What do investigators have access to?

Asked by: Felix Kling  |  Last update: July 19, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (32 votes)

Investigators have access to databases and records that may not be readily available to legal professionals. Whether it's hidden assets, criminal histories, or social media profiles, private investigators can retrieve valuable data that strengthens a legal case.

What do private investigators get access to?

They can gather a large volume of personal data on people, including addresses, aliases, birthdates, marriages and divorces, phone numbers, family members, etc.

Can investigators get text messages?

State courts have split on the issue. Ohio's Supreme Court has ruled that police need a warrant to view the contents of cell phones of people who've been arrested, including texts. But the California Supreme Court has said no warrant is needed. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2010 declined to clear up the matter.

What do security clearance investigators have access to?

This means that investigators can access any and all information about you, including sealed records, juvenile records, expunged records, and medical records. Once you complete the ESPQ, the document is sent to the Defense Security Service (DSS) (formerly the Defense Investigative Service (DIS)).

What do criminal investigators see?

Crime scene investigators collect evidence such as fingerprints, footprints, tire tracks, blood and other body fluids, hairs, fibers and fire debris. NIJ funds projects to improve: Identification of blood and other body fluids at the scene. Field detection of drugs and explosives.

What Do Security Clearance Investigators Have Access To? - SecurityFirstCorp.com

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What can a detective find out about you?

101 Things a Private Investigator Can Do
  • Find a current address.
  • Find historical addresses.
  • Find a date of birth.
  • Identify known aliases.
  • Identify and/or confirm a Social Security number.
  • Locate birth records.
  • Locate death records.
  • Locate marriage records.

What does an investigator look for?

Typical Day for a Criminal Investigator

However, some common tasks include: Crime Scene Investigation: Gathering and preserving evidence at crime scenes, which can include photographing the scene, collecting fingerprints or DNA, and documenting observations.

Do background investigators check internet history?

So, unless someone hacks into your account, they cannot see your history of internet searches. But even if your search information won't show up on a background check, experts recommend deleting the data that search engines gather about you as a way to protect your privacy in a more general sense.

Can a security clearance investigation get you in trouble?

Disclosure of Criminal Activity

These more common violations are generally not reported to law enforcement by security clearance authorities. However, serious crimes that are disclosed during a security clearance interview and/or polygraph examination may be reported to law enforcement.

Do investigations show up on background checks?

Depends how deep the background check is but in most cases no.

Can investigators retrieve deleted text messages?

Live and deleted text messages are the most popular form of cell phone evidence recovered and admitted in civil and criminal cases today. Text message forensics is the science of recovering the evidence they hold for admission into the court record for adjudication of disputes.

Can investigators track your phone?

In most jurisdictions, private investigators can track a cell phone only with the consent of the device owner. For example, a parent might authorize tracking of their child's phone, or an employer might monitor company-owned devices used by employees.

Are text messages considered evidence?

Yes, text messages can be used in court. This is because they're considered electronic records of dialogue. However, they must meet several requirements before being entered as court evidence.

How to outsmart a private investigator?

How to Outsmart the Private Investigator Watching You
  1. Playing "Spot the Stranger": ...
  2. Enlisting the Help of a Child: ...
  3. Fake Medical Devices: ...
  4. Hermit Mode (Hiding at Home): ...
  5. Changing Routine and Patterns: ...
  6. Using Disguises: ...
  7. Blending in with Crowds: ...
  8. Using Counter-Surveillance Techniques:

Can a private investigator see internet history?

Investigators can recover deleted files, examine browser history, and analyze email communication. They use specialized software to create forensic images of devices, ensuring the integrity of the evidence.

Can a pi put a tracker on a car?

An investigator license permits an investigator to follow someone. Once it is clear that the reason is legal and they have no intention to hurt someone, a private investigator can put a GPS tracker on a vehicle or belongings.

What is the Top Secret background check?

Credit and criminal history checks will be conducted on all applicants. For a Top Secret security clearance, the background investigation includes additional record checks which can verify citizenship for the applicant and family members, verification of birth, education, employment history, and military history.

What will disqualify you from a secret clearance?

What can disqualify you? You are not a U.S. citizen. You were dishonorably discharged from the military. You are currently involved in illegal drug use.

Does security clearance check your phone?

For what it's worth, security clearance background investigators also don't bug phones or conduct surveillance on applicants, so you can rest a little easier knowing your every move isn't necessarily being watched.

Can background checks see text messages?

While it is true that security clearance investigators can dig deeply into all the financial, personal, and social aspects of your life, your text messages, and private online accounts are safe, for now.

Can the government see my deleted search history?

Once you delete your search history from your device, it's typically no longer accessible to the police. However, if they obtain a warrant, they may be able to access records of your search engine and browser history from your internet provider or another third-party source.

What shows up on an FBI background check?

The FBI background check will include a comprehensive criminal record check against the FBI's national database, which will include arrest and conviction history, as well as traffic violations and even parking tickets.

How to know if you are being watched by a private investigator?

1. Repeated Sightings of the Same Person or Vehicle
  • Someone Paying Close Attention to You in Public. ...
  • Unexplained Vehicles Near Your Home. ...
  • Vehicles Following You on the Road. ...
  • Unusual Activity Around Your Home or Workplace. ...
  • Being Approached by Strangers Asking Odd Questions. ...
  • Strange Noises or Interference on Your Phone.

What should investigators be cautious of?

Exposure to infectious human blood or other body fluids, chemicals and other hazards associated with sharp objects such as broken glass and hypodermic needles are inherent risks associated with crime scene investigations and evidence collection.

What are the 7 steps of investigation?

These are known as the 7 S's of crime scene investigation.
  • Secure the Scene.
  • Separate the Witnesses.
  • Scan the Scene.
  • See the Scene.
  • Sketch the Scene.
  • Search for Evidence.
  • Secure and Collect Evidence.