Private Investigators in Texas

In Texas, all private investigators must be licensed through the Texas Commission on Private Security. In order to obtain their license, private investigators must pass Texas’s rigorous licensing requirements, including an in-depth background check. Obtaining a Private Investigator’s license in Texas is a little different than in most other states. There is no written exam required, but generally applicants must be employed by a Private Investigation firm prior to applying to the Commission on Private Security. The employer will then apply for the Private Investigator’s license on the employee’s behalf. Essentially, companies apply for and receive licenses; individuals apply for and receive registrations through private companies. A four-year degree in Criminal Justice or previous employment with the police force can be exchanged for "paid experience" requirements. Many private investigators in Texas come from military or police backgrounds, though there are alternate forms of experience that are equally desirable.

In the state of Texas, like most other states, it is illegal to act as a private investigator without a Texas Private Investigator License from the Texas Commission on Private Security. ICS strictly adheres to all federal, state, and local laws, so rest assured that any ICS private investigator assigned to your case will be an authorized subcontractor who is fully licensed, insured, and up to date with all continuing education requirements. At ICS, our Texas private investigators meet or exceed all industry standards, providing you with effective and discreet investigative services.

Adultery, Infidelity or Cheating Spouse Investigations

Being the victim of infidelity is never easy, but if you suspect your partner is cheating, you deserve to know the truth. ICS can obtain the proof you need to move forward with your case and protect yourself and your interests from an unfaithful lover. Some common suspicious behaviors amongst cheaters are excessive or secretive computer use, hiding of cell phone and personal finances, working uncharacteristically late or going on business trips at the last minute, lack of, or a sudden increase in sexual appetite, being diagnosed with an STD (even STDs with long incubation periods should be considered suspicious), abnormal activity on the home phone like hang ups when you answer or hang-ups after a specific number of rings, or claiming that a wedding ring has been lost or stolen. If your partner is engaging in these or other suspect activities, contact ICS to begin an investigation today.

Adultery can play an enormous role in Texas divorce cases. Adultery is not illegal in Texas, in the sense that neither party can be sent to jail for carrying out an affair, but proof of an extramarital affair is grounds for divorce (Texas is an "at fault" state). A Private Investigator from ICS can obtain the proof you need to prove your case to a judge. It is especially important to gain as much proof as possible because Texan judges have an exceptionally large amount of wiggle room in determining property distribution and child custody. Some judges may not care about the affair, while others may automatically find the adulterer to be at fault. Nationally, 53% of marriages end in divorce, 57% of men and 54% of women admit to cheating in past or current relationships, and the average affair lasts for 2 years. The state of Texas averages about 80,000 divorces a year (about 3.4 divorces per 1,000 residents), with many marriages ending within two years. If you are going through divorce or are considering applying for a divorce in Texas, let ICS help you obtain the information you need to prove your case.

Even if you aren’t married, a private investigator can reveal invaluable information about the affair, such as the number of additional partners being seen and the amount of money being spent on the affair(s). An investigation with ICS will answer all these questions and more, helping to empower you in this difficult time.

Child Custody, Visitation and Support Investigations

In child custody cases, the primary concern for all parties involved is to protect the welfare of the child. In the state of Texas, there are 62,000 children affected by divorce each year, and child custody arrangements must be made by a judge for each and every child. When a judge from Family Court determines who will receive custody of a child in Texas they take several factors into account, including a parent’s ability to provide a loving, clean, safe, and stable environment for the child, and what the terms of the divorce were-proof of adultery or spousal abuse can result in automatic loss of custody rights for the "guilty" parent. If a custody battle ensues in Texas, a judge will determine custody after both parents have presented their case. Judges in Texas generally prefer to grant joint custody when possible, but if one (or both) parents file for sole custody the judge will make their determination based on who is the "better" parent. It is wise to bring proof that you are the better parent, rather than "trash talking" the other parent. ICS can help you find the information you need to make a case for sole custody. Every year 50% of parents entitled to child support money never receive the full amount owed to them, with 25% getting no money at all, even though a court has required the other parent to pay. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for government agencies to accurately assess a child’s living situation due to limited state and federal funding, and it is impossible for them to follow through on every case.

If you feel your child’s best interests are not being met by your current custody arrangements, or if child support payments aren’t being made, ICS can help provide the proof you need to take your case in front of a judge. In the course of the child custody investigation, ICS might need to speak to friends, family, childcare workers, and co-workers to get the clearest picture of your child’s welfare. At ICS, we will focus solely on your case, and have access to be the best tools and resources available to provide a thorough, discreet and professional investigation. We can solve your case using surveillance, skip tracing, hidden asset checks, public record searches, undercover investigations, and much more.

Missing Person and Locate Person Investigations

Traditionally, missing persons cases are handled by local law enforcement and the FBI, in collaboration with the AMBER Alert system. In Texas, local law enforcement is required to file a missing persons report immediately with the National Crime Information Center, which automatically enters information about the missing person in the Missing Persons Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse is essential in providing information to all relevant parties, helping to create interdepartmental and cross-county communication. Texas police advise you to report a missing person immediately; waiting 24 hours could be detrimental to their investigation and is not required by law, as is the case in some other states. But these institutions can't always help, and often are bound by laws and regulations that may prevent them from even recognizing an individual as a Missing Person. Unfortunately, this is especially true in cases involving missing adults. Many lost person cases simply fall outside the scope of criminal investigations, for instance, if you’re searching for a friend or family member with whom you have lost contact. ICS can help you find someone whether a crime has been committed or not, even if the police have already attempted to solve the case. If you have an unsolved missing person case, or need to locate a lost person in Texas ICS can help. If you want to reconnect with a loved one, find your birth parents or locate a debtor/defrauder, contact ICS to begin your investigation today.

Texas Background Checks

If you need a background check performed on an individual living in Texas, or if you live in Texas and need a background check performed out of state, ICS can help. Background checks are one the most common and well known tools a Texas private investigator can provide. Often, a background check is the only information a client needs. In cases where a more in-depth investigation is called for, the background check is a great starting point, providing the investigator and client with valuable leads to pursue. If you need a Texas background check, or if you have a case involving one, ICS is ready to work for you to provide the discreet and confidential service you need in a delicate and professional manner. ICS has been helping people in Texas just like you get results since 1967.

Computer and Cellular Forensics

In an increasingly technological world, it has become more important-and more difficult-to keep your personal information safe. Part of keeping your information safe involves knowing who has been accessing your personal electronic devices, and determining if information has been viewed or copied. ICS can retrieve and analyze data from electronic storage devices, like desktop and laptop computers, network servers, external storage drives, flash drives, digital cameras, smart phones such as the iPhone or Android phones, and more. All data retrieval methods used by ICS are complaint with all federal and Texas state laws, so any data recovered will be available to use as evidence. In addition to recovering emails, instant messages, and text messages, ICS also offers virus and spyware detection and removal, pornography detection, email tracing, computer and network intrusion detection and prevention, Internet history evaluation, and hidden files detection. Contact ICS today to ensure that your data and digital devices are safe. ICS can help protect you from the increasing threat of identity theft.

Technical Surveillance Countermeasures

Technical Surveillance Countermeasures are steps taken to detect and prevent unwanted surveillance. Technical surveillance often takes the form of eavesdropping by bugging a house, tapping a phone line, or installing hidden cameras, with the intention of committing corporate espionage, privacy invasion, extortion, identity theft, information theft, or stalking. Being the victim of technical surveillance can endanger your personal safety, and leaves you vulnerable to potential financial damages. To ensure that you haven’t fallen prey to technical surveillance, ICS will perform a technical surveillance countermeasures sweep, which consists of sweeping for bugs, performing a physical and electronic inspection of the area to check for infrared, laser, audio recording, hidden cameras, wireless microphones, radio transmitters, phone taps, GPS tracking, and cell phone interceptors.