How to Document Evidence for a Private Investigation

A written timeline: Write down every suspicious event you have observed, with specific dates, times, and locations. Include what you saw, heard, or discovered, not your interpretation of it, just the facts. This timeline helps your PI identify patterns and plan surveillance windows.

Digital evidence: Screenshot text messages, social media posts, emails, and any other digital communications that are relevant. Do not delete anything. Save screenshots to a secure location the subject cannot access.

Financial records: If your case involves hidden assets, fraud, or financial misconduct, gather bank statements, credit card statements, and any other financial records you have legitimate access to.

Do not attempt surveillance yourself: Following someone yourself creates legal risk (stalking laws), tips off the subject, and produces evidence that is typically inadmissible in court because you are a party to the case.

Do not access the subject's accounts: Accessing someone else's phone, email, or social media accounts without their consent is a federal crime under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and a state crime under Texas Penal Code §33.02. Evidence obtained this way is inadmissible and exposes you to criminal liability.

Do not confront the subject: Confronting the subject before your PI has gathered sufficient evidence eliminates the element of surprise and may cause them to destroy evidence or change their behavior.