What Does a Private Investigator Do: Main Roles & Responsibilities

Thinking about hiring a private investigator but not exactly sure what they do? You’re not alone. Many people have questions about the real work behind private investigations—especially with how it’s portrayed in movies and TV. In this post, we’ll break down the key roles and responsibilities of a private investigator, so you can decide with confidence whether hiring one is the right move for your situation.

What Does a Private Investigator Do?

A private investigator (PI) is a licensed professional hired to uncover facts, gather evidence, and conduct detailed research on behalf of individuals, businesses, or legal teams. Their job often involves digging into information that is difficult for the average person to access, all while staying within the bounds of the law.

Here are some of the most common tasks a private investigator performs:

• Conducting Arizona background checks for individuals, businesses, or legal cases
• Locating missing persons, including runaways or estranged family members
• Skip tracing -finding individuals who have intentionally gone off the grid, often for legal or financial reasons (e.g., debtors, witnesses, or former tenants)
• Investigating suspected fraud – identity theft or financial frauds
• Surveillance and monitoring for infidelity, custody disputes, or employee misconduct
• Interviewing witnesses and gathering statements to support legal cases
• Researching public records, court documents, and digital databases

Roles and Responsibilities of a Private Investigator

A private investigator’s responsibilities can vary depending on the type of case—but all licensed investigators are expected to follow a strict professional and legal code.

Here are some of the core roles, responsibilities and tasks a PI handles:

• Gathering credible evidence through surveillance, interviews, and background research
• Staying up to date with local and federal laws on surveillance, data privacy, and investigative practices
• Documenting findings in detailed written reports that may be used in court or during legal proceedings
• Testifying in court when their findings are used as part of a legal case
• Handling sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion and professionalism
• Collaborating with attorneys, law enforcement, or corporate clients depending on the investigation.

How Does a Private Investigator Acquire Credible Information?

Private investigators are skilled at finding information without drawing attention. They rely on a mix of experience, strategy, and patience to uncover details that aren’t easy to access.

Much of their work involves digging through court records, public databases, news archives, and government files. In missing person cases, they may also speak with friends, neighbors, coworkers, or family members to gather helpful leads.

Surveillance is another key part of a PI’s work. Whether they’re monitoring a person or place, it requires sharp focus, patience, and a careful approach. Most importantly, professional investigators always follow the law when conducting surveillance. They understand the legal boundaries and ensure that any evidence they gather is admissible and ethically obtained.

What are the Advantages of Hiring a Private Investigator?

Private investigators rely on their training, tools, and experience to get results—and that’s what you’re really paying for when you hire one. Here are some of the advantages of hiring a PI.

• They’re professionally trained to uncover information: The reason why you hire a private investigator is to uncover information you can’t easily find yourself. They’re trained to gather details using a variety of proven methods.
• They work within legal boundaries: Getting information is one thing—doing it legally is another. Private investigators follow the law, so any evidence they collect can be used in court.
• Their experience saves you time: Trying to run your own investigation can be overwhelming and time-consuming—especially if you’re not sure where to start. A private investigator can act quickly, follow the right leads, and build a clear action plan to resolve your case as efficiently as possible.

Why choose Cutty & Associates?

There is more confidence to be had in choosing a private investigator with the complement of training and experience you require for your needs. When it is privacy and professionalism you need, call Cutty & Associates. We are a team of expert private investigators in Phoenix, highly experienced in a range of investigation services, from child custody to Arizona background checks to missing persons.