Factual Investigations

Factual investigation is the overt acts of investigating, by a licensed investigator. We are experienced operators, including ex-police, contact us when you need a free quote, or phone 1300 966 103, you can email [email protected].

Factual investigations are about answering the questions of what, where, who, how, and why, and documenting the evidence located. This is done for both criminal and civil actions. The evidence gathered often consists of affidavits (statements), which is the written recollections of witnesses, compiled as a brief.

The best time to conduct a factual investigation, using a private investigator, private detective, is as close as possible to the time of the event, before memories fade, or become contaminated. For a traumatic event the memories may exist for a long time.

We record the how, what, where, when, who, before it fades, or memories change. Often, though, for matters such as defamation (libel, slander) the impact on the person it is directed against is greater than on others, so witness memories fade or get clouded.

Sometimes they simply accept what they read or heard as fact, and so the defamation, the slander, spreads. In some isolated communities there used to be a by-law about 'telling tales' because of the damage this can do.

Fraud investigations are generally factual in nature, and can be long and drawn out matters. The evidence needs to be documented, and followed to its conclusions. Money trails need to be shown. There is an inferred intent, the "intent to defraud", that must be 'proved'.

It is generally accepted that intent is actually a state of mind, and it can only be inferred from the surrounding circumstances, so therefore all surrounding circumstances, and possible defences, must be investigated. Fraud may either be a criminal matter, or a civil dispute.

The difference is in the level of evidence that must be reached, to prove it. A criminal matter generally has to reach 'beyond reasonable doubt'. A civil matter generally must reach 'balance of probability', a lower standard.

Child custody is another area where factual investigations, the taking of affidavits, is used, to gather evidence for the information of the court. It can also be an important area for divorce property settlement.

Workcover investigations, workplace injury claim investigation, especially in the early stages, are often factual investigations, also called circumstance investigations. It is necessary to document what has occurred, especially where someone has been injured, or killed, for a future court case.

This court case may be years after the event. You would hope that department WorkCover investigators would do a thorough task for death, or serious injury accidents, but this is not always the case. For the self insured this is even more important, because they are often in industries such as mining, with specific legislation, and obligations. There are also reporting requirements to share holders relating to lost time injuries.

Elder abuse investigation is often a factual investigation, where we document the observations of those around the abused elder. More rarely it is a surveillance investigation.

Traffic accident investigations can also require factual investigations, including scene examination. It is preferable to contact us before all the evidence has been removed. The Police often conduct cursory traffic accident examinations, and sometimes don't even record the details of all witnesses.

This can be crucial to a civil action years later, where blame is being allotted, and compensation sought. When you need assistance, you need a licensed, experienced, private investigator, call for a free quote. Use of a private investigator factual investigation is more common in civil actions, than criminal (except criminal defence matters).