Polygraph testing is used by many companies. Understanding where and when to use polygraphs is a must for any business looking for answers.

People lie all the time, and as law enforcement officials have known for a long time, when people lie, they often show it in some way. When being dishonest, some people avoid eye contact, others fidget, and others break into a sweat. Polygraph tests take this basic concept and create a measurable way of recording people’s reactions to questions. A polygraph tests respiration, blood pressure, heart rate, and skin conductivity while the subject is being asked specific questions. By comparing the body’s response to specific questions, polygraph examiners can verify the truthfulness of what a subject is saying.

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Wrongful death lawsuits are very common. These lawsuits need to be filed within a specific timeframe in order to be successful. Time and evidence are essential in cases such as these, and a private investigator can be the best investment a plaintiff can make.

A wrongful death lawsuit usually occurs when a person causes a death through negligence. In some cases, the lawsuit arises when someone can be held liable for a death – whether or not it can be proven that negligence resulted in the death. Only specific people can file this sort of lawsuit. In almost all cases, only specific beneficiaries – usually a surviving spouse or child who was dependent on the deceased – can file a claim. In most states, wrongful death lawsuits are meant to help people recover the money that a deceased person would have earned if not for their death. These civil cases, therefore, are often about settlements, and the amount of money involved in these cases is quite large.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, almost 65% of wrongful death cases are medical malpractice cases. Automobile cases account for about 16% of wrongful death suits, with premises liability and product liability also accounting for some portion of wrongful death suits. Most wrongful death claims in court take place by jury trial.

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After a car accident, there are many situations that can require an accident investigator. Hiring a professional investigator in these instances can ensure justice and a fairer settlement.

In March 2006, a Seattle teenager hired a forensic investigator to prove that a Sheriff’s deputy caused a car accident for which she was blamed. While not every car accident victim hires an accident investigator to prove their case, many victims could empathize with the teen. The deputy had a long record of disciplinary problems but the Sheriff’s office refused the teens version of events - a version supported by many witnesses - and refused to conduct an internal investigation of the problem.

Unfortunately, car accidents claim more than 40,000 lives in the U.S. each year. In 2003 alone, more than 2.9 million injuries were reportedly caused by car accidents. Even though many states have passed “no fault” laws that try to keep the amount of lengthy lawsuits to a minimum, many car accidents do eventually end up in court. Partly, this stems from the fact that many car accident – up to 90%, according to some statistics – are caused by driver negligence and so are not really “accidents” at all.

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Electronic surveillance in its many forms is everywhere today, potentially creating greater safety for the public and for companies. Knowing how and where to use this type of surveillance can help individuals and companies make the right security decisions.

While plenty of people are aware of the fact that there are video cameras monitoring them inside of stores and banks, few people give much thought to the role that electronic surveillance plays in everyday life. However, there’s no doubt that e-surveillance has proliferated in recent years, with the federal government making moves to monitor more correspondence and personal information exchange in the private sector, and more companies seeking added steps to protect against fraud and theft.

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What can Process Servers and Investigators do to Increase Revenue and Efficiency in the New Year?

A new year is fast approaching once again. For many process serving and investigation companies, business slows down for a few weeks allowing you to take the time to consider what you can do to improve business next year. At ServeNow.com and PInow.com, we talk to hundreds of process servers and investigators on a weekly basis about their advertising and marketing initiatives.

There are endless things you can do to improve and grow your business. But there are some very basic concepts, most of which don’t cost anything, that you can apply to benefit your business in 2007.

1. Answer your phone!
At the risk of offending or being redundant, we are going to say it again. Answer your phone. If you have read our marketing articles in the past, you have surely heard this before. Making sure your calls get answered is the easiest and least expensive way of gaining more business. You may have to forward your calls to your cell phone, invest in a more sophisticated phone system or even hire an office assistant, but if calls go unanswered you are missing out on business.
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Iowa Association of Private Investigators

July 26 - 27, 2007
Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center
300 East 9th Street
Coralville, Iowa 52241
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California Association of Licensed Investigators

June 28 - 30, 2007
San Francisco, California

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Arizona Association of Licensed Private Investigators

October 2007
Chandler, Arizona

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Businesses are becoming more worried about trademarks and with good reason – trademark infringement can undermine entire marketing campaigns and can even drive customers away. Trademark and intellectual property infringement investigations are the best way for companies to protect themselves.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1994 and 2002, the number of instances in which civil remedies were sought in patent, trademark, and copyright infringement cases increased by 20% — to 8,254. Trademark violations are obviously big news. To businesses and companies, infringement can also mean big problems and big losses.

Trademarks are names, logos, symbols, jingles, words, or slogans that companies use to distinguish one service or product from others. Businesses put a lot of effort into creating and registering trademarks that will appeal to customers and create a strong brand image. Trademark violations occur when a business or person inadvertently or intentionally makes use of a logo, name, jingle, or other marketing tool from another business.
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