When you think about an interview you probably think about movies where there is a bright light and an officer of some sort using pretty intense interrogation techniques on a person.  While certainly that is a technique that holds some merit at times, there are many other techniques that private investigators use.  Private investigators are called upon to interview individuals for many reasons.  Attorneys will use private investigators to interview a variety of people when they are trying to find someone or trying to find out about someone.  Additionally, and very commonly, attorneys will rely on their investigators in a criminal matter to interview witnesses in their place.  This gives an advantage to the attorney in that they are able to remove themselves from the interview and are able to use the investigator in trial should the need arise.  Thus, private investigators need to be very skilled at interviews and their clients need to be able to trust that they will ask the right questions and most importantly, get the right answers.  Gunderson is well trained in interview, interrogation and positive persuasion techniques (See this blog post about his training).  He knows what questions to ask. He knows how to get answers.  He knows how to motivate the subject to the truth.  Once he knows that a subject is withholding information, he is able to create a strategy to bring the subject to actually have the “desire” to tell the truth.  One part of this technique involves allowing the subject to know that you understand and can empathize with the reasons that someone uses to justify their actions.  You make the subject feel like you believe the same way that he/she does and that there are reasons that make the actions ok.  As we all know, when someone understands our reasons for doing or saying something wrong, we relax a little.  For example if you are in an argument with a friend and you say something hurtful to him that you regret, you may feel terrible.  If the friend and you can talk and your friend tells you that he understands why you said that, that what you said was in response to something he did and so he understands why you reacted this way.  All of the sudden it might be easier for you to apologize.  Knowing these techniques and mastering them takes practice and experience.  Gunderson has both and can find answers.

This time of year you may think about attending events for the holidays such as plays, parties, parades, even shopping can be an event at least for me.  No matter where you go this time of year, there seems to be a TON of people.  Do you notice or care?  Some of us do not like crowds at all and do our best to avoid them.  Others really do not notice and some still are energized by being around many people.  Whatever type of person you are, it is important that when you are in a large group, you are aware of your surroundings.  Does it seem like this is my answer to so many things?  Well, because it is.  And until you have this as a natural response, you are not prepared.  Really for anything.  In a crowd, you want to look up, do not focus on your feet.  Hold your belongings close to you if you have to bring a bag.  If you are in an organized crowd be prepared to have your bag checked and do not bring anything you do not see as disposable.  Carry your small children and hold hands with larger ones.  Children are often not seen way down there as adults are focused on each other talking.  Know how to get out.  Know where the closest exit is and know how you will get there.  Discuss a meeting place if you get lost.  Be sure your phone is charged before you leave home.  Be sure someone who is not with you knows where you are.  Do not get intoxicated when you are in a crowd, you will not be a good part of the crowd.  Know when to leave.  You do not see altercations between others, you will be safer to just leave the area. Have fun, but remember, where there are a lot of people, there is always a risk to your safety.  Be safe these holidays and enjoy your families!

It is no secret that some of the public has developed a lack of trust in law enforcement lately as a result of the media coverage of deaths to citizens by police officers.  Of course, this is not something that anyone feels good about, but we want to make it known that we stand behind police and believe that police are doing the best they can to protect our society – you, me, our children, family, and friends.  Without these individuals risking their lives on a daily basis to make ours safer, our communities would not be places we could live in without fear and chaos.  We thank our men and women in blue.

Gunderson Services is a private investigation company, not a police agency.  However, we do face many of the dangers that a police officer faces in his/her day to day job.  We place ourselves in areas of great danger, between hostile parties, in crime overtaken areas, and places where people do not wish us to be.  We do this to protect our clients.  We have our own safety precautions in place and one of them is to wear body worn cameras.  Police has begun to do this so that they can regain public trust, protect themselves from unfounded claims, and provide documentation of activities.  Gunderson Services investigators, detectives, security agents, and protection agents do this for similar reasons.  We want you to be safe, but we also want to protect our investigators. We are always working on new ways to improve safety – for us and for you.

When do you need surveillance from a private investigator? Is it only on a clear day in the middle of the day?  Is it in an empty area where the subject is alone and there are many points view to capture the images of the subject? These situations are highly unlikely.  Often times, it is in an area of heavy traffic, entering and leaving a residence, and at night.  Gunderson investigations has captured images and video in all of these types situations including arenas, restaurants, sporting events, and many other difficult areas.  Additionally, we have done extensive research on the best cameras for shooting images and video in the dark.  It is uncommon that an investigator has access to the types of tools really needed to get those clear shots that you need at night.  You can find many cameras at the big box stores that will provide a small amount of images but they are still not to the point of being able to see your subject clearly.  Some are no better than a baby monitor that families use to see in low light into another room.  Please be sure to be aware when you are looking for surveillance that you will need to know about what type of images you will need and who will be able to get them for you.  Write your questions out before you contact a private investigator.  Be sure to know what types of surveillance they specialize in, if they are going to be available during the hours you need them, and if they have the proper equipment.  If you are in Portland, Vancouver, or Lake Oswego we are happy to have a consultation with you at one of our offices and we can go over the of investigation we think would be best for your situation.

Private Investigator – who needs one?

There are many reasons a person might contact a private investigator although most people think they will never need one.  Many people imagine private investigators as they are portrayed on televisions and in stories – a person dressed in black hiding in the bushes tracking down a spouse of an individual.  While this is certainly a reason a person may call an investigator, it is not the most common reason.  Many people are searching for someone that they want to connect with that they haven’t been able to find themselves.  They may have a will, a debt to collect, an old friend they miss, a family member they want to reunite with or meet, a vehicle they are looking for that someone has, and the list goes on.  Additionally, and unfortunately, there are times when you have worked with law enforcement and are not able to get the full resolution you are hoping for due to their heavy caseloads and budget restraints.  We can collect information and help you provide it to law enforcement to further move on your objectives.  Additionally, child custody issues bring a large need for investigation work to help the child be able to stay away from danger.  These are just some of the examples a person may need an investigator.

Private Investigator Selection Process

Now, once that you have established you have a need, or think you may have a need, what do you do?  You pull up portland private investigator and see a long list and feel a little lost.  There are a few things you can do when trying to select the right one for your personal situation.  First, you want to look at their website and see if they specialize in the area of work that you need.  Then, notice if there are google reviews and do they mention anything that seems pertinent to your case.  Next, call the office.  I believe one of the biggest criteria to use, beyond investigator experience, is your connection with the investigator and the staff.  Do they seem to understand you?  Did they make you feel comfortable?  Do you believe from the conversation that they are competent and able to help you?  Meet the investigator in person.  Is the office professional and is the investigator someone who you can trust?  Will they be able to provide you with the tools you need for your case.  For example, will you be given video, pictures, reports, court testimony?  Be sure to set aside the time you need to talk through all of your needs for your desired outcome.  Be sure to do your work before you hire someone to work for you and you will find that you will be more satisfied with the outcome.

Many people wonder if it is worth it to hire a private investigator.  The answer to this question, as the answer is to almost every question, is…it depends.  Yes, we are not going to work every job when a person calls us.  Gunderson puts so much value into people and their families that he will turn away profitable work at times if it seems there is a better solution for them than hiring an investigator.  Portland is a large city and there are many places to go and concerns that people have regarding what their loved ones are doing.  However, sometimes the best solution is to sit down and talk to them and help them problem solve or send them on to a professional who can help them in other ways such as their church or counseling.  When someone considers whether they need to hire an investigator, it is ok to call the investigator and discuss the situation with them.  A good investigator will not convince you that every problem needs an investigation.  When there are those obvious times when an immediate investigation is needed, such as when a child is danger, Gunderson will work immediately to do what is in his power to keep the child safe.  Child custody issues and parenting issues are of particular importance to Gunderson and he has had success with helping children be placed where they should be – in the loving care of a parent or guardian who is safe, responsible and caring.  Please do not be intimidated to call an investigator.  The good ones will help.

It is undeniably a risk when our respected law enforcement officials go to work each day. They are risking their lives everyday to keep the citizens safe and I do not believe that we are often adequately appreciative of this risk they take for us on a daily basis.  They have chosen this career path and for this we know that at any time we can pick up a phone, dial 911, talk to a live person, and receive help shortly.  For anyone in this line of work who reads this, please hear us when we say thank you.

Additionally I see our investigators leaving on assignments, and on occasion take a moment to say a prayer that they do not encounter someone who will threaten their lives.  At times, something as simple as a routine service of process can turn into something very dangerous very quickly.  And of course we do not know when this happen.  Assisting the private sector and businesses with surveillance and threat management brings attention to the many types of dangers out there that many of us do not think about.

Just taking a few thoughtful and thankful moments today for those I work with and admiring their persistence and perseverance despite what would make most of run.

The first day of 2016.  Many new goals for Gunderson Services.  As we open new areas of business and connect with new clients, we need to expand the ways that people can connect with us.  We have created our new twitter page today.  Please follow us and learn more about what we are up to and our new areas of expertise.

Tweets by GundersonPI

Have you tried to get the truth out of someone and been unable to even though you know the truth?  Most people will be able to think of many times when they know something has happened but they are not able to get another person to “admit it”.  This can be with your friends, colleagues, or notoriously, your children.  Typically and fortunately, these are minor irritations.  However, when it comes down to something more serious such as a crime, the average person will not have the skills or abilities to be able to effectively interview someone.  Many people will simply not what and what not to do in an interview, will provide leading questions and will not set the correct tone to elicit answers.  This is where Gunderson can help.  I think most people who know Gunderson will tell you that they begin talking to him and find themselves sharing information or that they are surprised that Gunderson was able to find out answers that they were not able to.  Some of this is natural.  However, much it has been gained through years of experience in this field and through extensive training.

Recently, Gunderson completed the Reid Advanced Training of Interview and Interrogation Techniques.  This is well known training in the investigation world and highly regarded as being very valuable to investigators.  Being a good interviewer takes more that just allowing people to talk to you.  You have to know when to talk, when to listen, stages of an interrogation, knowledge of the crime or activity, and you have to know your suspect.  You have to study your suspect.  Prior to speaking with him or her.  You have to understand his/her profile and characteristics.  Gunderson has built these skills and tactics and continues to grow them on a regular basis.  Watching or listening to Gunderson in his interviews is always a learning experience for others and is often commended afterwards.

You want Gunderson on your side when the questioning begins.

One of the newest apps that is gaining much popularity is Snapchat.  Within this app, users are able to take a picture, send a text, send a picture from their library etc to another user of the application.  The sender is able to set a timeframe on how long the picture is viewable and then it “vanishes” and the receiver can no longer see the image.  There is also a feature that allows users to create a story using pictures of an event.  Others who are at the same event can also share pictures of the event through the app.  These are viewable for up to 24 hours.  Snapchat also has other features such as Snapcash and a newsfeed.

It is not hard to see some of the challenges this app may create.  People of all ages may use this app (although it does ask for your age to be sure you are over 13, it doesn’t verify this at this time) and it is being seen that the majority of users of this app are young.  The younger crowds may feel that this app gives them a sense of security.  In the past on facebook or myspace, a picture was posted and remained there until you deleted it.  This app, however, seems to delete the pictures within seconds.  So, people do not have to worry as much about who will see their pictures (parents, employers, schools etc.) as they believe it is gone shortly after it is shown or “snapped”.  This gives people the idea that they can show pictures that they wouldn’t normally share, such as nudity or questionable behavior without the same type of fear of repercussions.  Unfortunately, however, this removes a few, of the few, safety precautions that are in place for young people now days with respect to harmful online behavior.

Some things to consider: a person who receives a snap can save that image on their phone before it vanishes from snapchat.  They can also take a picture of the screen with another device.  If an image is posted to the story feature, the snaps are archived.  There are also third parties releasing apps to save snaps.  Therefore, even if the picture is gone from the snapchat app, it may still remain on the receivers device.

As you can imagine, this app poses some unique challenges when the data is needed for cases.  There are currently a few methods of obtaining some snapchat information, but it is a not always the same type of data collection methods used in the past.  As technology changes, investigation methods must change.  It is an ongoing challenge to keep up to date with new technology and how people are using it.

References gathered from sources such as Police Technical