A private investigator, or PI, is a person who undertakes
investigations. They often work for attorneys in civil cases or on
behalf of a defense attorney. Many work for insurance companies to
resolve claims. Before the advent of no-fault divorce, many private
investigators were hired to search out evidence of adultery or other
illegal conduct within marriage to establish grounds for a divorce.
Despite the lack of legal necessity for such evidence any more,
according to press reports collecting evidence of adultery or other
"bad behaviour" by spouses and partners is still one of the most
profitable activities investigators undertake.
They have also been frequently found in fiction as a stock character; perhaps the most famous of these is the
Sherlock Holmes character created by Arthur Conan Doyle, who
would refer to himself in the jargon of his age as a "private
inquiries agent." (See Crime fiction for details.)
Many jurisdictions require PIs to be licensed, and they may or may not
carry firearms depending on local laws. Some are ex-police officers.
They are expected to keep detailed notes and to be prepared
to testify in court regarding any of their observations on behalf of
their clients. Taking great care to remain within the law (e.g., being
forbidden to trespass on private property or break into homes) is also
required, on pain of losing their licences as well as facing criminal
charges. Irregular hours may also be required when performing
surveillance work (e.g., outside someone's house during the early hours
of the morning).
See also