CROSStrax

Great new article from Pursuit Magazine! Cutting corners in asset investigations may seem tempting but can risk your career and legal standing. A private investigator learned this firsthand when a client urged him to pretext a bank for financial records—an illegal move under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Instead, he used legal channels and uncovered $63,000 in hidden assets. The lesson? Stick to public records, understand jurisdictional laws, work with attorneys, and avoid anyone promising unrestricted financial access. Integrity ensures success. #PrivateInvestigation #PILife

Pursuit Magazine recently posed the question: "Virtual Employee Interviews: To Record or Not". Yes, modern tech makes it easy for corporate security pros to video-record suspect statements virtually. But, should you do it? There are benefits and drawbacks from recording employee interviews. If you choose to record employee statements, you MUST first seek authorization from your company’s legal counsel before ever hitting the record button. If you get that authorization, create a policy to decide how and when to record statements. You should also know the law in your state about recording consent. And of course, you should always have a witness present during your interviews and whenever you take statements. If you’re a security investigator, an HR rep who serves as the employee advocate is the best type of witness. HR will either make the sole decision for administrative action or they will make such decisions in conjunction with employee relations and/or legal. Read the whole story here: https://zurl.co/vCsEM #PILife

Pursuit Magazine recently posed the question: "Virtual Employee Interviews: To Record or Not". Yes, modern tech makes it easy for corporate security pros to video-record suspect statements virtually. But, should you do it? There are benefits and drawbacks from recording employee interviews. If you choose to record employee statements, you MUST first seek authorization from your company’s legal counsel before ever hitting the record button. If you get that authorization, create a policy to decide how and when to record statements. You should also know the law in your state about recording consent. And of course, you should always have a witness present during your interviews and whenever you take statements. If you’re a security investigator, an HR rep who serves as the employee advocate is the best type of witness. HR will either make the sole decision for administrative action or they will make such decisions in conjunction with employee relations and/or legal. Read the whole story here: https://zurl.co/vCsEM #PILife

Pursuit Magazine recently posed the question: "Virtual Employee Interviews: To Record or Not". Yes, modern tech makes it easy for corporate security pros to video-record suspect statements virtually. But, should you do it? https://zurl.co/RtmKg

Have you signed up yet? CROSStrax proudly offers membership in The Investigator Alliance, which: Connects firms with private investigators outside standard areas. Allows both parties the freedom to negotiate rates. Secures information sharing through the platform. Take advantage of this NO-COST way to expand your business and send and receive case assignments. Join today! https://zurl.co/XIrNK #PIBusiness #InvestigatorAlliance

This article, "Forensic Firearm Facts for Investigators" on Working PI helps in understanding proper terminology and forensic firearms identification. A common misconception is that “ballistics” refers to firearms evidence testing. In reality, ballistics is the study of projectiles in motion, while forensic firearms identification determines whether bullets or cartridge cases were fired from a specific weapon. Key firearm components include the cartridge case, primer, gunpowder, and bullet. Handgun parts like the breech face, firing pin, extractor, and barrel leave unique toolmarks that help identify firearms. Firearm examiners conduct function tests, document firearm characteristics, and use databases like NIBIN for investigative leads. Forensic examiners reach conclusions based on class and individual characteristics, determining whether a bullet was fired from a specific gun. Private investigators who grasp these principles can better assist attorneys, ensuring accurate case analysis and potentially exonerating the innocent. Understanding firearms evidence is a valuable skill in criminal investigations. Check out the entire article here: https://zurl.co/4UAus #PrivateInvestigators #Forensics

The Key to Efficient Criminal Defense Investigations Criminal defense investigations require uncovering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing reports—demanding work with no room for error. Without proper organization, cases can spiral into lost evidence, missed deadlines, and inaccurate reports. Case management tools can help by: ? Centralizing Data. Keep all case files, witness statements, and evidence in one secure place. ? Automating Tasks. Schedule interviews, track deadlines, and generate reports effortlessly. ? Enhancing Collaboration. Ensure investigators, attorneys, and stakeholders stay aligned. ? Securing Communications. Protect sensitive case details from unauthorized access. ? Improving Mobile Access. Work from anywhere with real-time updates. ? Customizing Workflows. Tailor processes to each unique investigation. A well-managed case can mean the difference between justice served and crucial details slipping through the cracks. #PrivateInvestigations #LegalDefense #CriminalDefenseInvestigations #CaseManagementSoftware

The article "Combatting Burnout and Preserving Joy as an Investigator" explains that: Private investigators face unique challenges, including the risk of burnout. Symptoms like: lack of motivation exhaustion poor performance Can stem from heavy caseloads and overextension. To combat burnout, self-care is crucial. Set clear work boundaries Learn to say no Dedicate time to rejuvenating activities like exercise or hobbies. Professional growth also plays a key role. Lifelong learning, networking, goal-setting, and diversifying caseloads can reinvigorate passion for the profession. Technology can enhance efficiency through tools for case management and organization, while genuine client connections foster purpose and fulfillment. Celebrating milestones and rewarding achievements helps maintain motivation. Ultimately: resilience self-awareness a commitment to growth are essential for sustaining a successful and fulfilling career as a private investigator. #PrivateInvestigatorTips #PrivateInvestigation #PITech (Full article is here: https://zurl.co/eNMs9 )

"Working Sexual Assault Cases" from @workingpi explains how to handle this difficult cases while protecting your mental state (and maintaining objectivity). https://zurl.co/88WQE #PrivateInvestigation #PrivateInvestigator

"How I Won an Epic Public Records Battle" by Mike Spencer offers some spot-on tips for handling FOIA requests. @pursuitmagazine #PrivateInvestigation #PILIfe #PublicRecords