Private Investigation Basics: Private Investigation Glossary

Private Investigation Basics

Private investigation basics covers the foundational concepts, legal boundaries, and standard practices that define the profession. This includes understanding what licensed investigators can and cannot do, how they gather information, and the types of cases they typically handle.

Clients who seek private investigators range from individuals verifying personal concerns to attorneys building case support and businesses conducting due diligence. A licensed PI operates within state law, using legal methods to locate people, document activity, and collect evidence that clients can act on with confidence.

Terms in this section

Private Investigator Private Detective Licensed Private Investigator Private Investigation Agency Investigative Consultant Investigation Report Case Intake Subject Of Investigation Claimant Witness Client Confidentiality Admissible Evidence Chain Of Custody Field Investigation Desktop Investigation Open-Source Investigation Court-Admissible Results Investigative Findings Surveillance Log Investigator Notes Affidavit Statement Of Facts Due Process Reasonable Expectation Of Privacy Consent Legal Boundaries Ethics In Private Investigation

Browse Private Investigation Basics Terms

Each term below links to a full definition with legal context and relevant Privin services.

Related Privin Services

Private Investigation Services →Surveillance Services →Background Checks →Person Locates →