Private investigators are people, who are sometimes ex-police officers or individuals that have some other law enforcement or investigative experience, that are hired by a person or organization to investigate some issue, usually in an attempt to gather supportive evidence of a suspected act.
Suspicion of adultery is a common reason for the hiring of a private investigator. Adultery is where a married person carries on an intimate relationship with someone other than their spouse.
Adultery can be a punishable crime that is considered not just illegal, but immoral, going against the vows of marriage. Private investigators are paid to follow the accused person to see what they are really up to. These investigators usually work odd hours so that they can run surveillance on the people they have been paid to watch.
However, peeping in on suspected adulterers isn't all a private investigator does. They are also hired in some states to serve legal documents such as subpoenas and summons to the public. In some countries, private investigators are very commonly used to help solve crimes due to an understaffed police department, and in some countries private investigators are only allowed to be hired in fraud cases.
Private investigators have become a well-integrated part of American culture. Today, it's not unusual to see a reality TV show based solely upon a private investigator following a suspected cheating spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend.
Most states require that private investigators be licensed. The state of California, for example, makes sure that their private investigators pass a series of tests, are over the age of 18, have a police science background, pass a criminal background check, pass the requirements for a firearm permit, and cannot be a felon.
California has one of the most stringent standards for private investigators and is one of the best places to hire an investigator because of the stringent standards they are required to pass.
If you have a problem that the local police force is unable or unwilling to assist you with (such as a suspected cheating spouse), give your local private investigation service a call.
Wescott Investigative Services (http://wescottinvestigations.com) is a Redding private investigator office serving the public -- whether business, government, or private citizen -- with comprehensive and professional investigative services. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.