Archive for Private Investigation
Congressional Committee prepares legislation on commercial data usage
Posted by: | CommentsA joint hearing was held yesterday by two subcommittees of the House Energy & Commerce Committee the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection and the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet. The hearing was on the topic of, “Exploring the Offline and Online Collection and Use of Consumer Information.”
The testimony and statements by members of the subcommittees were largely targeting how advertisers obtain and use consumer information. Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA), Chairman of the Communications, Technology and the Internet Subcommittee, has been interested in this topic for some time and is preparing legislation to provide a mechanism for consumers to control how some of the information on buying habits and other commercial data may be used.
Witnesses, including Chris Hoofnagle, cited instances of databases that collect health information (outside of HIPPA) and unlisted phone numbers. A specific Merlin list of phone information was cited. Chairman Boucher intends to introduce legislation in the next several weeks, so we’ll have to review it at that time. In the past, Boucher has suggested using only a light hand to regulate so as not to stifle business, and I recall he suggested opt-out for some issues. One suggestion made by Hoofnagle was to have a time limit on how long data can be maintained.
Here’s a link to the testimony.
Surveillance 101
Posted by: | CommentsSurveillance request are on the rise and having done some surviellance work I can say that the trick is blending in. I recently had to do a surveillance job in a tight knit community with narrow streets and kids with their parents out in the front yard playing amongst many of the homes on the block. After doing a drive thru I realized the big black suburan I was in stood out and had to abort.
The key is to look so ordinary that no one even knows you are there. Any little thing that stands out whether it is clothing, hair style, automobile etc that can draw some glance that would be memorable by a passer by or the target is troublesome.
Why hire a female P.I?
Posted by: | CommentsFemale sleuths are on the rise. Just as investigation techniques have changed dramatically over the years, so have private investigators. Once the world of retired policemen, private investigation has evolved along with the technology that drives it. Many tech-savvy women are entering this growing field.
While human surveillance is certainly still part of the job, much investigative work is done with technology. With the rise of the Internet, there are plenty of methods for information gathering. For instance, anyone can open an account on a social network and learn more about a target. Those with a private investigation license can access public databases such as the department of vehicle licensing. Much more research can be accomplished at a desk than in times past.
When female investigators do need to find evidence in the field, a high-powered camera can help them gather the information they need while remaining a safe distance from the target. Female investigators may even have an advantage in one area: many people tend to be more forthcoming in talking with a woman. Hi tech tools are leveling the playing field, revealing that women who are good with research and technology can be successful private investigators.
For more information on this topic, see http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008694399_femalesleuths01.html
Rules for Private Investigators Becoming More Stringent in Washington State
Posted by: | CommentsFor private investigators in the state of Washington, staying under cover is about to become more difficult. In a recent session, state legislators passed RCW 46.12.380(4), which requires the Department of Licensing (DOL) to notify the registered owner of a vehicle if an attorney or private investigator request the owner’s motor vehicle record under public disclosure.
The DOL is in the process of revising WAC 308-10 by adding sections 80-100. The proposed section 100 (13) restates the legislation above as a rule. This rule states that the DOL will notify a vehicle’s registered owner with the name, address and phone number of an attorney or private investigator requesting the information. This contact information must be made available to the vehicle’s registered owner in case they have questions.
Several private investigators have voiced concerns over these rules. These concerns include safety issues and the ability to do their job unimpeded. For investigators who do high volumes of DOL lookups, simply responding to inquiries from the vehicle owners will be costly considering the time involved. The rule has not yet been adopted, but likely will be as the legislature requires these actions.
