Can You Use A Private Investigator To Find A Missing Person?

If you're looking for a missing person, you may be wondering if you can hire a private investigator (PI) to help you find them. Some people with missing loved ones do turn to private investigators in the hope of getting more information.

In some cases, hiring a PI is beneficial, but every case is different and there is no guarantee. If you are considering hiring a PI to look for somebody you care about, here's what you need to know.

Private Investigators Have Access to Resources

First, it's important to understand that PIs are not law enforcement officers. They cannot make arrests or access certain databases that only the police have access to.

That said, PIs do have some tools and resources that the average person does not have. They may be able to access public records that are not available online. They are also able to travel to get records you may be unable to obtain.

Private Investigators Have Connections

PIs may have connections with other professionals, such as process servers or skip tracers, who can help them locate people. They also network with other PIs to share information about cases.

These types of social connections are beneficial for a missing person case because they may be able to reach out to people who have a better understanding of a location or subculture.

Additionally, many PIs were formerly police officers. This means they can approach each case from the perspective of law enforcement, which can offer a different mindset as well as potential police department connections.

These Cases Can Take Time

Missing person cases are not resolved right away in most cases. PIs may need time to follow leads and develop new ones. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the case, it may take weeks or even months to find new information.

Still, hiring a PI is often better than not seeking help at all. While police officers do a lot of work to find missing people, their departments do not necessarily have all the resources necessary to support every missing person case. Hiring a PI may lead to more information sooner.

A Private Investigator May Be Worth Your Time

PIs have resources that most others don't, which can help them find missing people. Of course, every case is different, and a PI cannot promise to find your missing loved one. Still, you may see strides in a case that you would not have seen otherwise.

Speak to a service like Lone Rock Investigations to learn more.

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