FAQ's:

These are questions people often ask when calling a private investigator for the first time:

1) How much will it cost to hire a private investigator?

2) I've never called a private investigator before. What things should I be aware of?

HOW MUCH WILL AN INVESTIGATION COST?

Nearly everyone asks about the price of having a private investigator conduct their investigation.
If the investigator is knows the time, date and hotel room number, it can be an easy question.
But of course, this seldom occurs.

Regardless of how effectively our private investigators manage their time and try to minimize
the expense, there are factors beyond our control, that create challenges and obstacles.

Here are questions to ask yourself, to better assess the ease/difficulty of your particular investigative needs:

For a SURVEILLANCE assignment:

1) Can your investigator view the premises/residence from a public place for a prolonged period of time, without risking detection?
2) Is there on-street parking? If not, how many exits are there, and how easy will it be for one private investigator to cover them?
Is one of those exits the most likely route the subject will take to leave the area?
3) Do you suspect the subject frequently misbehaves when away from the home?
4) Do you know much about the subject's schedule? Will you be able to contact your private investigator, in advance?
5) Do you know the names and address of subject's significant others/ hang-outs?

These factors and more can play a significant role in a private investigators chances of success.
At Discovery Services, our Massachusetts investigators have 18 years of experience handling
the challenges that may arise in your investigation. We have the experience and expertise
to jump any hurdles that might block other less resourceful detectives.

For a LOCATE/SKIP-TRACE assignment:

1) How old is the last known address for the person? How certain are you that the information is still valid?
2) Is there any reason for this person to intentionally hide their whereabouts?
3) Do you know much about their lifestyle/significant others/relatives/hangouts/personal interests
such as hobbies, memberships, professional associations etc.?

All these factors and more, play a part in determining the level of success.
But after all is said and done, it's the private investigator's experience that will serve you the best.

To maximize the results of an investigation, choose an investigator that will
make the most of time and resources.

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Request an investigation by starting here.

I've never called a private investigator before. What things should I be aware of?

To protect yourself from those private investigation agencies that lack the experience you need, verify your
private investigator actually has a valid, active license. Not just the owner of the agency, but that the person
who will be conducting your investigation, will be a licensed private investigator. You will likely find that most
"investigators" are unlicensed and are working under someone else's license.
At Discovery Services, our investigators are all licensed.

In Massachusetts, contact the State Police in Danvers MA at (978) 538-6128.
In Connecticut, contact the Department of Public Safety in Middletown CT at (860) 685-8190.
You may also be able to find out if any complaints have been made against a private investigator.

2) When you call our private investigators, be prepared to provide as much information as possible.
This will not only increase your chances of positive results in your investigation, but it will also save you money.
Our private investigators can do a lot with very little information, but we can do so much more when you take
the time to provide all the details.

3) Understand that there are certain circumstances beyond our control. But, because we are trained,
experienced private investigators, we know how to minimize the effect of these circumstances.
So, when you call us you'll be speaking with a compassionate investigator who understands your
situation and has the experience to help you design an investigation to your specific needs.

Private Investigators are not like the investigators you see on television.

To better understand the challenges facing real private investigators, consider these examples:

SURVEILLANCE:
Surveillance is not as easy as it appears.

If you stay directly behind the target, they may eventually notice a your investigator in their rear-view mirror.
If your investigator is spotted then you've drastically reduced your chance for success -today or anytime in the near future.
And, the subject now knows what your private investigators vehicle looks like.

So, what's the solution? Keep two or three vehicles behind the target? Sure, but then you might find yourself
behind an elderly person or someone else who drives slowly...while the subject speeds ahead.

When the subject drives through a yellow traffic signal that has now turned red...what do you do?
A trained professional private investigator knows what the most viable options are.

The point is: Surveillance can be a difficult thing to do...and Discovery Services
experienced private investigators can eliminate many of these obstacles.

Using a van for surveillance:
Private investigators on television often use van for conducting surveillance.
Certainly a van would be ideal if comfort was the primary goal, and not effectiveness.
Vans will always be easy to identify when the target looks in their rear-view mirror
because a van cannot "hide" while in traffic the way smaller vehicles can.

And, if you're following a smaller vehicle on a long trip, your van will need to refuel before the target vehicle does.

Of course, geographical location may also influence its effectiveness.
For instance, a van in a beach town during tourist season might blend in better that an automobile.

Children:
Anytime children are involved, present or even in the vicinity of a surveillance, a private investigator should take extra care.
An investigator must maintain complete discretion, so as not to cause undue concern.
That's why we reserve the right to use our experience and judgment regarding how and when evidence is obtained.

Because the bottom line is that no matter what your investigative needs,
public safety is the over-riding consideration in every circumstance.

The good news is that, if you are a concerned parent in need of a private investigator
to document a parent-child interaction, the possibilities for doing so are plentiful.
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Don't wait! Request an investigation by clicking here.

Call us for a free consultation today!

(413) 788-4988

"Get the Truth. Get the Proof."

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