How Social Media Is Used In Private Investigations

These days, it’s very rare to know someone who doesn’t have a social media account. People connect with their friends on different platforms and social media has long become the norm. Government and private companies also access social media to gather information and share their thoughts to the public.

Image source: pixabay.com

When private investigators are looking into a person’s activities, is social media of much help to them? The answer is yes. Social media investigations are becoming a common feature of primary investigations. Even before the rise of social media investigators, old-school private investigators have already transitioned to the digital sphere. They have software that can be used to sidestep the privacy settings of accounts. 

Investigation through this means provides evidence for court cases. Evidence gathered here helps in establishing a person’s character, proving or disproving an alibi, or collecting other various supporting evidence. Professional social media investigators are knowledgeable on preserving, validating, and presenting evidence according to the rules of the court, and most people on social media are not. 

Private investigators follow a protocol that as they gather pieces of evidence. They must not violate laws in order to avoid jeopardizing the validity and authenticity of the evidence handed over to authorities. They rely only partially on social media to conduct their investigations; these professionals—however—are experts in operating on different platforms to fulfill their duties. With cyber threats becoming rampant by the minute, the need for heightened cybersecurity efforts and professional social media investigators is on the rise. 

Image source: pixabay.com

A private investigator, Adam Quirk has had 15 years of experience working for both US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For more updates and reads about private investigations, visit this blog.

The intersecting aspects of Jeremy Bentham's Panopticon and modern surveillance

Modern Anglo-American philosophy and jurisprudence has been greatly influenced by the theories of the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Educated individuals are aware of his contributions to the growth of utilitarianism, cementing many of the contemporary world’s moral and ethical ideals. At the heart of Bentham’s humanist and Enlightenment concepts is one of the most famous philosophical metaphors in modern thought: the Panopticon. It is an architectural and organizational model for prisons which focuses on a type of surveillance where inmates are perpetually cognizant of being watched. 

Image source: commons.wikimedia.org

The design, of course, goes beyond the physical features of the place. A central inspection tower is surrounded by cells where it is impossible to know if one is being watched. Many thinkers, including Bentham himself, planned and applied conceptually the theory of the Panopticon to explain the effective control exercised by many institutions to its members, from schools to hospitals and offices. There are obvious parallels to the visuality of that late 18th-century method to the modern CCTV. In the United States, the technology has come a long way since the early days of the Vericon in the late 1940s. Closed-circuit television eventually developed ways of recording surveillances to relieve the system of constant monitoring. 

New technologies are emerging that could even be more efficient and robust than CCTVs, although not all of them are exactly legal. The internet and its possibilities are continually being regulated so that it won’t be used for unlawful purposes. Policing of the self happens when one feels that every single action is being observed and recorded. The Panopticon is an interesting take-off point to understand human behavior and the physical and psychological development and connections of communities. 

Image source: pixabay.com

Adam Quirk is an award-winning criminal justice professional with over 15 years of experience in investigations, regulatory compliance, team leadership and supervision, program initiation and development, and coalition-building. Currently a licensed private investigator, he had been involved with both the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. To learn more about his professional work, visit this page.

A Quick Guide To Reporting Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a crime and a form of modern-day slavery that exploits children and adults alike, using force, fraud, or coercion to involve them in some type of labor or commercial sex purposes. Every year in the United States, millions of victims are lured with false promises of well-paying jobs, and then they are forced into prostitution, farm or factory labor with unjust conditions, or domestic servitude.

Image source:Pixabay.com 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has power over probing human trafficking. But what should be done to report cases of human trafficking that one has personal knowledge of?

If someone appears to be in immediate danger, call 911. One may also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888; advocates here are available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking cases, all reports remaining confidential, reporting individuals anonymous, and interpreters available. Text HELP to BeFree (233733), or submit a tip online via an anonymous online reporting form available at HumanTraffickingHotline.org

Image source: ALToday.com

The Polaris Project, an organization dedicated to ending human trafficking, offers a list of warning signs to help determine if someone is a victim. These include not being free to come and go as pleased from work or home; working excessively or unusually long hours; being under age 18 and already providing commercial sex acts; being fearful, anxious, or depressed; and showing signs of physical and/or sexual abuse or confinement.

Adam Quirk is a private investigator with more than 15 years of professional experience in law enforcement. He has handled various security, loss prevention, and enforcement projects for both the FBI and the DEA. For similar reads, click here.

Hand-to-hand combat series: Defending one’s home with everything one has

Since a lot of American homes are easy to break into, homeowners have to be more vigilant when it comes to home security. First of all, measures have to be put in place. For instance, locks have to be changed and alarm systems installed. Homeowners have to be familiar with all the entry points of their home. However, even as meticulous as one might be when it comes to securing the home, intruders still find ways to get inside. When this happens, everyone in the house is put at risk.

Image source: callofdestiny.net

Fortunately, there are ways to defend one’s self and the people he loves when intruders are inside.

First off, always have a safe area that is hidden from plain sight. Some houses have panic rooms just for this reason. Trap doors, attics, and even huge chests can be good hiding spots. If homeowners sense there are people in the house, then they should head to these places calmly and quietly. 

Second, homeowners should identify what objects in the room can be used as makeshift weapons. Anything from a hard boot, to an umbrella, to even a ballpoint pen can be used as a weapon. 

Finally, homeowners should know how basic self-defense. If they don’t plan to have guns at home, knowing self-defense can be just as good. 

Image source: Eventbrite.com

Adam Quirk is a private investigator who has worked side-by-side with the DEA and the FBI. He is also very knowledgeable when it comes to home security. For more about his work and his company, Stealth Advise, check out this website.

Tips for crime prevention in the workplace

For immediate action and with police forces bearing the weight of increasing crimes, it is somehow incumbent upon business owners to protect their premises and organizational well-being. Here are several ways to deter crime on one’s business property.

Image source: Pixabay.com

Dial 911 right away upon noticing suspicious characters loitering in or near one’s place of business. Take note of people who loiter during opening and closing times. It’s important to never block the view into one’s store by filling windows with multiple displays; robbers are less likely to attack the establishment if passersby can see what’s happening inside. 

Employees assigned to make bank deposits should always stay alert for strangers following them around or lingering at the bank. In the office premises, minimize the amount of cash being kept, and make frequent money pick-ups from registers. Make regular bank deposits – again with a good level of vigilance. 

Working alone isn’t recommended. According to studies, the presence of more employees may slash the incidence of an armed robbery. 

Finally, put physical safeguards in place. Install quality door and window locks, and invest in a monitored alarm system. Always use interior as well as exterior lighting, which may prevent intruders from hiding illegal activities. Motion sensor lighting can be helpful and affordable, too.

Image source: Pixabay.com

With over 15 years of professional experience in law enforcement, Adam Quirk is well-versed in the ins and outs of the criminal justice system. For similar reads, click here.

A Look At Upcoming Global Cybersecurity Efforts

In the past year, hacking attacks in different parts of the world made headlines. From scamming users to energy shortages and halting operations, these attacks have exposed how lacking cybersecurity efforts have been. These events have also shown that citizens must be educated about being secure and vigilant since most of the information these days are stored online. Below are some of the cybersecurity trends online users can expect soon:

Governments will boost their efforts to stop debilitating hacking attacks

These days, vigilante hackers target government agencies. U.S., France, and Ukraine have been victims of recent attacks that threatened to destabilize crucial operations. In response to the frequency of such crimes, governments are already improving their cybersecurity measures to prevent attacks from affecting not just government functions but also economic and financial operations.

Image source: Forbes.com

Cloud security will be more developed

Having a cloud environment that allows users to store information without worries is a need these days. The industry is on the way to developing platforms that will regulate and protect sensitive information. In the future, when cloud security is improved, users will have no other choice but to store their information in the cloud.

There will be a demand for information security professionals especially with the widespread use of IoT

Smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) seems to be the futuristic answer to daily living. However, there are still some aspects to be sorted out especially in security. While these tools become a welcome addition to homes and workspaces, there is a rising need for information security professionals that will ensure users that hackers will not use their devices for online theft and other cyber-related crimes.

Image source: Usatoday.com

As people learn how to protect themselves online, cybersecurity companies are also finding better ways to strengthen current efforts in guarding the billions of personal and classified information that is being collected online.

Award-winning criminal justice professional Adam Quirk has 15 years of experience in investigations, regulatory compliance, team leadership and supervision, program initiation, and development. Find out more about him and his company, Stealth Advise, on this website.

Going High-Tech:Top Apps For Private Investigators

The advancement of technology has been beneficial to private investigators because,while they do not necessarily need high-tech devices to function, it does help them work more efficiently.Before, private investigators are used to doing the necessary legwork for surveillance and burning through heaps of papers for research. But these changed with the advent of the internet because of the availability of useful information at the click of a button.

Image source:fastcompany.com

Now, there are also smartphone apps that offer assistance in investigations, surveillance, and stakeouts.Below are some of the best apps for private investigators:

Vault: Private investigators need to ensure that files, such as photos, videos, documents, and receipts, are kept private and are well-secured. Vault allows users to encrypt data and set a password to ensure their confidentiality. It also carries an option for capturing the photo of a person that attempts to access the app without authorization.

IRBmobile: IRBmobile allows private investigators to run background searches on persons of interest. One of the better features of this app is that not all users can use it; private investigators are required to apply and be accredited by the app developers.

Image source:auto-forward.com

Burner: Instead of owning a second phone, private investigators can use the Burner app to create multiple temporary phone numbers that they could use to contact other people or to give out. Once they have no more need for these numbers, these could just be “burned” or disposed of.

Adam Quirk is an award-winning criminal justice professional who had served in both the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. At present, he is a private investigator working for his own company, Stealth Advise, LLC. For more information about this firm, visit this website.