[Purpose-Based] How to Choose the Right Detective Agency: Finding the Perfect Investigator for Your Needs
When it comes to personal background checks or investigating infidelity, hiring a detective or private investigation agency can be incredibly helpful for obtaining information that is otherwise difficult to uncover on your own. However, most people don't frequently use such services, which can make it challenging to decide, "Which detective or agency is right for me?" In this article, we'll explain in detail how to choose a detective or investigation agency based on your specific needs.
Want to Request an Infidelity Investigation? What Kind of Detective or Agency Is Recommended?
If you're considering ending a marital relationship with your partner or want concrete evidence of infidelity, many people opt to hire a detective or private investigation agency for an infidelity investigation. While the conditions for hiring may vary from person to person, some might be stretching their budget to afford such services. Therefore, it's crucial to select a trustworthy detective agency for your infidelity investigation.
Focus on Advertising and Fee Structures
When searching for a detective or agency—especially if you're not accustomed to it—you might come across online ads boasting phrases like "100% success rate" or "Investigations guaranteed to succeed!" While these claims may seem attractive from a client's perspective, unfortunately, no detective agency can guarantee a 100% success rate.
That said, agencies with extensive experience and a long track record are likely to have the know-how and have dealt with a variety of cases, which means they may be more adaptable to irregular investigations.
Next, pay attention to fee structures that emphasize low prices, such as "Affordable rates" or "Lowest prices in the industry!" Many agencies promote themselves by being cheaper than competitors. However, they might compensate by charging high fees for optional services related to the investigation, or they may not allocate enough manpower, causing the investigation to drag on and ultimately increasing costs.
While it's certainly appealing to keep expenses low for an infidelity investigation—especially since such investigations are often requested spontaneously rather than planned—it's important to consider why a particular agency is cheap. Think about the total costs involved and choose a detective or agency that fits your budget accordingly.
Location Should Be Convenient for Meetings
Another important factor is the location of the detective or agency. Once you hire them, you'll likely need to visit their office multiple times for face-to-face meetings. Therefore, an agency that's too far from your usual places can become a burden.
Additionally, in cases of infidelity investigations, you might need to request an investigation in a location far from your current living area, such as "I want you to investigate my husband's long-term business trip destination." Before proceeding, check with the agency you're considering to see if they can conduct investigations in the desired area.
Want to Request a Background Check? What Kind of Detective or Agency Is Recommended?
While infidelity investigations are commonly requested from detectives and agencies in recent years, background checks—such as investigating a marriage partner or uncovering internal matters of close relatives that you can't examine yourself—are also frequent requests. Not only might you need to investigate a fiancé, but there are cases like "My unmarried mother has introduced a fiancé who seems suspicious," where a child requests an investigation for their parent.
Are There Legal Limits to What Can Be Investigated in a Background Check?
Before discussing what kind of detective or agency is recommended, it's important to understand that there are limits to what can be investigated in a background check. Information that can typically be uncovered includes educational background, employment history, social connections, romantic relationships, marital history, and upbringing. In rare cases, you might discover that someone who claimed to be single is actually married with children, which could prevent the continuation of an engagement. Background checks help protect the client's marital status.
Now, let's look at what cannot be investigated. Examples include obtaining someone's resident registration or identifying their personal details. Even if they're your fiancé, until you're legally married, they are considered "a third party," so you cannot investigate personal information like their residence. Additionally, investigations into nationality or community affiliations that could lead to discrimination are also off-limits. Such investigations are strictly prohibited by law, and accepting such requests is illegal. Even if you were to obtain such information, it would likely be considered unlawful.
What Makes a Detective or Agency Trustworthy?
Given the existence of "high-risk" and "highly illegal" investigations, it's best to avoid agencies that readily accept such requests for background checks.
To ensure you're hiring a trustworthy detective or agency, look for one that possesses a "Detective Agency License Certificate" (探偵業届出証明書). Previously, there were no specific conditions or laws for operating as a detective, but with the enforcement of the Detective Operations Law in 2007, detectives are now legally obligated to conduct investigations in accordance with the law. Detective agencies that have been issued this certificate do not engage in highly illegal investigations.
When choosing a detective, confirm whether they have a "Detective Agency License Certificate" or a "Detective Agency Registration Number." Most legitimate agencies display these on their websites or within their offices.
Want to Request a Behavioral Investigation? What Kind of Detective or Agency Is Recommended?
If you notice suspicious activities from an employee or a family member living far away, you might consider hiring a detective or agency for a behavioral investigation. Again, finding the right agency from among many can be challenging. Here are some criteria to consider:
Are They Skilled in Online Investigations?
Depending on the target of the investigation, there's an increasing need for detectives to investigate online activities, such as "There's suspicious behavior on social media," or "An employee is repeatedly posting malicious comments online." The basics of a detective's investigation involve interviews and surveillance. While these require considerable skill, online investigations demand expertise in a different area.
In such cases, it's advisable to choose a detective or agency with a strong track record in online investigations or one that excels in internet research. Online investigations involve linking known information—like the person's phone number or occupation—to their social media accounts. Again, investigations cannot delve into areas protected by personal information protection laws. Before making a decision, consult with the agency to understand what kind of investigations are possible, which will make your selection process smoother.
Conclusion
There are various ways to choose a detective or agency, such as having a good impression from phone interactions or positive reviews. However, it's crucial to be cautious of illegal investigations or meaningless inquiries that could result in losses for the client. To avoid such situations, remember that detective investigations are regulated by law, and any investigation that deviates from these regulations is illegal. Keep this in mind when selecting a detective or agency to ensure a safe and effective investigation.
Disclaimer
This column is a translation of content originally written in Japanese. Please note that the legal information and references mentioned here pertain specifically to the laws and regulations of Japan. If you are seeking legal advice or information relevant to your country, we recommend consulting a professional familiar with your local laws.
