LONDON, ENGLAND – British filmmaker David Bond is trying to determine how far surveillance has gone in our society. His latest project, Erasing David, is his attempt to outwit a group of PIs. Trying to determine whether privacy is even a reality any more, Bond challenged some top British PIs to track him using only public domain information. Considering that the average British citizen pops up on at least one of the four million public surveillance cameras in England daily and is registered on over 700 databases, living off the grid might be challenging.

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BOCA RATON, FL – A data mining project run by Hank Asher has set up offices in South Florida. Here, the former drug smuggler has a space filled with computers and technology that help investigators track down pedophiles, felons and more. Ashner’s project includes Accurint, one of his most successful database projects. Accurint allows investigators to find addresses, licenses and close relatives of just about anyone. Asher has amassed a huge collection of public records and has combined them in database products that make it easy for investigators to track down information. While investigators are excited about Asher’s projects, privacy advocates are worried that Asher’s close work with government investigators gives him access to personal records — such as health records — which could eventually fall into the hands of private businesses, thanks to Asher’s enterprise.

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LONDON, ENGLAND – Elin Nordegren, wife of troubled golfer Tiger Woods, has hired a PI, allegedly to check Woods’ assets and wealth, possibly as a precursor to divorce proceedings. Nordegren will likely divorce Woods in California, where divorce laws tend to be more generous to ex-spouses. Nordegren likely wants to know the full extent of Woods’ wealth before filing. Experts believe the pro golfer is worth about $1 billion.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – IT has shaped the PI industry in the 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s. In the 1990s, some unscrupulous PIs were buying information from people who were using computer technology to legally access the information. By the early 2000s, some experts claim PIs were using Trojan horses to glean information from computers. Experts note that due diligence investigations and investigations for assurance have become more important over the past two decades as high-profile cases of fraud (such as the case involving Bernard Madoff) have come to light. Security cases have also become more important, especially after September 11, 2001. This has meant that PIs have had to hone a whole new set of skills. While in the early 1990s computer technology skills were a nice asset for a PI to have, They are now a mainstay of the business.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the recent launch of two new online babysitting services, screening sitter’s credentials has become crucial. Online services promise comprehensive background checks of all potential babysitters as well as online scheduling of babysitting services. The idea is that the services offer added security and convenience by allowing parents to learn about potential sitters and have caregivers screened professionally. At the same time, many parents enjoy the convenience of booking caregiver time online. Some online sitting services hire PI companies to run background checks while other sites check public records and social networking sites to ensure that caregivers are safe.

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CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO– Having joined the investigation field about five years ago, PInow.com Advertiser John Mackey notes that over the past year, he has seen requests for investigations increase locally as the economy has struggled. He has been especially busy with cheating spouse investigations and workplace compensation investigations. Mackey sees no signs of a downturn yet. He has also noted that he has been asked by companies to run more background checks and to offer more security services.

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EL PASO, TX – The El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recently held its yearly Future 15 Celebration to recognize local businesses for innovation, success and passion. Among the 15 businesses honored was Sun City Security Service Inc., a PI firm offering investigative, patrol, security and alarm response services. It was first established in 1980 and now produces over $1 million in revenue a year. Another company honored was Trust Screening, a company offering background checks and other forms of employee screening.

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NEW YORK, NY – Mayor Michael Bloomberg has reported that PIs hired by the City to pose as illegal gun buyers were easily able to buy guns four out of five attempts. The PIs went undercover at gun shows in Nevada, Ohio and Tennessee, where they were able to make purchases. The operation was part of a $1.5 million investigation into illegal weapon purchases. Even after the undercover PIs told sellers they probably could not pass a background check, 63 percent “failed the integrity test,” when 35 purchases out of 47 attempted buys were easily made.

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TORONTO, CANADA – Canadian reporter Brett Popplewell was investigating private career colleges in Canada and found that poor enforcements of laws at these colleges allow virtually anyone to get licensing and diplomas. Popplewell himself secured a security guard and PI license for $160. He had no training and no experience that would qualify him for the license. This, despite the fact that the province’s government has promised to make licensing tougher after a number of high-profile incidents involving security guards and training. Although security guards and PIs are now supposed to get training and pass tests to qualify for their jobs, Popplewell was mailed his license after paying for the licenses and passing a basic background check.

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VANCOUVER, CANADA – A number of private schools in Vancouver have hired PIs to ensure that student applicants do not have gang ties that could threaten school safety. IPSA International is one of the PI firms hired to conduct due diligence on the families of students applying to private schools in the area. A local private school, West Point Grey, was stunned when a shooting claimed the life of a student’s mother. Police investigations found that the parent was involved in illegal activities, using her children as a shield and putting other children at risk. Many experts note that many private schools will now be more vigilant in the wake of that shooting.

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