PI-101: What Exactly Does a Professional Investigator Do?

A lot more than you think!

Being an investigator is an exciting career - every week brings confidential, complex, and fascinating matters from clients across industries.

Unfortunately, thanks to movies and TV, many people think investigators spend their time in trench coats, hiding behind bushes with a long-lens camera.  Others picture Tom Selleck in Magnum P.I.  The reality? Very different.

That’s why many of us prefer the term professional investigator.  It better reflects who we are: experienced, discreet, and operating strictly within the law.

So, what do we actually do?

Professional investigators assist individuals, businesses, law firms, insurers, financial institutions, and government agencies in countless ways, including:

  • Asset location investigations - hidden assets and investments

  • Background checks - for business or personal relationships

  • Business & corporate crime investigations - fraud, corruption, insider trading, sabotage

  • Cybercrime - misuse of information, IP theft, unauthorised access

  • Identity theft - fraudulent applications, bank withdrawals, false identities

  • Independent audits - verifying or reviewing reports

  • Insurance investigations - across motor, property, liability, travel, workers comp, and more

  • Legal support - interviews, statements, evidence review

  • Skip tracing - missing persons, debtors, will beneficiaries

  • Surveillance - photographic and video evidence for disputes

  • Employment investigations - pre-hire screening and post-employment breaches

  • Workplace investigations - bullying, harassment, misuse of property, policy breaches

Why it matters

When disputes arise, perceptions often clash and the facts can be unclear.  A professional investigator provides the independence, objectivity, and evidence needed to resolve uncertainty. 

Need Clarity in a Complex Matter?

At QNA Investigations, we deliver facts, not assumptions - helping a wide range of clients uncover the truth with precision and integrity.

If you’d like to know more about how we can assist with your matter, contact us by phone on +61 2 9212 5000 or via email at mail@qnainvestigations.com.au.