2017 July

A person professionally training in detecting, investigating and resolving fraud cases is a Certified Fraud Examiner or CFE. A private investigator in Boise with a CFE certification would have received it from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners which is the largest anti-fraud organization in the world. The ACFE provides training and education on the topic. CFE’s typically come from backgrounds related to criminology, law, accounting or auditing.

Not just anyone can become a CFE, either. You must first have a bachelor’s degree and several years of professional experience and pass a CFE exam. All CFE’s are expected to follow a code of ethics as laid out by the ACFE and must be able to prove they are of high moral character with appropriate references.

The Work Of A CFE

The complicated intricacies of corporate fraud require a lot of different skills and they vary differently from investigations related to other kinds of crimes such as theft or murder. You could say that a Certified Fraud Examiner can take a ledger or box of papers, accounting data and electronic spreadsheets and discover something wrong that may slip by the average person.

It is this attention to detail and thoroughness that sets a CFE apart from other crime investigators. The responsibility of a CFE is huge and often they are the people responsible in uncovering some of the largest corporate scandals. However, with this kind of expertise a CFE brings a lot to the table of any size fraud investigation.

Can A PI Be A CFE?

While it is possible, not all detectives are Certified Fraud Examiners. However, it is not uncommon for a private investigator in Boise to work with a CFE on fraud cases. The roles of each may differ from case to case but a CFE would likely examine the evidence gathered by the PI rather than the other way around.

That being said, insurance fraud is a common field of investigation that a detective will be hired to gather evidence on. This would entail long days of surveillance, photographic and video evidence gathering and witness interviews. For more complex, multi-layered corporate fraud investigations a CFE would be a likely choice.

Do You Need A Private Investigator In Boise?

Custer Agency handles all kinds of fraud investigations and works with Certified Fraud Examiners when the occasion arises. If you need a private investigator in Boise for fraud investigation, contact Custer Agency today.

Investigations at accident scenes have one goal to reach: determining what caused the accident. A private investigator in Boise will tell you that this is a specialized field of investigative work. The results from an accident scene investigation are used in insurance claims, court cases and to assist with preventing similar accidents from occurring.

Accident investigation techniques require methodic and scientifically rigorous practices as the conclusions that result from them often become court evidence. Investigators who focus on accident scene work can come from many different fields of expertise and include engineers, health and safety supervisors and forensic scientists.

The Process Used In Accident Scene Investigation

There are four main techniques used in accident investigations. They include causal analysis where principles of causation are used to put together the series of events leading to the accident and expert analysis. This is where a private investigator in Boise would use their own expertise and knowledge to piece together the events prior to the accident.

The third technique is known as organizational analysis which follows the train of thought that with everything working in good order, there would be no accident. Experiments are then conducted to see how an element would be altered from the perfect state and play a role in the accident.

The final technique, advanced accident analysis, resulted from digital photography. With it an investigator can construct a 3D model of the accident scene and with computer programs, can ‘run’ various scenarios into the process of determining cause.

The Steps Accident Scene Investigation Follows

1 – Fact Gathering

This is the first step and involves collecting data through speaking to witnesses, taking notes of observations and taking photos of the scene. Samples may also be collected for further analysis. Once all of this information is together, the investigator will examine it, perform scientific calculations, tests and more to draw conclusions.

2 – Countermeasures

Depending on the nature of the accident, the report submitted by a private investigator in Boise may include recommendations related to safety issues. The accident report may end up a key factor used in changing vehicle design or other engineering tasks related to transportation.

Custer Agency Can Help

If you are in need of a profession private investigator in Boise with accident scene investigation experience, look no further. The detectives at Custer Agency can provide the expert analysis required to determine causes of accidents and other injury claims involving vehicles. Call them today for details.

Audio surveillance equipment is an important part of a detective’s tool kit. A private investigator in Boise can rely on various listening tools and recording devices ranging from a tape or digital recorder to high-tech items such as directional microphones and amplified ear muffs. Here is a look at some of these tools of the trade:

1 – Phone Recording Device

This is old technology that continues to be a standard used by private investigators to this day. Essentially it is a recorder that can be connected into a phone line to record both sides of the conversations that take place on the specific phone line. It may be illegal for you to eavesdrop on someone’s conversation but law enforcement agencies can do this with a warrant.

2 – Directional Microphone

For a long-time private investigator in Boise this is another classic tool that still gets used today. It looks like a small mini satellite dish that is connected to a set of headphones. By pointing the receiving dish in different directions it picks up distant sounds in that specific direction.

3 – Smartphone Recorder

What sounds like a logical update from the older telephone recording devices is actually more than that. A smartphone recorder is smaller and can be carried anywhere. Plus, in order for it to be effective, it has to be plugged directly into the smartphone to capture both sides of a conversation – unless it is on speakerphone function.

4 – Amplified Ear Muffs

This can be considered one of the most innovative additions to audio surveillance in quite some time. They do two things at once – they shield your ears and reduce background noise while amplifying distant sounds. These are highly directional and you can mute some sounds while dialing in a frequency to hear others.

5 – Auto Start Recorder

Sound triggers the recording mechanism so this tool is easy on batteries and recording space because it just captures the sounds you are trying to record. A private investigator in Boise would find a great deal of use out of one of these as it sits quietly in a standby mode until a sensor picks up a sound and starts the recording process.

Custer Agency Is Here To Help

Do you need a detective to conduct some kind of audio surveillance work? To hire a private investigator in Boise turn to Custer Agency for professional detectives. We are armed with the tools that get the job done. Call us today to find out more.

In today’s world most of our communication is through computer technology. Ask a private investigator in Boise and they will tell you that thanks to digital platforms, they have more access to information than ever before. Social media, email and text programs provide a whole host of data that can be mined when needed. Here is a look at some of the different types of computer forensic services available:

1 – Recovery of Data

This is the main service that falls under computer forensics. There are several data recovery techniques that a private investigator in Boise can employ. It allows for the recovery of deleted files, social media posts, emails and texts. Plus, temporary files, search histories along with access and usage information can all be recovered.

2 – Recovery of Smartphone Data

The data recovery techniques used on a smartphone can reveal much more information than on a laptop or desktop computer. Computer forensics on a smartphone can recover call logs, deleted photographs and contact lists as examples. However, where smartphones are best for this kind of investigative work is with the GPS and location data it records and stores. It can help a detective to determine where a phone user was at a particular location and time.

3 – Security of Digital Data

One of the benefits of computer forensic services is digital security solutions. A private investigator in Boise can provide tests and perform functions on your data to ensure it is safe and can reveal weaknesses in your existing protection. Should there be any way in which a hacker can attack your system, solutions will be available to remedy this through these tests.

Custer Agency Can Help

The one thing to remember about using your computer or smartphone is that you are always leaving behind a trail. With the assistance of a private investigator in Boise you can learn how to protect your digital data from being captured and used without your permission. For more information, contact Custer Agency today.

If you ask a private investigator in Boise they will tell you that you should do a background check on a nanny before hiring. That’s because you are hiring someone to look after your child and that responsibility requires a certain type of person. Words like responsible, experienced and nurturing all comes to mind. Unfortunately, also do the horror stories of nannies in the news that have neglected and even abused the children in their care. Here are reasons why you need to have a background check done before hiring your child’s nanny:

1 – Identity Confirmation

Although it may sound obvious, the person you are hiring must be who they claim to be. You may need a private investigator in Boise to assist with verifying such basic facts as date of birth, Social Security number and other personal data about the person.

2 – Record Check

A criminal past is not too hard to hide or leave off of resumes when looking for a new job. A background check can reveal much about someone’s past including any and all criminal activity. This is important information to tell you something about the person you are considering taking care of your children.

3 – Verification of Licensing

Legitimate nannies have completed proper educational courses and have licensing that allows them to work in this field of child care. It is important to have verification of experience, training and licensing as a nanny without this proof can be a harmful addition to your home and family.

4 – Check of References

Just like you would for hiring anyone to work for you, it is important to conduct a reference check. References can say a lot about professionalism, work ethic and attitude which will all be important factors in the hiring process. A private investigator in Boise can assist with gathering this information.

Custer Agency Conducts Nanny Background Checks

When you are looking to hire a nanny and need the professional assistance of a private investigator in Boise, turn to Custer Agency. We have the tools to find out what you need to know in order to make an informed decision before hiring a nanny for your child or children.

Here are some tips on how to find a private investigator in Boise. It is important to be able to locate a professional detective who can assist you with the proper tools for the task. The private investigator does exactly as the name implies, they investigate and gather information as part of a private contract with an individual, group or commercial entity. However, you need to have the right detective working for you.

1 – Investigative Field of Expertise

Just like ordering pizza in a burger joint, you want to hire a private investigator in Boise who has experience in dealing with the field of investigative work you require. There are many different specialties detective work can focus on covering such fields as locating missing persons, fraud investigations, infidelity, different kinds of surveillance and criminal investigations. You will want a detective with experience in the type of work you are hiring them for.

2 – Licensing/Contracts

Professional private investigators must be licensed and they must supply you with a legal contract before hiring is complete. When you are seeking the assistance of an investigator, you can narrow it down if any on your list do not have proper licensing or work with legal contracts. Fees and all details related to the investigative work you require should be spelled out and easily understood in order to protect you and the PI from misunderstandings.

3 – Code of Ethics

Here’s where you will need to pay a great deal of attention. When hiring a private investigator in Boise, you will want someone who is honest, ethical and honorable. This requires you to do some research on the company you are looking to hire and you can do this with online reviews. The best match is a detective who shares your values and understands the importance of integrity while working on sensitive matters.

4 – Track Record

The last important step to hiring a private detective in Boise is their success rate. You will want to hire one that can produce solid evidence that stands up in court. A professional investigating firm will keep you up-to-date throughout the investigation and provide you will a complete file of their findings at the end of the investigative stage. Without proper and thorough documentation, you may wish to choose someone else to handle your case.

Call Custer Agency Today

The process of choosing a private investigator in Boise may sound like a massive task to tackle before launching your investigation. In fact, it means you are doing some detective work on your own. Contact the detectives at Custer Agency first and your search for a professional will end quickly.

Thanks to the new technology in the world today, there are even more threats to your privacy. The private investigators in Boise point to Spyware as one such example. You need to be aware of what this kind of programming can do to you and your family without you even knowing it is happening. Spyware uses your computer to farm information that is unprotected.

1 – Steal Your Identity

Spyware can send account information from your computer to third parties. This enables them to steal your identity which can become a huge nightmare. With your personal information, hackers can post things online as if it were you and with online banking and credit card information pulled through Spyware, you can end up in even worse situations.

2 – Feed Stalkers Information

Spyware continues to keep up with the changes in new technology to the point where phone calls can be monitored as well as messenger texts, emails and much more. You can have personal information, photos and whatever else contained on a handheld device stolen from you and used against you without you being aware that it is happening.

3 – Provide Remote Access

The private investigators in Boise warn that one of the most harmful dangers of Spyware is how is can install other damaging software programs into your device. This may even include a remote controlling program which can allow a hacker the ability to search the inside of your computer when you are on it and unaware of it. Your computer may then be used to distribute illegal data or malware to all of your contacts spreading viruses and stealing more information in the process.

4 – There Is A Way To Fight Back

Fortunately there are several anti-Spyware products available. However, in order to remain protected you will have to keep your anti-Spyware programs up to date. Also, beware of freeware programs available from questionable download websites. Several of these programs are used to load Spyware into computers of users looking for games or other freeware tools.

The Private Investigators In Boise Are Cyber-Crime Fighters

If you suspect you have an online stalker, the best thing to do is contact Custer Agency for advice. The private investigators in Boise are well versed in cyber-crime and can provide you with information on how they can remedy your situation. To find out more, call Custer Agency today.