A. See the four part answer:

I. Experience and Training as a Licensed Private Investigator: Investigators licensed by the state have extensive experience and training. Preparation as an investigator prior to licensure includes indoctrination on strategic structuring of investigative questions, the understanding of body language as well as the knowledge of objective interviewing techniques. These elements are critical in all investigations. Additionally, licensed investigators are required by law to maintain confidentiality and provide the results of the investigation only to their client and to the court.

II. Judicial System Recognition of Licensed Private Investigators: Our judicial system recognizes the skill and training of licensed private investigators. Courts readily admit investigators' results into evidence and the absence of bias is critical. A licensed private investigator is educated in the rules of evidence and in legal and court procedures.

III. Education, Testing, and Licensure of Licensed Private Investigators: With state licensure, California attests that the individual who is hired to conduct an investigation is able to obtain information regarding the "identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movement, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation, or character of any person" [Section 7521, Business & Professions Code]. i.e., The required education and experience also affirm the ability of a licensee to obtain information concerning an employer's employees "involving questions of integrity, honesty, breach of rules, or other standards of performance of job duties" [Section 7521, Business & Professions Code].

IV. State Oversight of Licensed Private Investigators: Licensed investigators are subject to state oversight by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security & Investigative Services. Applicants for licensure are required to have performed a minimum of 6000 hours of supervised experience, undergo a background check, and submit to state and federal fingerprint checks. Successful completion of a state exam is mandated by law to obtain a private investigator license.

2. How much will it cost?    Top

A. Services are billed on an hourly basis. The more information you provide to us, such as "Last Known Address", "Social Security Number" or "Date of Birth", the faster we can identify the subject of your investigation, thus significantly reducing our time and your cost. Also keep in mind, names like "John Smith" are considered common names and therefore take longer to identify due to the potential high volume of records.

3. How do you handle "CONFIDENTIAL" matters?   Top

A. We are sensitive to the needs and concerns of our clients. We take every measure to ensure the security and the confidentiality of our findings. All case related paperwork waste is cross-shredded to insure maximum protection.