Blog Layout

What can a Private Investigator do and not do?

Luke • Apr 26, 2021
private investigator, cannot do, rules, pi's, ethics, phone hacking, social engineering, wiretapping, invading privacy

What can a Private Investigator / Detective do and not do?

Private investigators can utilise a variety of techniques to gather information for private and business clients. Depending on local laws the techniques used and information shared may need to meet certain requirements. This is usually based on a legitimate interest in the information balanced against the right to privacy of those investigated. However this is mitigated by those of interest being a public body or company who do not enjoy the same rights as private citizens. 


Public information and open source intelligence are generally accepted as legally obtained. This principle applies to surveillance where taking video or photos of areas accessible to the public where the person could reasonably expect privacy and fine to record. The area the agent is recording from also should be either a public place or with permission from the land owner.


Investigators cannot do any type of hacking, social engineering, fraud, lying or other types of trickery however again it is dependant on the laws of your local area. 


Audio recording tends to be trickier and highly specific on the circumstances. With some justification and evidence of proportionality may be possible depending on the location the device will be placed. Audio can be key to establishing facts in some cases but the possibility of legal backlash and the reputation of those involves may make it an untenable proposition.


A good source of information on ethics in private investigations is the Association of British Investigators (ABI) guidance. Operant Investigators Ltd have high standards of ethical practice in their work and so abide by the ABI's code of conduct. 



Static cameras and monitoring certain areas using CCTV are again highly specific to your area. Licensing may be needed such as for the UK an SIA license is required under law however if your recording using a mobile, camcorder or other devices this is fine. As such it is something most PI's can do but with some caveats. If your placing a static device on private property facing at or towards private property then this should be fine as long as the person's being recorded couldn't reasonably expect privacy i.e. areas that can be seen from the road or another residence.


Wiretapping and phone monitoring cannot be done by private investigators under the cast majority of circumstances. Recording a phone conversation can be done with 1 parties or consent or just by informing the other party but like most things mentioned on this post it is dependant on the local laws again. Some countries and states require 2 party consent.


There are a variety of tactics and techniques private investigators can employ they are continuously evolving. As such it is impossible to mention everything a PI can and cannot do. In the UK a PI can do everything a private citizen can and is afforded no additional rights or access. This is different in the US and some countries however generally speaking a PI can do everything a citizen can under the local laws. They usually have greater knowledge, access and critical thinking abilities which is what you pay for.


 Proportionality, reasonable expectations of privacy, legitimate interests and ethics should be thought about and discussed prior to work being completed. Following a small set of guidelines and principles along with the expertise of a private investigator should ensure compliance. 


private investigator desk, computer, PI software, investigation
26 Feb, 2023
A trained Private Investigator with years of experience reveals the 3 things you must know about Open Source Intelligence in the context of Private Investigations.
real investigator report, private investigator report, photographs, document, binder
by Grant 09 Nov, 2022
How do Private Investigators find the information you are looking for? A detective working with Operant Investigators gives details on how OSINT provides significant data points for investigators.
private investigators desk, private investigator computer, monitor, desk, software
by Grant 18 Aug, 2022
To understand investigations you must understand OSINT, to understand it you need to know the 5 reasons why it is critical. All Private Investigators use it, this is why.
05 Mar, 2022
What types of overt photography do Private Investigators engage in and what equipment do they use?
17 Jan, 2022
A common problem all agents encounter, especially so in cities is the problem of parking. A good parking location for a vehicle is essential in ensuring line of sight (LOS) and gathering recordings behind tint or disguised. Now you may be thinking, you would solve this problem through foot surveillance. This isn't always helpful, residential areas may not have many people on foot nearby, there may be nowhere to sit or bled in and a host of other reasons may want your bottom firmly planted in a car seat for this one. So you arrive or even better, as part of a recce (reconnaissance) or planning, you notice a parking problem. I find it helpful to break up the different problems into categories, I will list the types of scenarios. 2 Primary types of areas Urban - City or Town Rural - Villages, farms, greenery or forests Primary types of problems No LOS - Cannot observe the property or points of egress LOS but too distant - Cannot record of observe with any accuracy or with the level of responsiveness needed LOS but blocked - Your vision is obstructed temporarily Too close - The risk of exposure is too high and no places further away are available Primary causes of problems Temporary blockage by vehicle - A behemoth has just parked in your LOS Double yellow lines - No parking here Single yellow lines - Restricted at certain times, they will always be the times you need to be their All spaces are in use - The most frequent issue Moved too many times already - You've been moving around frequently and are reaching a point where further movement between spaces will compromise the surveillance A mixture - A mix of the above It is incredibly frustrating when your turn up to perform your surveillance and have nowhere to park. You know the client will not be happy and your stuck in a tough spot. Parking for private investigators is an essential part of the work and for some cases is strictly required to ensure good results.
man watching, investigator, private investigator, covert surveillance, car
by Grant White 25 Sept, 2021
Who is able to hire a Private Investigator in the UK? Is it legal?
whatsapp, sherlock, investigator, glass, messaging, private investigator
by Grant White 25 Sept, 2021
Can a Private Investigator access whatsapp messages? Can they see your private messages?
by Grant White 18 Sept, 2021
How much does a Private Investigator charges for their services, what kind of fees can you expect and what will the cost be?
by Grant White 18 Sept, 2021
Many people ask: "What do private investigators get hired for?" So, we've compiled a list: What do private investigators get hired for? 1. Surveillance. 2. Finding addresses. 3. Finding someone. 4. Verifying information. 5. Gathering intelligence for further action. However, this is not an exhaustive list of what a private investigator can do. There are many different applications and benefits of hiring a private investigator. Here are some of the benefits of hiring a private investigator: 1. Save money - Instead of dedicating an in-house employee to do the job, a quick and easy way would be to hire a PI short term to get the job done properly. 2. Save time - Time is money; private investigators investigate for a living, they can do the job quickly, professionally, and accurately getting the best results. The term 'Private Investigator is not that specific', but rather an umbrella term for people that act in the area of investigation - each with varying skill-sets and specialisations. Here are some of he common skill-sets a private investigator may specialise in. 1. Financial & Cryptocurrency investigations. 2. Business intelligence. 3. Surveillance. 4. Social engineering. 5. Tracing. 6. Fraud. 7. Background checks. 8. Employee absenteeism. 9. Property. 10. Company checks. Sometimes private investigators are picking up the pieces of a previous investigation, and can include many of these above listed investigations in one case.
08 Sept, 2021
The penal code review in France which made Private Investigator use in civil proceedings legal.
Show More
Share by: