Private investors, also known as PIs, are highly-trained professionals who can help locate missing persons outside of police departments. They can cut much of the bureaucratic red tape and time restraints associated with other branches of the legal industry since they are privately hired. However, it is important to understand that they are not miracle workers and cannot guarantee success in every case. While experienced PIs will always be as thorough as possible for their clients, there are several reasons why private investigators can’t guarantee locating a loved one.
The Client Provides Limited or Incorrect Information
Private investigators rely on information to conduct their investigations, and much of that original information comes directly from the client. If there is limited or inaccurate information available, locating a loved one can be challenging. Wrong information altogether can send even a good PI on a wild goose chase and extend the case time which can potentially put the missing person in danger or otherwise, give them extra time to cover their tracks.
Time-Sensitive Situations Locating a Loved One
Missing person cases aren’t necessarily a lost cause if the person isn’t found within three days. However, statistics show that leads are the hottest within 48-72 hours of discovering a loved one is missing. Moreover, 94% of missing children are found within that 72-hour window. If a loved one has been missing for a long time, it can be difficult to locate them. The reason: the longer someone is missing, the more difficult it becomes, even for a professional, to track their whereabouts. An important note: unlike claims in Hollywood movies and popular crime shows, there is no waiting period required for reporting a missing person’s claim. This is especially true when it comes to children. Police departments are overworked, however, so they use a priority system, and your claim may not be at the top of their list.
Lack of Cooperation
According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), up to 92% of the 600,000 annual missing persons are found. However, many of those people found and not found simply disappear on their own accord. The individual reason varies but may include issues such as abuse concerns, exhaustion, or mental illness. In some cases, specific family members may be indifferent about the situation or show little interest in their loved one’s prompt recovery. If a missing person does not want to be found, or if family members are uncooperative, it can be challenging when locating a loved one.
Legal Restrictions Locating a Loved One
Private investigators can cut some bureaucratic red tape that police departments face, and they can often cut some corners to meet quick deadlines. However, they’re not There may be legal gods, and they still need to follow the law in all aspects. Therefore, there may be legal restrictions in place that prevent private investigators from accessing certain information or conducting certain types of investigations.
Be sure to contact us when you’re ready to hire a private investigator. We’ll do everything we can to locate your missing person. However, it is important to manage your expectations and be prepared for the possibility that your loved one may not be found.