An old case is given new light, but is it causing more harm than good?
Adnan Syed (Source: Pajiba)
People who listen to podcasts or its audio equivalent may already be aware of the newest podcast to enrapture a passionate and vocal audience. Serial, a spin-off of This American Life showcases long form “true” stories told in an episodic structure.
Sarah Keonig (Source: NPR)
It’s first outing dissects the 1999 killing of Baltimore teen Hae Min-Lee, and the controversial court ruling of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, charged guilty for her murder. Sarah Keonig, long-time NPR correspondent is running the show.  All the information is filtered through her lens from which the viewers seek answers to the many looming questions of this complicated case. Week in and week out, listeners follow every word as she delves into her own investigation of the case, with audiences yearning for new nuggets of information, constantly swaying their internal dialogue from guilty to not guilty based upon her findings. This information is packaged in such a way that according to news sources is said to leave you “salivating for more”.
Adnan and Hae Min (Source: Patheos)
While this makes for rapturous entertainment, there remains a significant difference to her approach as opposed to what a licensed investigator would do. For instance, much of the information given back to the listeners is quite scatter-shot, and purposefully so. Each episode hones in on a particular aspect of the case, without real regard for a timeline and the most significant findings. This was done on purpose, in true crime fashion, as the creators are forming a narrative for the receiver to be most compelled by.
Holding off on various findings till the “moment” is right, would not occur with private investigators. PI’s wouldn’t withhold information from their client without a sound reason. In true crime, crafting an engaging narrative and structure can be more important then the content itself. Which is where the impasse occurs. Licensed investigation acts as a third party objective truth seeker. Someone without bias for the people or story so they can produce unbiased facts and evidence to best solve the case and provide answers.
So while Koenig’s program remains endlessly fascinating, and no matter the outcome she deserves praise for shedding light on a case that needed to be looked into. There is a place for this type of storytelling and investigation methodology. However, even for a case that is still an on-going investigation for Keonig, her manipulation of the audience will remain a divide for a story teller like herself, and the licensed professionals who softly provide harder information on behalf of the client.
As of this posting Ebola is continuing to rear its contagious head. Reports of that sort usually deal with news bit and investigations as to how you can prevent forest fires getting sick yourself. Not that those stories lack significance, but we aren’t given the full picture.
Besides the nurses, doctors, and medical professionals who are on the front-lines so to speak, it is more likely that the so-called “disease detectives” are most responsible for stopping the spread of the virus.
Though some may have a background in science and virology, the methods for catching this invisible killer are decidedly through time-tested detective work.
So when Ebola tested positive for Dallas resident Thomas Duncan, investigative teams were dispatch to the scene.
As opposed to microscopes and running bacterial experiments, these particular detectives duties comes from interviewing potential infected individuals. Halting further spread involves working backwards through a process call contact tracing. This method beings with locating people within the Ebola patient’s (or this area patient zero) sphere of influence. From there they would be sorted into those who had most contact with the sick, especially after he/she began showing symptoms.
The headache of the contract tracing family tree. (Source: Huffington Post)
From there they will be monitored for a period of three weeks. This helps too quickly isolate the infected should symptoms arrive.
Though a seemingly antiquated (not to mention complicated) system, it has shown to be effective in combating the virus. Nigeria is one such example, with health officials going through methodical contract tracing measures after a Liberian man was visibly sick on a flight to Laos. Though the process wasn’t easy, (with as many as 900 contacts and 18,500 check-in visits) The results speak for themselves with no new cases in 30 days and the CDC declaring Ebola is officially contained in the populous African country.
Similarly private investigators have utilized such processes for various scenarios. From a missing person to background checks, private investigators need certain information in order to solve the case. Being detail-oriented, methodical, and the ability to obtain information from primary sources (interviewing those directly or indirectly related). It’s all in a days work for a detective of any sort, where ones method may not be as “cool” or gadget filled as the movies would make one believe, but evoking the theory of Occam’s Razor has helped solved cases and save lives.
We’ve all seen the shows.  From the numerous programs that use “pawn” with cheeky delight, to its original incarnation Antique Roadshow, Having that “priceless” item is easier dreamt then done. One way you could go about verifying your future fortunes is through a private investigator.
Utilizing PI services for such items can help locating long thought gone treasures.  Take this example, where a 1967 Jaguar E-type convertible, stolen almost 50 years ago, was finally recovered en transit to the Netherlands.  But recovering lost or stolen assets is only one option for vintage goods.
Often with these vintage commodities (such as cars), it can prove difficult to verify specifics which would indicate value (such as year, vin numbers, other markers) so hiring a professional in these scenarios would prove a worthy option.
Another example includes valuable works of art. Â These pieces have a very specific reach, both in the crime world and the art world. Â Stolen art is an upsetting trend, with as much as 6 billion in recent annual losses. Â To combat this, the government has even put together an art crime team, consisting of agents and specialists responsible for investigating cultural property theft (think a 21st century version of The Monuments Men).
Based on the story of the recovery of the largest art theft in history (Source: Wiki Commons)
More often though, it is the private detectives being sought after for art recovery, inquiries, and investigation. Â Because of the international recognition of some of these pieces, and the global aspects of black market art exchanges, PI’s will often collaborate with government organizations and various art communities. Â This provides additional challenges as one must deal with international laws and practices for several countries.
Fictional recreation of art specialists PI’s (Swords optional) (Source: Fanpop)
Besides lost art recovery, PI specialists have been used to verify if a piece is authentic or forged, even mediating the art buying process between two parties.
These methods can also be transferred to locating/verifying other antique goods, such as furniture, firearms, books etcetera. Â Basically, if a good has value or can be considered a “collector’s item”, chances are the underbelly of society will seek to steal it or copy it. Â Which means private investigators will continue to be assistance to those who seek authenticity, as well as a combatant for those thieves who don’t.
PI’s: Providing truth, justice, and the way of authenticating cultural artifacts.
Private Investigators have been hired for a variety of reasons. Â Most often, the public thinks this takes the form of solving “cases” such as infiltrating organizations, finding information on individuals, all while using Holmesian powers of deduction. In reality, investigators can and have been used for a variety of specified occasions.
Here are a few intriguing examples:
Secret Shopper – A secret shopper or mystery shopper is typically hired by businesses to investigate it’s employees and their treatment of customers. Â Investigators are hired for their professionalism, and impartiality. Â Customers giving their unbiased opinion can often only be achieved through methods such as these. Legally, some states require private investigator status in order to be a mystery shopper. Â Another bonus is a private investigator’s ability to legally gather evidence, providing data and reports of his/her findings upon the investigations conclusion.
Finding Birth Parents – Though modern day media has allowed people to find others themselves, sometimes you need to bring in the big magnifying glasses. Â Private Investigators have more means, resources, and know-how to find the people once thought lost. Â PI may use different methods in cases like these because instead of looking for people not wanting to be found, you are searching for someone whose information is dated or vanished. Â Besides finding long lost relatives, other peculiar cases have cropped up, from locating lost pets, to inspiring teachers.
Locating Items – This can take the form of birth, death, and legal records. Â Another common reason includes unclaimed assets, which can stem from safety deposit boxes or bank accounts.
Finding Facebook – Yes PI’s have been hired to locate a person’s social media profile. Â Usually this is done by employers seeking out information on potential hires.
Historical Findings – From finding historical news footage, to historical property holdings, private investigators often become a historian sleuth of sorts in order to find information or items from days of yore.
Obviously this is just the tip of the investigative iceberg, and a PI’s services can be as wide-spread and diverse as the people who desire such services.
The National Football League (NFL), has long sustained a period of growth and dominance. Â In the past 20 years, we’ve seen American football replace baseball as America’s national pastime. Â Even with flare-ups and controversies like questionable team names, spy-gates, lock-outs, and concussions, the “teflon league” continues to draw in record numbers. Â The NFL’s weekly game format, media-friendly structure, and fantasy playability has proven to be a perfect fit in today’s digital world. Â Alas, this most recent scandal may put a chink in the once pristine, family-friendly armor, and its ripple effects could be felt by the football organization for a long time.
The Ray Rice scandal, which included video footage of the Baltimore Ravens star in the aftermath of Ray beating his fiance (now wife) unconscious.  This action was initially given a two game ban by the league, as approved by NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell.  However, in today’s visual society the NFL found itself on the other-side of scrutiny when a second, more graphic video went viral.  As of this posting, the league and commissioner have been put under the microscope from the same outlets and social media platforms that have previously been a boon for the professional sports organization.
Some are calling for Goodell’s resignation, others want reform for the league, or at least question the unyielding power the heads of the NFL seem to have. The PR train is in full swing down at NFL HQ, with Goodell having recently hired an independent private investigator to ease tensions and exonerate himself. Former FBI director Robert Muller has been involved in investigations from 9/11 to the Boston marathon bombings, thus is well aware of stakes and sensitivity, while his track record provides credibility for public.
NFL- aka No Free Life-lines, even if your one of the most powerful sports organizations on the planet. (Source: NFL.com)
However savvy it may be to save face by hiring a private investigator now, by waiting till this unfortunate event became a media frenzy, they have only hurt their brand, image, and reputation. This will certainly cost them millions, and would have proven a much wiser move to seek out an investigator back in February, when the incident first occurred.
Imagine what a little due diligence could have done for the organization. Â By hiring a PI in the Spring, they would have saved themselves the scandal this second video caused.
Though private investigators wouldn’t have access to the second video, from finding information on public record, and working with the NFL, much could be derived. Â For instance, points of discussion with this case has rarely focused on the police dept. or hotel involved. Â Both could be complicit in the mishandling of evidence and charges against the accused. Â A private investigator could seek out the corruption both externally and internally, which could lead to a more proficient, less scandal plagued organization.
The NFL is unlike anythings else. Â A powerful, (technically) non-profit that has a monopoly on the market, and a demand for it’s product that’s showing no signs of slowing down. Â Without a checks and balances system, the NFL has become a government onto itself, so using a private investigator in times of crisis would help the NFL become a more stable, consistent presence for all athletes and sports fans alike.
Photo by Nicolas Halftermeyer (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons
Today’s private investigators seem to have it pretty easy compared to those of the past — cell phones, security cameras, and social media accounts are often used to obtain evidence for investigations. Gone are the days when private eyes had to flip through physical documents and phone directories, or find the location of someone with an actual map. And now, thanks to the advancements in drone technology, some investigators are opting to do away with physical surveillance.
A drone, or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is a remote controlled aircraft. Although they have been around for several years, flying personal UAVs is a relatively new hobby. These small crafts have been all over the media lately, even earning the endorsement of Martha Stewart. Like Stewart, many people use drones to take beautiful aerial photos. The market for drones is constantly expanding, and tech companies are keeping pace. Some drones can record a live feed, detect heat, or are small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand. Others can fly four several hours at a time, scanning entire cities in a day.
Due to their discreet nature, private eyes have begun using drones to catch cheating spouses or dishonest employees. Instead of observing someone on foot for hours, investigators can use a drone to get a bird’s eye view of a suspect and collect video evidence. Using a drone is also safer for an investigator and are cheaper than chartering a plane or helicopter. A recent New York Post article featured a private investigator whose specialty is drones. According to the article, the investigator had to use a drone to record evidence of insurance fraud instead of physically surveying the suspect’s property for fear of being shot.
Because of their invasive capabilities, many are questioning the ethics of drone usage, including U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. Schumer recently called for federal regulations on drones, even going as far as proposing a ban on drone usage by private investigators. The idea of anyone being able to purchase a surveillance drone and using it to record whomever and wherever they want is fairly unnerving. The use of personal drones is uncharted territory, filled with flimsy guidelines and little regulation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits the flying of UAVs for commercial use or payment. Drones are also not permitted to fly over heavily urban areas, and must alert control towers if they fly too close to an airport (FAA Website). Even so, investigators like the one featured in the Post article are still flying their drones.
Should we start expecting to see drones tailing us as we walk down the street? Probably not.
For now, most investigators are opting to stay on the ground and stick to their tried-and-true surveillance techniques. If evidence is gathered illegally, it may lose its value in court, and a private investigator could lose their credibility.
