Working PIby Jim Nanos, Senior Contributor at Working PI
As private investigators, we live in an era of rapidly advancing technology, where leveraging the right tools and technologies can significantly enhance the efficiency, accuracy, client satisfaction, and profitability of our business (after all, we are operating a for-profit business!).
Among these tools, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer, particularly ChatGPT—a language model developed by OpenAI. ChatGPT offers a range of benefits to private investigators, from streamlining report writing to assisting in various components of research, client communication, and case analysis.
Gone are the days when the “new” IBM Selectric II electric typewriter “WITH CORRECTION” was space-age technology and left many of us speechless (yes, I’m dating myself here!). This article explores how ChatGPT can benefit private investigators, with a specific focus on report writing as well as other practical applications. We will, however, only scratch the surface of the many uses of this incredible tool. Here are some practical uses and considerations:
Report Writing
Even seasoned investigators can struggle with grammar, spelling, or sentence structure when drafting reports under tight deadlines. I’m a private investigator, not an English major—and sometimes it shows!
Often, we read and re-read our reports so many times we begin to miss those mistakes seemingly so obvious to others. Up until recently, I had been seeking the help of one of my adult daughters who are both schoolteachers to help proof those large, complicated reports. But ChatGPT can proofread and enhance your drafts, ensuring they meet high professional standards and are free of errors. The investigator can literally copy and paste the report narrative into ChatGPT and in seconds, the report will be proofed, checked for grammar and restructured if needed into a final product. What once took hours and hours of proofreading and sometimes re-writes can be completed in seconds, and often with a much higher level of accuracy.
Supporting Investigative Research and Techniques
Another valuable application of ChatGPT lies in conducting investigative research. While ChatGPT cannot access live or private databases, the tool can help describe in a clear, professional return, what you may have unsuccessfully been trying to explain.
Think about a cohabitation investigation, for example, where you conduct extensive surveillance, documenting where your target’s motor vehicle is parked overnight. While as investigators we know the importance of documenting where one’s car is as it relates to where the individual may “be”, how do we explain this in understandable terms?
We know the importance and connection, if you will, between an individual and their car’s location. A few simple lines into the tool and an easy-to-read and understandable paragraph is returned that can be used in every report moving forward. It’s that easy!
Tools are being developed, and are actually available now, allowing us to input hundreds of hours of video into the tool and set the parameter to, for example, “create a list of the dates and times the red car arrives and leaves the residence” with the tool returning the list. Think about how this can be expanded. While the tools available right now for video review, for example, are not 100 percent reliable and dependable in my opinion, we will get there soon—and I don’t mean years when I say soon!
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Assisting With Marketing and Business Operations
Running a private investigation business involves more than just investigative work and reports. ChatGPT can support your business operations and marketing efforts in several other ways. Maintaining a professional online presence is crucial for attracting new clients in the private investigation industry. ChatGPT can assist by drafting blog posts or articles showcasing your expertise in areas such as surveillance, cohabitation and criminal defense investigations. Additionally, it can create engaging social media content to market your services and develop email newsletters to keep clients informed about industry trends and updates regarding your business.
Administrative duties can be time-consuming, but ChatGPT can streamline these tasks by writing professional responses to client inquiries, generating contracts or service agreements, and assisting with scheduling and reminders through clear and concise communication.
Some Concerns
While ChatGPT offers many benefits, it’s important to use the tool responsibly. Private investigators handle sensitive and confidential information, so it’s essential to avoid inputting private data. Never share personally identifiable information (PII) with ChatGPT, to ensure compliance with privacy laws and ethical standards. Always verify AI outputs, as ChatGPT is highly capable but not infallible. Fact-check its suggestions or content before using what it returns in your reports or communications.
We should maintain professional judgment by using ChatGPT as a supplemental aid, not a replacement for your expertise and critical thinking skills. In true 1960s TV superhero talk—only use the tool for good and never evil!
For established private investigation businesses, integrating ChatGPT into your workflow can lead to significant advantages. Time savings can be achieved by automating routine tasks like report drafting, email writing, and research, allowing you to focus on more complex investigative work. Cost efficiency is enhanced by reducing reliance on additional administrative staff or outsourced writing services. Enhanced professionalism is evident through well-written reports and polished client communications, which boost your reputation and client satisfaction. Scalability is also improved, as ChatGPT’s handling of repetitive tasks enables you to take on more cases without compromising quality.
Conclusion
ChatGPT is a versatile tool that can support private investigators in numerous aspects of their work. From streamlining report writing for surveillance, cohabitation and criminal defense investigations for example, to enhancing client communication and business operations.
The AI tool offers significant advantages and by using ChatGPT responsibly and ethically, private investigators can improve efficiency, maintain high professional standards, and grow their businesses in an increasingly competitive industry. As technology continues to evolve, embracing tools like ChatGPT ensures that your investigative practice remains at the forefront of innovation. The future is here—partner with it and grow your PI business!
About the Author
Jim Nanos is a licensed private investigator in New Jersey and Senior Contributor to Working PI magazine. He offers training on ChatGPT and AI assistance in 2-, 4-, and 8-hour classes, including live use of the tool. Nanos can be contacted for conferences and speaking engagements by visiting The PI Coach website, ThePICoach.com, or through his private investigations firm, Apple Investigations, Apple Investigations.com.
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