What Can a Private Investigator Background Check Find Out?

Updated

A private investigator background check pulls together records and data from public sources, industry databases, and computer searches into a single profile of a person. According to Adam & Eve Investigations, LLC, a licensed Arizona private investigator serving Phoenix and surrounding areas, their investigators "collect, interpret, and arrange information gathered through a widespread base of industry sources and computer searches," with the final result being "a complete profile of the individual." This kind of check is useful when you need verified facts about someone's history—whether for a custody matter, a missing-person search, a business relationship, or personal peace of mind.

What a Background Investigation Typically Covers

The exact scope depends on the case and what the client needs, but a professional background investigation generally draws from several categories of sources:

  • Public records – court filings, civil and criminal case records, property records, and other government-maintained documents
  • Industry databases – compiled records that investigators access through professional data services
  • Computer searches – online and database-driven searches that surface information not easily found through casual browsing
  • Supporting documentation – the source material behind each finding, so the report isn't just conclusions but evidence

Adam & Eve Investigations notes that as an Arizona private investigator, the firm "provides supporting documentation for all information" and prepares "complete and confidential reports." That documentation can include photographs, video, audio, and comprehensive statements from witnesses, depending on the assignment.

What the Final Report Usually Contains

The end product is a profile of the individual—an organized picture built from the collected records rather than a raw dump of search results. Investigators interpret and arrange what they find so the client can actually use it. Because the firm works across criminal and civil claims, domestic relations (including cheating-spouse investigations), workers' compensation, and missing persons, the report format and depth are shaped by the purpose of the case.

When a Background Check Is Worth Commissioning

Background investigations serve different goals depending on who's asking:

Situation What the check can help establish
Custody or domestic matters Verified history relevant to a household or relationship
Locating someone Current information on a deadbeat dad, birth parent, family member, or long-lost friend
Business or civil disputes Records tied to claims, property, or prior filings
Personal verification A complete profile before making a decision about someone

Adam & Eve Investigations specifically lists missing persons among its services, noting their investigators "have the expertise to get the job done and get it done relatively quickly"—useful when you're trying to find a family member or someone who owes support.

How Investigators Collect and Verify Information

The process isn't a single database query. Investigators gather from multiple sources, cross-reference what they find, and assemble it into a coherent profile. Because the firm is licensed, bonded, and insured in Arizona (License #1591549), the work is conducted within the legal boundaries that apply to professional investigators—an important distinction from running searches yourself, since some data sources and methods are only accessible to licensed professionals.

Practical Considerations Before You Hire

  • Define your goal first. A background check for a custody case looks different from one for locating a missing person. Knowing what you need helps the investigator target the right sources.
  • Ask what the report will include. Confirm whether you'll receive raw records, a summarized profile, or both, and whether supporting documentation is part of the deliverable.
  • Confirm licensing. In Arizona, a legitimate investigator carries a state license. Adam & Eve Investigations lists License #1591549 and describes itself as licensed, bonded, and insured.
  • Expect confidentiality. The firm states it prepares "complete and confidential reports," which matters when the subject of the investigation shouldn't know it's happening.

If you're in the Phoenix area and need a background investigation, you can reach Adam & Eve Investigations through their site or use their online payment portal once you've discussed scope and cost with them directly.