krofinapi

The Future of Private Investigation

2009-07-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

We don't know what the next few decades will foster in the private investigative industry but the growth trend is almost certainly going to continue.

More and more focus is being placed on the need to secure and develop quality information and it is quite probable that the growth of the private investigative industry will boom.

The professional private investigator will probably be utilized even more by American businesses, industries, and private citizens in technological ways that have not been considered up until now.

Deeper focus will be placed on the need for experts and specialists who will be called upon to perform narrow specialty investigations.

The general private investigative service is a vanishing breed.

The need to specialize will be made clear as more people place greater value on skills necessarily used by the professional in obtaining information.

Americans are concerned with privacy issues and the debate of these issues is taking place once again. The bottom line is that the profession of private investigation will become more important than any time in history.

When there is a need for services in this area, the point cannot be stressed enough that the person in the private or business sector must be selective in the choosing of an experienced, professional private investigator!

Visit my website for more iinformation.

Developing Informational Skills

2009-06-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

The informational skills that the experienced private investigator learns how to develop include physical surveillance, public records searches, interviewing, and inspection. The professional private investigator develops these skills into a fine art. Over time, the skills are fine-tuned so that the smallest detail or possibility is not overlooked. Often, a piece of information doesn't, at first, look newsworthy but when combined with details already collected, it forms a piece of the puzzle leading to a correct conclusion that would not otherwise have been uncovered. (Another reason that it is worthwhile for the layperson to consult an experienced professional.)

Although most share commonalities, every investigation is unique unto itself. It has a "life" of its own. Often, an investigator doesn't know exactly how a puzzle piece will fit until he or she uncovers it.

Professional investigators are skilled at developing the most minute detail that can often be used to crack a case. Once cracked, the case is more likely to resolve into a desired conclusion.

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The Nature of Private Investigation

2009-06-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

A professional private investigator is a person who engages in the collection of facts of people, places, and things. He or she is often empowered (by attorneys or the courts) with more powers or "rights" than the average American citizen and has developed a special body of knowledge and skills that permit him or her to collect information in a more efficient and effective manner than an inexperienced, untrained person would be able to do.

When in the process of obtaining information, private investigators usually focus on the universal principle of the five Ws, which are: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

Everyone is an investigator at times. The difference between a professional private investigator and a layperson is that the professional performs the activity that develops information every day and, in doing so, develops a keen perceptive sense of knowing where to look. Over time, the professional investigator develops special sources of information and fine tunes skills that will help in development of the information. After some experience in the field is gained, the experienced investigator is able to develop and process information much faster and obtain better quality information than the layperson. For this reason, it is preferable and desirable to hire a professional investigator rather than try to do the investigation yourself.

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Private Investigators' Top Ten Ways to Tell if a Spouse is Cheating!!

2009-06-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

According to those with experience in detection and surveillance, these are the top ten ways to tell if a spouse or significant other is cheating:

1. Exhibition of a changing attitude toward your relationship: they are more argumentative, critical, or distant; they are less affectionate and profess a need for "more space."

2. Unexplained absences: they stay later at work, leave the office for lunch more often, spend more time "with friends" or pursuing a new hobby during evenings and weekends or they are frequently off running lengthy "errands."

3. Increase in personal expenses: they seem to go through pocket money at faster rates and have a jump in credit card expenses.

4. Change in patterns of telephone use: they spend more time on the phone and seem anxious to be the one to answer the phone when it rings; there are mysterious in-coming calls, hang-ups, and wrong numbers, or they suddenly need a new cell phone or pager.

5. They pay greater attention than usual to their physical appearance; they begin a new diet or exercise program; they purchase new clothing and fragrance or change hairstyles and begin getting manicures/pedicures.

6. They show a new interest in mail delivery; they want to be the first to get to the mail; they hide phone bills or credit card statements; they receive mysterious letters (usually not in postcard form).

7. There are articles of unknown origin left in the home or vehicle; these could be slips of paper with names/phone numbers, matchbooks, and/or different brands of cigarettes or gum

8. Strange marks upon body (scratches, bites, skin irritations) or stains on clothing (lipstick, makeup stains).

9. Unexplained odors; they come home smelling of fragrance or tobacco that is not their own.

10. Decreased interest in sex or changes in sex drive; more aggressive and less tender; desire to try new techniques or positions.

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The Role of Surveillance in Private Detection

2009-06-03T11:22:00.000-07:00

When a security camera catches critical footage, it often takes a lot of work on the part of investigators to secure usable images. The field of video forensics is constantly expanding, enabling police to monitor video feeds for clues in solving their cases and through the "magic" of computer enhancement, analysts are now able to convert previous fuzzy images into clear pictures of suspects.

The technology of surveillance has been measurably improved since the early 1960s when bank cameras could not even capture the movements of people.

In the 1990s, the advent of digital technologies has improved picture quality and made monitoring much easier. A case in point would be the recently documented episode wherein a surveillance camera in a Kohl's parking lot caught a mother shoving her 4 year old daughter into the backseat of her SUV. The mother eventually surrendered to police and was brought up on child abuse charges.

We will explore this topic in more depth in the weeks ahead. Visit my website for more information.

The Role of Surveillance in Private Detection

2009-05-26T10:24:00.001-07:00

"For years, the electronic eyes of surveillance cameras have stared from banks, traffic intersections, stores and countless other perches....."

As technology has increased and expanded in recent years, it is estimated that there are now two million video surveillance systems in the U.S. and private investigators are turning more and more to the footage for allowing them helpful glimpses into crimes as they are occurring.

Investigators are thinking about video more than they did in the past.

Criminals are increasingly being caught "red-handed" by authorities and the p.i. in private practice is starting to use video and surveillance devices (such as the GPS) more and more in his daily practice.

Where it used to take hours of time and highly sophisticated techniques to be able to gain anything helpful from footage, new and advanced technology has enabled investigators to be able to modify their results and tailor and alter them for fast and accurate results.

GPS devices are smaller and more easily placed as are cameras and other surveillance equipment. It is now possible to surveil from afar and take pictures and video from areas where the subject would least expect........to be continued.

Summer is a Time for Background Checks and Possible Survillances

2009-05-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

As the weather warms and the summer season approaches, people are out and about making new acquaintances and establishing relationships.

As the Internet expands, there are increasing opportunities to meet new friends and try new things.

We should be very aware that while most people we meet are what they seem, that is not always the case.

If there is a new person in your life, a background search is one way to make sure that the person is who he or she claims to be and that you are safe when with them.

Private investigators are schooled, practiced, and adept at looking into someone's background and coming up with either an "all clear" or a red-flagged area that needs closer scrutiny.

At that point, a brief surveillance might be considered just to make sure everything is as you have been led to believe.

In future weeks, look to this site for case studies wherein some of the problem areas are highlighted and solutions explained.

Better safe and protected than sorry!

Principles Governing Information

2009-05-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation.".........Herbert Spencer.

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) was an English philosopher who originally coined the phrase "survival of the fittest" so often attributed to Darwin. He created a process of Synthetic Philosophy whereby phenomena was interpreted according to the principles of evolutionary progress.

Investigations, both public and private, have been taking place from the very beginning of human evolution. Man learns by investigating and putting what he has discovered to practical use.

Although technology is advancing at an incredible rate, and is allowing for amazing breakthroughs in surveillance techniques, the bottom line is still that an investigation is only as good as the investigator working on it.

It all goes back to having an affinity for being able to "read" and "draw out" a witness and also for understanding the nuances of human nature.

Some of us are "born" investigators and others of us are not. The skills can be learned but nothing will help more than an inate ability to understand behavior patterns.

A good PI knows how to "size up."

2009-04-23T09:57:00.001-07:00

When you are a private investigator, you are often called upon to "size up" a potential witness and this process must be done within a couple of seconds. The private investigator looking for a good witness' statement must almost immediately determine the best way of connecting with the witness.

A good way to do this is via eye contact. Once eye contact has been made, the pi can tell if a good connection has been made. If so, the interview will progress along smoothly. If not, an excellent way to foster a positive response is by focusing on the physical environment.

Usually, the prospective witness will be approached within their comfort zone. It is the job of a good pi to transform the comfort zone into one in which both interviewer and interviewee will be at ease.

The key to any interview is in getting to the level of the person you want to speak with and then making them feel comfortable with you. And, once again, we are back to what makes a good "recipe." It should be a sprinkling of questions mixed with a dash of humor and a tablespoon of continued eye contact.

After all, in this country no one should be forced to say anything against his or her will so the goal of a pi is to foster a positive relationship between themselves and the witness. In this way, the interview will go smoothly and a beneficial statement will be obtained.

The Role of a Good Private Investigator (part 2)

2009-04-09T09:52:00.001-07:00

There was another case where the victim was shot. The defense lawyer and I talked about the matter and I suggested that I go speak with him. (I would rather go out, give it my best shot, and fail than have to admit I didn't try.) Words like "can't" and "impossible" are not in my dictionary. I am tenacious and will stop only when the last stone is turned.

To this end, I put on my best suit and traveled to the twelfth floor office of the shooting victim. His receptionist greeted me and I told her who I was and whom I wanted to see. She asked if I had an appointment and I had to admit that I did not but I requested a brief meeting, anyway. I worked my way through several secretaries until I finally was able to meet with the victim's personal secretary. As I was escorted into the inner office, I put out my hand and gave the man a big smile and a vigorous handshake.

At first, the man took me to be a representative of the district attorney's office. When he found out I represented the shooter, he came up out of his chair rather quickly. Prior to becoming a P.I., I spent fourteen years as the Director of Security for a Fortune 50 Company. It has been my experience that when people come unglued, they launch themselves out of their chairs. I have always thought we should make this an Olympic event. In this matter, the gentleman earned a score of at least 8 out of 10.

Now, he was standing upright in front of me (of course, being taller.......almost everyone is) and I found myself facing his pointed index finger. He began to castigate me and I responded by listening, calmly and quietly. When there was a break in his diatribe, I chimed in and told him how good it was to have his side of the story as well as that of the defendant. He wasn't in the mood to give me much time but from our conversation I did glean information as to his state of mind and was able to form and communicate some of my own ideas concerning what would be a good result for all concerned. The bottom line is that the prosecution and defense were able to work out a compromise and my client received probation and rehabilitation instead of jail time.

A private investigator has to be readily adaptable to any and all changing circumstances. It is one the most important tools to have in your toolbox.

The Role of a Good Private Investigator

2009-04-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

April 4, 2009

In my opinion, the role of a good private investigator is to give the plaintiff/defense additional information with which to support their issue. No matter if the private investigator is on staff at the attorneys' office or subcontracted, he/she has a pivotal role in the matter assigned.

It's easy to approach a friend of the plaintiff or defense and take a positive statement from them; the difficult part is to do the same from someone who doesn't want to get involved or is irritated/frustrated with the judicial system in general.

I make personal calls on those types of witnesses without notifying them first. I recall one occasion during a personal injury case where the father of the defendant greeted me. He was on the inside of a metal security door that I couldn't see into. My mission was to determine how often his son drove a certain vehicle and, if possible, the amount of insurance carried on that vehicle.

I told the father why I was there and he said he had nothing to say. In this case, a private investigator has between five and ten seconds to sell him or herself.

I immediately turned my attention to the vehicle, in question, which was parked in the driveway. I started to be inquisitive about it. He opened the door and came out as I began to walk toward the vehicle. The gentleman was now "outside" of his cloak of darkness and into the light where we could physically see each other. Naturally, he was taller. They always are.

I discussed my interest in vehicles but told him I honestly only know how to change oil in my old Volvo. (Her Majesty got the new Volvo, the house, and the......) At this point, he entered my comfort zone. During my verbal visual tour of his vehicle, I began to sprinkle in questions, the same as I might if I were cooking a gourmet meal. During the time that I was going to add "a dash of that," he told me that he didn't want to sign anything. "Hey," I said, "That's okay with me." So by then the discussion was becoming centered on things relating to cars and to the vehicle in his driveway, in particular. We talked about the horsepower of the engine and the type of shocks on it. "Are shocks and struts the same, " I wondered out loud. He was happy to set me straight on the matter. And then, finally we got around to talking about the type of insurance you should have on a vehicle such as this and how often his son was allowed to drive it. Mission Accomplished. Case Closed.

Cicero Speaks.........

2009-03-21T15:33:00.000-07:00

Marcus Tullius Cicero(January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC) was a Roman philosopher as well as being a statesman and lawyer.

Cicero is generally perceived to be one of the most versatile minds of ancient Rome. One of his most famous quotes is as follows: "The first duty of a man is the seeking after and the investigation of truth."

As a lawyer in ancient Rome, Cicero knew, full well, the value of truth. In the practice of law, attorneys have come to rely on their private investigators to discover and uncover the truth in an investigation.

Truth is often illusive and in any investigation, a good investigator will take pains to learn and then put forth the truth. An investigation that seeks to hide or color the truth will not stand up to the scrutiny to which the court system will subject it.

Although it might seem cost effective to skirt the issues or to put forward a witness' statement or investigation report based on a half-truth, the domino effect is such that once a part of the investigation is found to be flawed, the rest of it will not hold up.

Therefore, it behooves both the professional and layperson, alike, to turn to a professional when attempting to negotiate through legal matters.

submitted by David J. Krofina, Krofina Investigative Services, Inc., March 20, 2009.

2009-02-02T10:44:00.000-08:00

“We passed important laws to give the authorities responsible for
investigation wide powers to defend us.”
~ George Pataki

George Pataki was the governor of New York a few decades ago. Whether you agree with his political ideology or not, the above quote has merit that stands regardless of the source.

Private investigators are often instrumental in bringing justice and fair play into the court room and their investigative work can make or break a case.

When dealing with a serious legal matter, be it criminal or civil. it is imperative to retain a knowledgeable private investigator who knows the tools of the trade.

2009-01-25T12:18:00.000-08:00

In these uncertain economic times, most (if not all) of us are cutting back and looking to see where we can trim our spending a bit. The world of law practice and private investigation are no exceptions. However, attorneys and private investigators need to make certain they still continue to offer the same high standard of service because the welfare of their clients is at stake.

Here are some things to look for when choosing a private investigator:

make sure he/she has the proper credentials, which would include having an up to date license to conduct investigations.
ask to see a resume and references.
know what you want your end result to be. That way, you and prospective private investigators can move forward with that in mind in order to obtain the desired objective.
ask how much experience the private investigator has in your area of need.
if you already have retained an attorney, ask him for recommendations regarding the hiring of a private investigator. Some attorneys already have a private investigator on staff and his/her fees are figured into your billing.
just as you will expect updates from your private investigator, you should update him/her of any changes in your needs and expectations.

I have obviously just barely scratched the surface of this topic but it is my belief that blog posts serve their primary purpose if they are short and to the point.

For more information about the private investigation services my firm offers, please visit my website: www.krofinapi.com

2009-01-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

January 7, 2009:

As we begin the new year, I would like to give you a little more information about my life prior to becoming a private investigator and opening my own business.

I graduated from Penn State with a BS in Administration of Justice. I also did post graduate work at California State University at Long Beach and, in 1998, became a Certified Protection Professional (CPP), taking yearly private investigation technique sessions all over the country.

Although I have been in business for myself, as owner and president of Krofina Investigations, Inc., I have worked in the field of law enforcement and private investigation ever since graduating from college.

I worked as Divisional Security Director, Western Division, for the Ralston Purina Company from 1985 to 1998 and before that, from 1968 to 1985, I was a state trooper for the Pennsylvania State Police. I worked as an undercover narcotics officer for most of this time.

As you can see from reading the above, I have been working in the field for many years and have gained an enormous amount of knowledge from my experiences in the area of investigations, both private and state.

Please continue to join me at this blogsite. I intend to offer insightful information that I hope will be of help to you in the area of investigation, and especially as it relates to those living and working in Orange County and the outlying counties of southern California.

Krofina P.I., January 2, 2009

2009-01-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new blog.

This first post will serve to introduce myself to you. I am David J. Krofina, a private investigator in Newport Beach, California. As you can read in my blog profile, I launched my own business after several decades of work in both state law enforcement (in Pennsylvania) and as an undercover security director for Ralston Purina, a Fortune 50 Company.

The field of private investigation is a fascinating one and my job is interesting and different every day. I have been involved in a variety of private investigations and have worked on high profile cases, such as those involving Disneyland.

I work with some of the best and the brightest of Orange County attorneys as well as for individuals in the private sector.

I enjoy my work and am constantly "pushing the envelope" by incorporating new investigative techniques involving both integrative skills working with people (both in the public and private sectors) and the most current state-of-the-art surveillance techniques.

Please join me here on a regular basis and feel free to e-mail me with any questions you might have concerning the field of private investigation.