Higher Ed board discusses criminal background checks: "The state Board of Higher Education plans to ask the Legislature for permission to conduct criminal background checks on employees, job applicants and students in certain areas.
The idea drew some questions when it was discussed at the board's meeting Thursday at Dickinson State University.
Nicholas Rogers, the student board member from North Dakota State University, said he could not support the proposal without knowing more about how it would impact his fellow students.
The proposed change in the law would the state university system to do a statewide and nationwide criminal history record check 'for each applicant or employee in a specified position in the university system or a university system institution or for each student applying to or admitted to a specified program of study, as designated by the chancellor.''
Valley City State University President Dr. Ellen Chaffee and university system attorney Pat Seaworth said the background checks would not be mandatory."
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
City to privatize background checks
City to privatize background checks: "Change sought to expedite processing of licenses.
By MATTHEW LeBLANC of the Tribune’s staff
Published Wednesday, November 8, 2006
City officials say the Missouri State Highway Patrol often takes too long to process criminal background checks on applicants for Columbia business licenses and will ask a private company to conduct the investigations.
Janice Finley, who oversees business licensing for the city’s finance department, said some applicants have waited up to six weeks for a finalized background check state police say only takes 30 minutes to an hour to conduct.
'That’s not a very acceptable practice,' Finley said.
City rules require first-time applicants for various licenses - business, liquor, taxi driver, guard, private detective or solicitor - to submit to a criminal background check. Highway patrol officers conduct the checks at their Jefferson City office, and the paperwork from Columbia sometimes gets trumped by background investigations requested by others.
Finley and city Finance Director Lori Fleming each say the turnaround time on background checks can be improved significantly - two days rather than up to six weeks - by allowing a private company to conduct them.
The city will soon begin accepting proposals from vendors for providing the service."
By MATTHEW LeBLANC of the Tribune’s staff
Published Wednesday, November 8, 2006
City officials say the Missouri State Highway Patrol often takes too long to process criminal background checks on applicants for Columbia business licenses and will ask a private company to conduct the investigations.
Janice Finley, who oversees business licensing for the city’s finance department, said some applicants have waited up to six weeks for a finalized background check state police say only takes 30 minutes to an hour to conduct.
'That’s not a very acceptable practice,' Finley said.
City rules require first-time applicants for various licenses - business, liquor, taxi driver, guard, private detective or solicitor - to submit to a criminal background check. Highway patrol officers conduct the checks at their Jefferson City office, and the paperwork from Columbia sometimes gets trumped by background investigations requested by others.
Finley and city Finance Director Lori Fleming each say the turnaround time on background checks can be improved significantly - two days rather than up to six weeks - by allowing a private company to conduct them.
The city will soon begin accepting proposals from vendors for providing the service."
The Sun News | 11/08/2006 | Experts focus on elder abuse
The Sun News | 11/08/2006 | Experts focus on elder abuse: "The growing problem of elder abuse, including neglect and fraud, was the topic of a public forum Tuesday at Coastal Carolina University.
The CCU Center for Active Aging and Retirement convened an expert panel to discuss what was called a problem that is growing proportionally with an aging population.
Center Director Jan Bowman says the problem is widespread and underreported by formally trained and volunteer caregivers.
'People either didn't realize it was taking place - or they were painfully aware.'
Experts agreed that an integrated response from the community, caregivers, law enforcement, clergy and the medical community will be needed to thwart abuse of those who can no longer fend for themselves."
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
Investigation News > Elder Abuse
The CCU Center for Active Aging and Retirement convened an expert panel to discuss what was called a problem that is growing proportionally with an aging population.
Center Director Jan Bowman says the problem is widespread and underreported by formally trained and volunteer caregivers.
'People either didn't realize it was taking place - or they were painfully aware.'
Experts agreed that an integrated response from the community, caregivers, law enforcement, clergy and the medical community will be needed to thwart abuse of those who can no longer fend for themselves."
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
Investigation News > Elder Abuse
Private investigators: 'Like going on a scavenger hunt when you don't know what you're looking for'
Private investigators: 'Like going on a scavenger hunt when you don't know what you're looking for': "Jeff Means spends 10-hour days staring at a TV screen, editing surveillance videotape shot by his investigators.
The Hazel Green private investigator and founder of Sound Mind Investigations has a marker board in his office filled with a long list of ready-to-be-edited surveillance tapes.
Means and his six-person staff are often hired by individuals in the North Alabama area hoping to win child custody or find out if their spouse is cheating.
While the general perception of the fast-growing field of private investigation is that it's nonstop excitement, local private investigators like Means say that much of the work is tedious.
It requires a lot of patience and common sense, Means said. 'It's got to be in your blood. You don't think it's neat when you're sitting there for 12 to 15 hours watching day turn to night.'
But many PIs — a field expected to grow 18 to 26 percent through 2014 — don't conduct surveillance anymore because many investigative cases aren't the lurk-in-the-shadows variety the public typically thinks of."
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
Investigation News > Investigators in the News
The Hazel Green private investigator and founder of Sound Mind Investigations has a marker board in his office filled with a long list of ready-to-be-edited surveillance tapes.
Means and his six-person staff are often hired by individuals in the North Alabama area hoping to win child custody or find out if their spouse is cheating.
While the general perception of the fast-growing field of private investigation is that it's nonstop excitement, local private investigators like Means say that much of the work is tedious.
It requires a lot of patience and common sense, Means said. 'It's got to be in your blood. You don't think it's neat when you're sitting there for 12 to 15 hours watching day turn to night.'
But many PIs — a field expected to grow 18 to 26 percent through 2014 — don't conduct surveillance anymore because many investigative cases aren't the lurk-in-the-shadows variety the public typically thinks of."
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
Investigation News > Investigators in the News
This Thanksgiving, Wives With Faithful Husbands Have a Lot to Be Thankful For
This Thanksgiving, Wives With Faithful Husbands Have a Lot to Be Thankful For: "“This Thanksgiving, any wife who has a faithful husband has a lot to be thankful for,” says infidelity expert Ruth Houston. “With infidelity now at epidemic proportions, faithful husbands are in short supply. Infidelity in one form or another -- emotional infidelity, internet infidelity, same sex infidelity, workplace infidelity – now affects 80% of all marriages today. Husbands who honor their marriage vows have become the exception, rather than the rule.”
Most Husbands Cheat
“Most wives assume their husbands are faithful.” says Houston, who is the author of Is He Cheating on You ? – 829 Telltale Signs and the founder of InfidelityAdvice.com “But in reality, only 1 wife in 4 can truthfully make that claim. Based on current statistics, an estimated 38 to 53 million women are victims of infidelity. Approximately 55% to 75% of men cheat on their mates.
The Wife is Still the Last to Know
Even more disturbing is the fact that according to studies, 2/3 of these women, at least 26 million unsuspecting wives, have no idea their husbands are having an affair – primarily because they fail to recognize the telltale signs. Since most cheating husbands know how to cover up the obvious signs of infidelity, "
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
Investigation News > Cheating / Infidelity
Most Husbands Cheat
“Most wives assume their husbands are faithful.” says Houston, who is the author of Is He Cheating on You ? – 829 Telltale Signs and the founder of InfidelityAdvice.com “But in reality, only 1 wife in 4 can truthfully make that claim. Based on current statistics, an estimated 38 to 53 million women are victims of infidelity. Approximately 55% to 75% of men cheat on their mates.
The Wife is Still the Last to Know
Even more disturbing is the fact that according to studies, 2/3 of these women, at least 26 million unsuspecting wives, have no idea their husbands are having an affair – primarily because they fail to recognize the telltale signs. Since most cheating husbands know how to cover up the obvious signs of infidelity, "
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
Investigation News > Cheating / Infidelity
Rules About to Change in e-Discovery Game
Rules About to Change in e-Discovery Game: "New federal rules will take effect next month requiring corporations to produce documents in legal cases or face stiff penalties, raising yet another regulatory compliance issue for IT departments.
On December 1, several amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure regarding a company's duty to preserve and produce electronically stored information (ESI) in the face of litigation — or pending litigation — are scheduled to take effect. The rules (specifically Civil Rules 16, 26, 33, 34 and 37) have already been adopted in some states, like New Jersey, and other states, including Texas and California, have already implemented some of the new rules.
As with most new compliance rules, there is some confusion and hand-wringing on the part of enterprises as to what the amendments really mean. In this case, the big question companies are asking of their attorneys, IT people, vendors and compliance officers is: Do the new rules mean we have to drastically alter the way we preserve, retrieve and produce electronic data? The answer to that question: It depends. It depends on what practices, procedures and technology you already have in place (if any), and how susceptible your enterprise is to a lawsuit.
If your company has clearly stated, consistent, across-the-board policies and procedures in place on ESI"
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
Investigation News > Electronic Data Discovery
On December 1, several amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure regarding a company's duty to preserve and produce electronically stored information (ESI) in the face of litigation — or pending litigation — are scheduled to take effect. The rules (specifically Civil Rules 16, 26, 33, 34 and 37) have already been adopted in some states, like New Jersey, and other states, including Texas and California, have already implemented some of the new rules.
As with most new compliance rules, there is some confusion and hand-wringing on the part of enterprises as to what the amendments really mean. In this case, the big question companies are asking of their attorneys, IT people, vendors and compliance officers is: Do the new rules mean we have to drastically alter the way we preserve, retrieve and produce electronic data? The answer to that question: It depends. It depends on what practices, procedures and technology you already have in place (if any), and how susceptible your enterprise is to a lawsuit.
If your company has clearly stated, consistent, across-the-board policies and procedures in place on ESI"
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
Investigation News > Electronic Data Discovery
Computer programs help flag insurance fraud before payment - USATODAY.com
Computer programs help flag insurance fraud before payment - USATODAY.com: "Computer sleuths trying to stop health care fraud say they have a new weapon: computer programs that can flag potential fraud even before medical claims are paid.
'Everyone is trying to see if they can catch the fraud before the check goes out the door,' says Andrea Allmon, director of health care operations at Fair Isaac, a firm known for its credit card scoring model that also sells health fraud detection computer systems.
That's because companies can save far more money by stopping claims before they are paid than trying to get fraudsters to pay back money.
Insurer Aetna says its new computer software helped it stop $89 million in payments before they reached medical providers last year. That compares with the $15 million in fraud repayments it was able to collect after the fact."
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PInow.com Investigation News > Fraud
'Everyone is trying to see if they can catch the fraud before the check goes out the door,' says Andrea Allmon, director of health care operations at Fair Isaac, a firm known for its credit card scoring model that also sells health fraud detection computer systems.
That's because companies can save far more money by stopping claims before they are paid than trying to get fraudsters to pay back money.
Insurer Aetna says its new computer software helped it stop $89 million in payments before they reached medical providers last year. That compares with the $15 million in fraud repayments it was able to collect after the fact."
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
PInow.com Investigation News > Fraud
Medical claims 'mined' to find fraud - USATODAY.com
Medical claims 'mined' to find fraud - USATODAY.com: "Medicare investigators in Los Angeles, using sophisticated computer technology to sift through claims data, saw an unusual pattern: A single patient had apparently undergone a diagnostic rectal-probe procedure 118 times in a year — at 21 medical facilities.
'It's unlikely that could have occurred,' says Kim Brandt, director of program integrity at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 'This person would not have been able to sit on a plane.'
Borrowing techniques from financial and credit services, Medicare and private health insurers are increasingly 'mining' claims data for suspicious patterns, comparing practitioners with their peers and larger databases of claims.
STORY: Computer programs help flag insurance fraud before payment
Medicare investigators found similar cases across a group of diagnostic testing companies, which used improperly obtained Medicare patient identification numbers to bill for the exams, which were likely never performed. Problems were found with other types of tests as well. As a result, 83 diagnostic centers this year lost their billing privileges, and $163 million in payments were denied.
Without the computer program, the fraud might have gone undetected.
'I call it spider-webbing: Find one common denominator (and follow the thread),' says Brandt."
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
PInow.com Investigation News > Fraud
'It's unlikely that could have occurred,' says Kim Brandt, director of program integrity at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 'This person would not have been able to sit on a plane.'
Borrowing techniques from financial and credit services, Medicare and private health insurers are increasingly 'mining' claims data for suspicious patterns, comparing practitioners with their peers and larger databases of claims.
STORY: Computer programs help flag insurance fraud before payment
Medicare investigators found similar cases across a group of diagnostic testing companies, which used improperly obtained Medicare patient identification numbers to bill for the exams, which were likely never performed. Problems were found with other types of tests as well. As a result, 83 diagnostic centers this year lost their billing privileges, and $163 million in payments were denied.
Without the computer program, the fraud might have gone undetected.
'I call it spider-webbing: Find one common denominator (and follow the thread),' says Brandt."
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
PInow.com Investigation News > Fraud
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly: Employment issues raised by civil suit vs. trash co.
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly: Employment issues raised by civil suit vs. trash co.: "A $10 million wrongful-death suit brought against the trash company that employed the man accused of murdering fashion writer Christa Worthington is raising significant questions over an employer's use of background checks on potential employees.
Specifically, lawyers said the civil case being brought by the Worthington estate could expand the duty of care business owners — especially those in businesses where client contact is minimal like a trash collection company — owe to customers when owners become aware of a potential employee's past criminal record.
'It's a huge issue,' said Bruce A. Bierhans of Stoughton, who represents the trash company. 'I remember when the lawsuit first came out, I got a lot of calls from trucking companies and trash companies, concerned about whether they had to go out and do background checks on all the guys driving their trucks now.'
Chester L. Tennyson Jr. of Hingham, who represents the Worthington estate, declined to comment due to the pending nature of both the criminal and civil cases.
Although not involved in the suit, Andrew C. Pickett of Boston said the nature of criminal defendant Christopher McCowen's employment would likely prove to be a highly relevant factor in the case.
'If I was arguing on behalf of the employer, I certainly would say, 'Look,"
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
PInow.com Investigation News > Background Checks
Specifically, lawyers said the civil case being brought by the Worthington estate could expand the duty of care business owners — especially those in businesses where client contact is minimal like a trash collection company — owe to customers when owners become aware of a potential employee's past criminal record.
'It's a huge issue,' said Bruce A. Bierhans of Stoughton, who represents the trash company. 'I remember when the lawsuit first came out, I got a lot of calls from trucking companies and trash companies, concerned about whether they had to go out and do background checks on all the guys driving their trucks now.'
Chester L. Tennyson Jr. of Hingham, who represents the Worthington estate, declined to comment due to the pending nature of both the criminal and civil cases.
Although not involved in the suit, Andrew C. Pickett of Boston said the nature of criminal defendant Christopher McCowen's employment would likely prove to be a highly relevant factor in the case.
'If I was arguing on behalf of the employer, I certainly would say, 'Look,"
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
PInow.com Investigation News > Background Checks
Somerville New Jersey Private Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to introduce their newest investigator in Somerville New Jersey.
J & K Investigative Services, Inc. New Jersey's premier private investigator and process server agency has provided the legal profession and the general public with reliable and efficient services worldwide. Professionalism has been the key to our growth and success. Quality performance and client satisfaction has been the mainstay of this family-owned company.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
J & K Investigative Services, Inc.
J & K Investigative Services, Inc. New Jersey's premier private investigator and process server agency has provided the legal profession and the general public with reliable and efficient services worldwide. Professionalism has been the key to our growth and success. Quality performance and client satisfaction has been the mainstay of this family-owned company.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
J & K Investigative Services, Inc.
Frankfort Illinois Private Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Frankfort Illinois.
STO Investigations, Inc. provides investigative serives through out Will County, IL.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
STO Investigations, Inc.
STO Investigations, Inc. provides investigative serives through out Will County, IL.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
STO Investigations, Inc.
Port Charlotte Florida Private Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Florida.
Southwest Florida Private Investigations originated as the investigative division of Leo Security Services Inc., a full service security and investigative agency. Founded in 1999, Leo Security Services, Inc. is the culmination of over 50 years experience in Security and Investigations by Jim and John Gallagher.
Southwest Florida Private Investigations is fully licensed, serving the following areas in Southwest Florida: Charlotte County Florida, Collier County Florida, Desoto County Florida, Lee County Florida, Manatee County Florida, and Sarasota County Florida.
Southwest Florida Private Investigations originated as the investigative division of Leo Security Services Inc., a full service security and investigative agency. Founded in 1999, Leo Security Services, Inc. is the culmination of over 50 years experience in Security and Investigations by Jim and John Gallagher.
Southwest Florida Private Investigations is fully licensed, serving the following areas in Southwest Florida: Charlotte County Florida, Collier County Florida, Desoto County Florida, Lee County Florida, Manatee County Florida, and Sarasota County Florida.
Georgia Private Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their latest private investigator in Georgia.
Hawk Private Investigations, Inc. is a full service investigative agency, licensed by the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies.
HPI’s professional licensed investigators have a wide variety of backgrounds including private investigators specializing in surveillance operations, former law enforcement personnel, former agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and former Secret Service agents. From these resources we have formed professional alliances and associations with other professional investigators worldwide to accommodate our clients with almost any investigative need.
HPI offers a variety of services to individuals, corporations, and the legal industry including Background Investigations, Child Custody Investigations, Computer Forensics, Domestic Investigations, Due Diligence Investigations, Security Consulting, and Technical Surveillance/ Electronic Countermeasures.
Hawk Private Investigations, Inc. is a full service investigative agency, licensed by the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies.
HPI’s professional licensed investigators have a wide variety of backgrounds including private investigators specializing in surveillance operations, former law enforcement personnel, former agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and former Secret Service agents. From these resources we have formed professional alliances and associations with other professional investigators worldwide to accommodate our clients with almost any investigative need.
HPI offers a variety of services to individuals, corporations, and the legal industry including Background Investigations, Child Custody Investigations, Computer Forensics, Domestic Investigations, Due Diligence Investigations, Security Consulting, and Technical Surveillance/ Electronic Countermeasures.
Corona California Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator to Corona California.
At Alliance Investigative Services, our most important asset is your trust. To us the word "Confidential" applies to every activity undertaken. It's a rule we live by. We strive to provide the best service to our clients in every legal way possible. We have been in the business since 1994 and licensed in California since 2000.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Alliance Investigative Services
At Alliance Investigative Services, our most important asset is your trust. To us the word "Confidential" applies to every activity undertaken. It's a rule we live by. We strive to provide the best service to our clients in every legal way possible. We have been in the business since 1994 and licensed in California since 2000.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Alliance Investigative Services
Saint George Utah Private Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Utah.
ICU Investigations has over 50 years of combined prior experience working in the civil and criminal divisions of government and private business provides a variety of investigative services for the public, private, corporate and legal sectors.
We provide service agreement contracts, rate sheets and a detailed
written report outlining investigation results!
The experience, training, and savvy of our seasoned licensed investigators, former police officers, and certified paralegals will meet your specific needs or develop a plan that works for you. Our process servers and investigators are tenacious and determined to provide you with the results you desire.
ICU Investigations has over 50 years of combined prior experience working in the civil and criminal divisions of government and private business provides a variety of investigative services for the public, private, corporate and legal sectors.
We provide service agreement contracts, rate sheets and a detailed
written report outlining investigation results!
The experience, training, and savvy of our seasoned licensed investigators, former police officers, and certified paralegals will meet your specific needs or develop a plan that works for you. Our process servers and investigators are tenacious and determined to provide you with the results you desire.
Tucson AZ Private Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member to Tucson Arizona.
Acme Investigations, Inc. was formed by a number of accomplished, experienced professional investigators, security and intelligence operatives, lawyers, healthcare professionals and business executives who have worked in the public and private sectors, with extensive experience in the complicated world of national and international business, law, finance and government operations.
Our executive and senior staff include Arizona-based investigation and security professionals, with a network of local contacts and long-term local relationships that ensure our ability to know the environment and context of the case, understand the people involved, and resolve the situations we are retained to investigate, and to protect.
Acme Investigations, Inc. was formed by a number of accomplished, experienced professional investigators, security and intelligence operatives, lawyers, healthcare professionals and business executives who have worked in the public and private sectors, with extensive experience in the complicated world of national and international business, law, finance and government operations.
Our executive and senior staff include Arizona-based investigation and security professionals, with a network of local contacts and long-term local relationships that ensure our ability to know the environment and context of the case, understand the people involved, and resolve the situations we are retained to investigate, and to protect.
Orange County CA Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member to Southern California.
New Technologies Investigative Services is a full service private investigation firm headquartered in the heart of Southern California. We are licensed in the State of California and have established a statewide network of highly trained and qualified private investigators to handle any type of investigation.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
New Technologies Investigative Services
New Technologies Investigative Services is a full service private investigation firm headquartered in the heart of Southern California. We are licensed in the State of California and have established a statewide network of highly trained and qualified private investigators to handle any type of investigation.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
New Technologies Investigative Services
Glendale Private Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Ken Davis Investigations, to the state of Arizona.
Ken Davis Investigations mission is to provide their customers and clients with investigative services that are comprehensive; objective; and court defensible. They will accomplish this by conducting each investigation as unbiased seekers of the truth while adhering to the highest ethical standards, maintaining unimpeachable integrity and practicing utmost confidentiality.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Ken Davis Investigations
Ken Davis Investigations mission is to provide their customers and clients with investigative services that are comprehensive; objective; and court defensible. They will accomplish this by conducting each investigation as unbiased seekers of the truth while adhering to the highest ethical standards, maintaining unimpeachable integrity and practicing utmost confidentiality.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Ken Davis Investigations
Mesquite Texas Private Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, NightHawk Investigations Inc., to Texas.
NightHawk Investigations, Inc. is a full service private investigation firm located in Dallas, Texas. We provide confidential, professional investigative services for all types of cases. We service a wide range of clients, both personal and corporate.
We handle all our cases with complete professionalism, confidentiality and commitment to our clients. We go the extra mile to get the job done, no matter how big or small. Most of our services have a no hit/no fee guarantee. For those cases needing special attention, our hourly rates are the best anywhere.
NightHawk Investigations, Inc. is a full service private investigation firm located in Dallas, Texas. We provide confidential, professional investigative services for all types of cases. We service a wide range of clients, both personal and corporate.
We handle all our cases with complete professionalism, confidentiality and commitment to our clients. We go the extra mile to get the job done, no matter how big or small. Most of our services have a no hit/no fee guarantee. For those cases needing special attention, our hourly rates are the best anywhere.
Monday, November 20, 2006
If A Former Partner is Dating Someone New, Is a Child Custody Investigation A Smart Idea?
There are many things that can affect a child’s safety in a custody situation. One of these things is the new friends and partners that a parent may meet after a divorce.
Child custody problems are more prevalent than most people realize. According to 2003 US census findings, 43.7% of mothers with custody and 56.2% of custodial fathers are separated or divorced. This means that many parents are raising their children while separated from their spouse. Statistics show that the majority of people who divorce eventually remarry or at least form new partnerships. Not surprisingly, custodial parents worry about the influence of these new partners on their children.
They may have a reason to worry. Custody arrangements in a divorce are usually based on information that is current at the time of the divorce. However, the circumstances of a person’s life can change dramatically – usually with no corresponding changes to custody arrangements. A parent may meet a new partner who is a bad influence – or is even actively dangerous – to the child the parent is responsible for.
What are the signs of a problem?
Parents who have partial or full custody have a responsibility to ensure that their child is safe – both with them and with the other partner who shares custody of the child. A big part of that is ensuring that the friends and new partners that a parent has are safe for the child. When a parent starts dating again, there are many signs that the child may not be safe:
- A child does not seem to want to spend time with a custodial parent. This needs to be taken especially seriously if the child was previously eager to see the parent. In some cases, the change may simply occur because the child is upset or confused about the changes in a parent’s life. However, it could also point to an unhealthy new situation.
- Child returns from spending time with their other parent with signs of neglect. A child that returns unwashed, hungry, tired, or improperly dressed for the weather may be suffering from neglect.
- Child returns from spending time with their other parent with signs of abuse. These signs may include withdrawal, acting out, bruises, scratches, and inappropriate language.
- Disturbing information about a former partner’s new friends and acquaintances comes to light. Although listening to gossip is never a good idea, anything upsetting needs to be checked out for the child’s safety.
- A parent is less willing to spend time with the child. While at the start of a new relationship, a parent may want to spend time alone with their new partner, it’s also important to maintain a strong parent-child relationship.
- Changes in a parent’s behavior. If a custodial parent suddenly becomes irresponsible – arriving late to pick up a child or making last-minute changes in plans – or suddenly changes behavioral patterns, that may be a cause for concern. It may indicate changes that can be far from beneficial for the child.
In many cases, simply keeping lines of communication open may be enough to keep everyone concerned feeling comfortable and safe. Meeting a former partner’s new friends and spending time together or discussing concerns frankly helps to waylay many fears. Unfortunately, this type of frankness is not always possible. In those cases where a child’s welfare is at stake, then, many parents turn to a custody investigator to ensure that children stay safe with a custodial parent. Parents can find qualified, experienced investigators as well as useful resources at no charge through the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators. The investigators parents can find through the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators can look into a child’s living situation to ensure that the child stays safe.
Read similar articles by clicking the link below:
Investigation News > Child Custody
Top 10 Reasons To Hire A Mystery Shopper
According to 2005 statistics published by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA), secret shopping services are a $600 million industry in the United States, with more than 8.1 million mystery shops conducted in 2004 alone. Businesses turn in such numbers to secret shopper services because these services offer a number of benefits for companies. Many companies report that these services help them to:
- Improve quality of service. Every business wants to be known for a high level of service, and many companies even spend considerable time and money training employees to provide excellent customer care and support. This does not guarantee that all employees provide the level of helpfulness and assistance that they were hired to provide, though. A secret shopping service can uncover exactly what sort of service customers get – even when there is no supervision of employees.
- Increase sales. Whether a business is service- or product-based, most companies are interested in selling something to someone. Businesses spend considerable effort and money on marketing, but if there is a flaw somewhere in the selling process, customers may be choosing to make purchases elsewhere. Performance audits help businesses to uncover these problems in the selling process so that marketing and sales processes work seamlessly to create more sales and profits.
- Locate potential business hazards. Employee fraud, theft, and dishonesty can all mean lost business – and even potential lawsuits. Mystery shopper services uncover these potential problems so that business owners can act on them – before they bankrupt a company.
- Improve company image and branding. Secret shoppers not only come into the store to see how company employees provide service in person; quality companies can also phone or email a business at various times of the day to determine how good telephone and computer service is. If customers are kept waiting on the telephone or emails are ignored, a company’s reputation may suffer. Performance audits reveal these problems so that business owners can take appropriate action.
- Help with decision making. Employers need to have all the facts before they make hiring, promotion, and business plan decisions. By revealing what works and what does not from a customer’s perspective, mystery shopper services help business owners make these decisions with all the facts in place.
- Answer employer questions. All employers wonder what really happens when they are not around. Virtual customers are the employer’s eyes and ears and can reveal problems that the business owner may be the last to know.
- Gather evidence of trouble. In some cases, employee dishonesty can require action. Even when employees are not performing, though, some employers fear taking action because they fear wrongful dismissal lawsuits. In other cases, employers suspect that crime is taking place – but have no evidence. Secret shopper services can help employers get the evidence they need to act.
- Stop criminal activity. Selling controlled substances to minors, stealing, or selling illegal services and products: These are all fears of most employers. If employees are doing something illegal at work, employers as well as the company may be held liable. Mystery shopping helps employers detect and stop this sort of activity before it threatens a business.
- Manage a business. Most business owners are busy, and keeping track of everything is difficult. Secret shopping services offer owners an additional set of useful, impartial information that can be used in management decisions and changes.
- Get customer insight. Most business owners would love to be able to have direct, unbiased, full information from each customer – what is working, what needs work in a company, what would make shoppers buy? Secret shopper services offer business owners the chance to ask these sorts of questions – and get answers.
Choosing the Right Mystery Shopping Company is Key
Of course, not all secret shoppers offer all the services listed, and many services vary widely in quality and in delivery. Businesses need to be careful to select a good service that offers experience, customer support, and full licensing and insurance for the local area. Some shopping services allow businesses to design their own questionnaires and set the parameters of their own research. It is often useful to pay extra to be able to ask specific questions.
The PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators can help businesses find the right secret shopper services. If a business needs corporate and business investigations as well as performance audits, the PInow.com Worldwide Directory of Private Investigators is an excellent way to find local, qualified investigators who can help.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
New Jersey Private Investigators
24-Seven Investigations, Inc. has several offices located throughout the state of New Jersey:
- Atlantic County - Atlantic City NJ
- Burlington County - Mount Laurel NJ
- Camden County - Cherry Hill NJ
- Gloucester County - Harrisonville NJ
- Mercer County - Trenton NJ
- Middlesex County - Edison NJ
- Ocean County - Toms River NJ
Chandler Arizona Private Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, SEBIA LLC, to the state of Arizona.
SEBIA, LLC Investigations is a full service investigative agency. We can help you with all of your investigative needs. Our investigators are specialized in a wide range of investigations, and will help solve your problem. We are dedicated to bringing you the answers you need.
Some of the most recent cases we have handled include:
SEBIA, LLC Investigations is a full service investigative agency. We can help you with all of your investigative needs. Our investigators are specialized in a wide range of investigations, and will help solve your problem. We are dedicated to bringing you the answers you need.
Some of the most recent cases we have handled include:
- Stalking
- Witness Locates
- Cheating Spouse
- Unsafe Work Conditions
- Workman’s Compensation
- Insurance Fraud
- Computer Forensics
- Surveillance
- Locating Friends, Family, or Heirs
- Welfare Checks
- Criminal Investigation
- Civil Investigation
- Background Checks
Port Saint Lucie Florida Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Sun State Investigative Services Inc, to the state of Florida.
Sun State Investigative Services, Inc. provides professional research and investigative services to the legal and the business communities. We are highly skilled in the use of the premier public, proprietary, media, and government databases for which we have access locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally. In depth quality research, combined with the superior investigative methods produce facts and solutions that not only work for you, but give you the confidence that your investigations are in the right hands.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Sun State Investigative Services, Inc.
Sun State Investigative Services, Inc. provides professional research and investigative services to the legal and the business communities. We are highly skilled in the use of the premier public, proprietary, media, and government databases for which we have access locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally. In depth quality research, combined with the superior investigative methods produce facts and solutions that not only work for you, but give you the confidence that your investigations are in the right hands.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Sun State Investigative Services, Inc.
New York New York Private Investigator
The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest member, Pinnacle Protective Services Inc, to the state of New York.
Pinnacle Protective Services reputation within the legal, manufacturing, insurance, and investigative communities is unparalleled. Pinnacle Protective Services, Inc., provides a full range of investigative specialties. From the cutting edge of Information Technology to Sam Spade tradecraft, our professional investigators will provide you with the knowledge and evidence you need, be it locally, nationally, or internationally.
We apply multiple disciplines to arrive at solutions for cases that may morph as the problems or issues change. In depth quality research, combined with the superior investigative methods produce facts and solutions that not only work for you, but give you the confidence that your investigations are in the right hands.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Pinnacle Protective Services Inc
Pinnacle Protective Services reputation within the legal, manufacturing, insurance, and investigative communities is unparalleled. Pinnacle Protective Services, Inc., provides a full range of investigative specialties. From the cutting edge of Information Technology to Sam Spade tradecraft, our professional investigators will provide you with the knowledge and evidence you need, be it locally, nationally, or internationally.
We apply multiple disciplines to arrive at solutions for cases that may morph as the problems or issues change. In depth quality research, combined with the superior investigative methods produce facts and solutions that not only work for you, but give you the confidence that your investigations are in the right hands.
For more information please see the PInow.com profile page for:
Pinnacle Protective Services Inc
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