Private investigations have changed over the years. Aided by new technology and research tools, private investigators are now able to investigate open and unsolved cases in far more effective and efficient ways than ever before. For both the PI and their clients, the use of modern technology offers great benefits and the potential for success with cases that may have otherwise gone unsolved. In this blog post, we will explore the various ways in which technology can benefit those who employ a private investigator to help them solve open or unsolved cases.

Technology has become an integral part of private investigations in recent years. Often, the most successful investigative strategies rely on available technology, tools, and research methods. For investigators tasked with solving unsolved cases, technology can be a major aid in uncovering the facts and minimizing case closure times. Here are some of the ways private investigators may employ technology to investigate open cases.

Surveillance Technology

Often, the best way to uncover evidence or information related to an unsolved case is to monitor its subjects or the environment in which it takes place. In the past, this was done by physically monitoring an area. Now, that same task can be achieved with the use of cameras, biometrics, and other surveillance devices.

Advanced surveillance technology, combined with the skills of a professional PI, gives an investigative team the ability to observe a target from a distance and record information from any given situation. On-the-job surveillance strategies such as these can be significantly more efficient and successful than traditional methods, making it easier to uncover leads in an investigation.

Computer-Based Research

These days, it takes seconds to access a wealth of information, thanks to the abundance of internet resources available. Whether a private investigator needs to know details about a person’s background, locate an address, or review historical data about a company, modern research methods can often provide the answers quickly and more efficiently than traditional methods.

Computer-based research can also be used to monitor trends related to a case, investigate a subject’s financial activities, or even tap into databases to look for relevant information. In short, the power of the internet allows a private investigator to have access to a much wider range of resources than would be available through offline methods.

Cloud-Based Storage

Cloud-based technology has revolutionized the way private investigators collect and share information. Nowadays, many firms are adopting cloud storage to store evidence, case files, and research materials, so all team members can have access to the information from anywhere.

With cloud-based storage, investigators can instantly and securely upload and share photos, audits, reports, and other artifacts with their clients, which makes the transfer of intelligence faster and more secure. Cloud-based file sharing also makes it very easy to collaborate remotely, with investigators able to securely access files without ever having to leave their office.

Social Media Analysis

Social media is a valuable resource for private investigators. By combing through information posted to various social networks, investigators can often uncover key facts about a case or even solve particularly baffling puzzles.

Social media analysis is a crucial part of open case investigations and can be incredibly effective for getting ideas about a person’s or company’s activities. Social media networks can also be used to discover how and why an incident happened and maybe even identify a suspect.