MCR Investigations and Consulting FAQ’S

• Training and certification requirements for Private Investigator (PI's) vary from State to State. 
• However, ALL Private Investigators operating in California must have a Bureau of Security and Investigative Services license.  
• A minimum of 6,000 hours of investigation hours.
• Passing an extensive background investigation. 
• Completion of a formalized training program or on the job training from a Licensed PI and Qualified Manager. 
• When hiring a Private Investigator, always verify their license at www.bsis.ca.gov.

• Once a client hires a PI and signs a contract, the case between the client and the PI is confidential. However, the communication between a PI and a Client(s) is not the same under the law as attorney/client privilege.  
• Suppose a client confesses to a PI of committing a crime. In that case, a PI is not obligated to report this activity but can report it to Law Enforcement.  
• Clients need to be honest with their PI. Suppose a client misleads a PI or lies about the purpose of their hired investigation, i.e., to commit an illegal act, and your PI finds out. In that case, they will likely remove you as a client.

• PI’s have the authority under the law within the scope of their license to do the following:
• Surveillance
• Gathering Evidence
• Interviewing Witnesses
• Background Investigations
• Serving Legal Documents on Private Property
• Private Investigators must operate within the confines of the law and adhere to ethical and moral guidelines.  They cannot engage in illegal activities such as trespassing, wiretapping, or impersonating law enforcement.

It is important to note that PI’s should never guarantee specific results. The outcome of the investigation can depend on various factors, including complexity of the case, the availability of information, and the cooperation of individuals involved.  While PI’s can promise their best efforts, they cannot guarantee a particular outcome.  

"No results" in an investigation can indeed be informative and positive. It may indicate that the information sought is unavailable or that the case's circumstances are more complex than initially anticipated.