The simplest answer is because you have a decision to make, and you need information before you can make that decision.

Some examples:

  • You think you or a family member are the victim of a crime. You’re not sure if you should contact the police, or maybe you do not want the potential publicity that can go with involving the police until you are sure.
  • You have reported a crime or missing person to the police, but you don’t feel they have the time to devote to help you now.
  • You might be a landlord needing a background check on a prospective tenant.
  • You want to verify if the person offering a business deal is legitimate before investing in their offer.
  • You suspect your business is being stolen from, but you aren’t sure.
  • You have been wrongly accused and need help getting your job, freedom or “good name” back, or
  • You could be too close to the problem and need the perspective of a professional, trained investigator that is confidential and unbiased.

We’ve conducted all of these investigations, and many more, and have gotten the information people needed to make their decisions on how to move their lives forward.

Basically, there are as many reasons to hire a private investigator as there are bad situations in which people can find themselves.

Time and Experience –

In most cases, there is no magic to information gathering. It’s likely that given enough time and patience you would be able to find out the information you need to move forward. However, most people cannot take the time and expend the effort needed when they are in the middle of a bad situation. Also, acting as an investigator could cause legal repercussions. But, most importantly, it’s quite possible that a simple mistake during an investigation could destroy any chance of a successful overcome.  

Hiring a private investigator who has the experience and can dedicate the time to your situation is often the quickest way to get you the information you need – and since “time is money,” hiring a private investigator can often be the least expensive way method of obtaining accurate and truthful information.

Privacy and Trust

Most states require private investigators to be licensed and conduct rigorous testing for a license to be issued.  In Oregon, the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) conducts the training and sets the standards for the State Police and all other state and local law enforcement agencies. DPSST also sets the standards, conducts testing and has complete oversight of Private Investigator licensing in Oregon.

Oregon law requires that private investigators “maintain their client’s confidentiality by not intentionally revealing or releasing information about their client to a third party without the consent of the client or a clear legal reason.”

Profession and Law

Oregon law makes it a Class B misdemeanor for any person to knowingly practice as an investigator without a license.

Oregon law defines an investigator as “a person who is a licensed investigator under ORS 703.430 (Issuance of license) and who engages in the business of obtaining or furnishing, or who solicits or accepts employment to obtain or furnish, information about:

  • Crimes or wrongs done or threatened against the United States or any state or territory of the United States;
  • The identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activities, movements, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation or character of any person;
  • The location, disposition or recovery of lost or stolen property;
  • The cause of or responsibility for fires, libels, losses, accidents, damages or injuries to persons or property; or
  • Evidence to be used before any court, board, officer, referee, arbitrator or investigation committee. [1997 c.870 §1; 2001 c.838 §1; 2005 c.613 §9]