The History of Private Investigators

January 6, 2022 - Reading time: 12 minutes

Investigators are not really a new phenomenon. One of the most common sorts of investigators is a private investigator. They have been in business for generations; these artists have fulfilled the wants of a broad spectrum of folks. In certain cases, private investigators are hired to investigate crimes, acquire evidence concerning someone's participation in a crime, run background checks on employees, or just gather information about someone. 

There are a lot of reasons why private investigators are engaged, and they come in a range of sizes and forms. Many private investigators come from a background in the military or police. Then there are recent college graduates wanting to enter into the area of psychology or criminology and narrow their focus.

Find out how private investigators have grown through time to become a powerful investigative tool today in this informative article.

Year 1833: Eugène François Vidocq

French veteran, criminal and privateer Eugène François Vidocq formed the very first known private investigator agency in 1833, the Le bureau des resignments or "Office of Intelligence" and used ex-convicts to conduct tasks which the police officers of the day would not embark on.

Several times, authorities tried to shut down the situation. After solving an embezzlement case in 1842, authorities detained him on accusations of illegal confinement and obtaining money under false pretences. As a result of this, Vidocq subsequently came to believe that the whole thing had been staged. An appeals court freed him from a five-year prison term and a 3,000-franc fine. Private criminal investigations would not be what they are today without his contributions to the fields of record keeping, criminology, and ballistics.

Because of his contributions to the development of specific forms of inquiry and police investigations, this gentleman is well recognized. With this in mind, Vidocq has been formally credited with a variety of record-keeping and plaster casts of shoe imprints that he created to aid in operations. Several of his early ideas and investigative procedures were so important that the French police are still using them many years later.

The Start of Private Investigators 

Immediately after Vidocq, the private investigation industry as we know it was formed. For many private investigators throughout the earlier years, it was a question of providing a service the police were unable or unwilling to provide. Pseudo-lawyers like those in the burgeoning private investigative sector played an increasingly key role, especially when it came to labour and employee relations. 

Due to the French Revolution and men's liberation, the rich resource owners did not like the concept of controlling vast numbers of employees who had generated innovative ideas. When it came to solving situations that could only be resolved via the use of physical force, many private investigators were really nothing more than mercenaries and professional military firms working for the benefit of private clients.

Year 1850: Allan Pinkerton

Allan Pinkerton founded the Pinkerton National Investigative Agency in the United States in 1850, which provided security guards and detective services. At the time, Pinkerton was well-known for his role in thwarting an assassination attempt on President-elect Abraham Lincoln.

Pinkerton's agents provided a wide variety of services, from the equivalent of a privatized military contractor to the duties of security guards. When Pinkerton Detective Agency was at its peak, it had more agents than the United States Army, which prompted the state of Ohio to prohibit the agency because it might be used as a "private army," or militia.

During the labour strife of the late nineteenth century, corporate owners used Pinkerton security to protect protesters and alleged unionists out from their workplaces. When Pinkerton agents enforced Henry Clay Frick's strikebreaking methods in 1892, they ended up murdering numerous individuals. An eye with "We Never Sleep" emblazoned on it is what inspired the moniker "private eye".

These services are supplied in whole or in part by many respected private investigators in today's world since the commercial and private clients equally want detection, being undercover, security, and people tracking.

Year 1852: Inspector Charles Frederick Field

Inspector Charles Frederick Field, well known for his role in Inspector Charles Frederick Field in Household Words, is our next subject. Field wanted to be an actor, but he could not afford it, so he became a Sergeant in the Metropolitan Police's E division instead. In 1846, he founded the detective agency, which he ran until his retirement in 1852 as its chief.

Charles Frederick Field opened an investigation office in the United Kingdom in 1852 after he retired from the Metropolitan Police. Many times, even when it was not absolutely required, Field relished working as a detective in disguise owing to his theatre background.

As a result of their friendship, Dickens penned articles praising Field's work. Unhappy with the company's direction in 1862, Ignatius Paul Pollaky set established a competing agency. While nowadays Pollaky is almost forgotten, his renown in the 1870s and 1880s was so great that he was referred to in many publications and immortalized as 'Paddington' Pollaky for his 'sharp insight' in Patience, an 1881 comedic opera.

Moving Forward to the 21st Century

Private investigators have continued to evolve over the years and now offer a wide range of difference services to both private and corporate clients alike. Some detective agencies tend to focus more on infidelity related investigations and private clients for example, whereas others will focus their services on corporate clients and cases such as insurance investigation or due diligence; and there are numerous other niches which private detectives can choose to focus their businesses on.

Government licensing for private investigators can vary depending upon which jurisdiction you are in and the nature of the business. In the USA for example most states have licensing systems for PIs. In the UK however private detectives have remained largely unregulated.

Home Secretary Theresa May said in July 2013 that private investigators would have to be licenced by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) in order to operate legally. "In order to maintain lofty standards and protect people's privacy, it is essential that private investigators be subject to strict oversight" said Theresa May.

However these plans set out in 2013 were ultimately not introduced and at the time of writing this article private investigators remain unlicensed in the UK.

The answer as to whether or not a licensing system for private investigators would (or will) benefit the industry will vary depending on who you speak to. In the United States where licensing is prevalent, private investigators often charge considerably higher rates than they currently do in the United Kingdom. It is hard to predict the effect licensing may have on the industry overall; and it's understandable that many PIs would prefer to avoid the added bureaucracy and cost that a licensing system would potentially bring. 

Private Investigators UK

With a large network of local investigators boasting years of expertise, Private Investigators UK cover the whole of Britain and beyond. Our detectives cover a full range of different services including infidelity investigations, missing people cases, as well as business and due diligence services. Close protection services and process serving are also offered by us.

Every effort is made to go beyond for the benefit of Private Investigators UK's customers. We provide excellent service to our clients and have extensive international expertise, making us one of the best detective agencies in the United Kingdom.

Services Provided by Private Investigators UK

In order to assist you with a delicate issue that you may be having difficulties with, Private Investigators UK has a team of investigators that can maintain complete confidentiality.

As private investigators, we do not depend on our luck, but on years of experience and a highly trained team to find the answers.

1. Background Checks

Private Investigators UK can run both internal and external background checks on an organization's employees. We are usually in charge of pre-employment screening, but may also be hired to investigate employee misconduct, harassment situations, and illegal or dishonest practices.

We can also help with corporate investigations; such as in the event that a potential merger or partnership is contemplated, we may look at security breaches, business risks, obligation, and unreasonable exchange practices.

2. People Searches

Is there someone you would like to track down but aren't sure how one goes about acquiring the necessary information? For private investigators, public records are a crucial source of basic information. Locating a person via public data is often the fastest and simplest option. 

Private Investigators UK have invested in the most up to date tracing systems which gives a wealth of information and resources to clients that are looking to trace their family, friends, or debtors.

3. GPS Tracking

GPS tracking is a priceless tool for many private investigators. GPS tracking gadgets are not only useful for private investigators, and they are also safe, efficient, and cost-efficient. There are many justifications for tracking someone. It does not matter whether the investigation is civil or criminal in nature; private investigators may use GPS technology to gather evidence under the permitted circumstances. 

GPS permits investigators to conduct the work even without personal invasion of being monitored and tracked in person by a private eye from a distance capturing images or video. GPS trackers typically allow us to provide surveillance on a more effective and cost efficient basis.

4. Infidelity Investigations

There are few things more stressful or devastating than being betrayed by a trusted friend or loved one. Disloyalty, embarrassment, and anxiety may be overwhelming. Even worse, you have no idea whether your sidekick or collaborator is working against you. Anxiety levels skyrocket just thinking about a spouse having an extramarital affair.

While dealing with the results of infidelity investigations can be hard in many cases, clients are typically glad to have found out the truth.

Private Investigators UK know how difficult it can be to deal with infidelity, which is why experienced private investigators are dedicated to helping you find the proof you need. They understand that you need a private investigator to get proof of adultery or disloyalty so that you can go on with your life.

5. Due Diligence on Business

In the business world, due diligence is a widespread practice. Legal counsel and executors could demand that a new company initiative be thoroughly researched before it can start. When screening prospective executives, business partners, suppliers, or contractors for suitability for the job, due diligence might be utilized. 

When acquiring a firm, due diligence is indeed a part of the process. There are a number of benefits to this procedure, including determining the value of a company's assets and obligations, as well as its ability to generate income.

Further information

Private Investigators UK is one of the most well-known and well-established private investigation agencies in the UK. Specialists promise to address your case with the utmost respect and expertise, no matter how large or little it is. Visit the PrivateInvestigators-UK homepage learn more about the services offered by us, or get in touch for a free quote.