Private investigators conduct all kinds of work. Some is very cut and dry, what I call “a to b” work. Other work is not as straightforward. That’s where I fit.
The majority of my cases include identifying, locating, and contacting biological parents. Various factors dictate where and how far these cases go, as well as their outcomes.
Identify
I work in sections. My first task is to identify the biological parent(s). This can involve DNA registries and family trees, adoption paperwork, ordering original birth certificates, contacting adoption agencies and hospitals, or even interviewing doctors and attorneys. Occasionally I never get past this stage if my client decides it’s too much work or they’ve changed their mind and no longer wish to follow through with a search. For me, this happens about 15% of the time. Choosing to identify biological parents is not easy. Having the patience to endure the process can also be very difficult and time-consuming.
Locate
After identifying the birth parent(s), the next step is locating them. This is a big decision and can be a heartbreaking one because 33% of the time, I discover one or both birth parents are deceased. Some of my clients feel guilt or remorse for failing to search sooner. Others feel a terrible sense of loss in never being able to make contact with their birth mom or birth dad. It’s tough. But 67% of the time, I am able to give the good news to my client that their birth mother and/or birth father are still living.
However, it is certainly worth noting that plenty of my clients whose birth parents have been determined to be deceased have forged onward to create fulfilling and lasting relationships with biological siblings, half siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and beyond. Many of my clients’ questions still get answered and they are able to discover much about their birth parents’ health, hobbies, personalities, and history.
Contact
When it comes to the last step, attempting contact, this can get tricky. Not everyone wants to be found. Not everyone is in a good place when I contact them. Life is messy. Over the last 5.5 years, 13% of the birth parents I have contacted have refused any contact with the son or daughter who has searched them out. Again, even when this happens, some clients have established relationships with other biological family members. Though a closed door is a closed door, there are sometimes other doors to explore. And you never know when that door that’s been shut so tight for so long might open up a bit.