Miami, FL are some that come to mind. You may be surprised at some of the cities listed in the top ten.
In 2011, the FBI compiled a list of the ten most dangerous cities. Conducting surveillance in any of these cities would be a challenge:
1. Flint, Mich.
2. Detroit, Mich.
3. St. Louis, Mo
4. Oakland, Calif.
5. Memphis, Tenn.
6. Little Rock, Ark.
7. Birmingham, Ala.
8. Atlanta, Ga.
9. Baltimore, Md.
10. Stockton, Calif.

Surveillance in Dangerous Areas

Even in the safest cities, or towns, there are places where you wouldn’t want to go after dark, or even during the day. Private investigators have to conduct surveillance in stairwells, underground parking areas and dangerous housing projects. Gangs are keeping an eye out for anyone who looks like they don’t belong in their ‘hood, and an investigator can become a target.

Mobile Surveillance

Most private investigators conduct surveillance and the biggest danger comes from being on the road. Vehicle accidents probably injure or kill more private investigators than any other incident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010, there were 30,196 fatalities from motor vehicle accidents across the nation. When you spend most of your life on the road, your chances go up. Private investigators are multitasking while driving. They have to watch the subject, surrounding traffic, and perform maneuvers so that they don’t lose their subject or get caught. They often work long hours and suffer from sleep deprivation, which is one of the most common causes of accidents.

Undercover Investigations

When a private

investigator goes undercover, it is often to determine whether an employee, or employees are conducting illegal activities, such as theft or drug dealing while in the workplace. An undercover P.I. doesn’t have the same kind of protection as a police officer, and they can be placed in real danger. While undercover, an investigator has to hang out with some unsavory types. If their real identity is ever uncovered, the consequences could be deadly.

 

Former FBI Assistant Director Tom Sheer has recruited the best from the FBI, DEA, IRS and Secret Service to build a formidable team at Sheer Investigations. Our private investigators have the sensitivity and experience to handle the most delicate investigations.