Posts 2016-2025

The holiday season should be a time of celebration, connection, and joy. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the busiest times of year for scammers. With people shopping online, mailing gifts, traveling, and donating to charities, criminals take advantage of the increased activity—and the distractions that come with the season. At Bearden Investigative Agency, we see firsthand how holiday-related scams impact individuals, families, and businesses. Awareness is the first line of

In the legal world, winning a case doesn’t just depend on what happens in the courtroom—it often hinges on the preparation that takes place long before trial begins. Attorneys know that having the right facts, people, and evidence can mean the difference between a strong argument and a shaky one. That’s where private investigators step in. By providing specialized support in areas like skip tracing, witness location, plaintiff development , and evidence gathering, investigat

We all know the internet never forgets—but few people realize just how much of their personal story can be pieced together from digital breadcrumbs. Every social media post, tagged photo, or even forgotten profile adds to what’s known as your digital footprint. For private investigators, this trail can be a valuable tool in uncovering facts. For the average person, it’s a reminder that what you share online—even years ago—can resurface in ways you may never expect. What I

You’ve probably heard of what’s being called the “Idaho 4” homicide case on social media, where 4 college students of the University of Idaho were stabbed to death in the middle of the night by a man who broke into their house in 2022. The case went viral online, with many people thinking they would be the ones to solve the case that seemed to be going cold. There were numerous videos and TikToks of people surveying footage from that night and making assumptions about who cou

We’ve all seen the movie trope: a private investigator sitting in a parked car at 2 a.m., sipping gas station coffee, peering through binoculars, waiting to catch a cheating spouse in the act. It’s iconic. But it’s also outdated. You might assume that’s still how most surveillance happens—or maybe you’ve swung in the other direction and think technology has made field work completely obsolete. The truth? It’s somewhere in between. Modern private investigation is a strategic

At BIA, we have seen an increase in Pig Butchering, and we understand how devastating a scam like this can can be. The name derives from the notion of “fattening up” a victim before ultimately taking their money. In this context, scammers build a relationship with their targets, often via social media or dating apps, and gradually manipulate them into investing in fraudulent schemes or sending money. Identify Red Flags: We provide consultations to help you recognize the warni

At Bearden Investigative Agency, we understand that the holiday season, while joyful for many, often brings unique challenges requiring professional investigative support. With decades of experience and a lawyer-led, technology-driven approach, we are uniquely positioned to assist individuals, corporations, and legal professionals during this busy time of year. Defending Against Cybersecurity Threats Cybercrime knows no holidays and businesses are particularly vulnerable to

Did you know that thought leaders from Bearden Investigative Agency teach one of Lawline Magazine’s top 25 CLEs ? If that isn’t reason enough, here are eight more reasons to partner with BIA: Our specialized knowledge allows us to providevaluable perspectives on your cases, enhancing your strategic approach. Our thorough attorney-led investigations uncover critical evidence that can strengthen your cases, leading to better client outcomes. We facilitate efficient coll

A private investigator, also known as a PI, can help with family law and child custody cases by gathering evidence to support claims that a parent or guardian is unfit to care for a child. This evidence can include: 1. Witness statements PIs can identify and interview witnesses, such as people at the parent’s work, friends, or neighbors. These interviews can be recorded and used as evidence. 2. Surveillance PIs can observe a parent to see if they engage in illegal activit

Rushing to onboard new employees or contractors can lead to serious risks. Prioritizing speed over thorough vetting may jeopardize sensitive information, valuable assets, and your brand’s reputation. Bearden’s attorney led investigators have the specialized knowledge, resources, and techniques to thoroughly vet an individual’s background.—————————————————————————————————————————————— In today’s fast paced business world, rushing to onboard new employees or contractors can lea

In the private investigation profession, taking on complex white-collar financial fraud cases requires a unique blend of skills – tenacious research paired with discretion. As financial schemes grow increasingly sophisticated to exploit vulnerable victims, dedicated professionals are critical to helping authorities piece together the facts. In this article, I’ll provide insight from decades assisting in investigations subjecting corporate fraud, tax evasion, money laundering

As anyone who has ever done surveillance work can tell you, going into a job without proper preparation is just begging for trouble. That’s why planning ahead with pre-surveillance is key! When it comes to gathering intel or keeping tabs on a person of interest, the old adage “failing to plan means planning to fail” is particularly true. Rushing in half-cocked rarely leads to good outcomes and can seriously compromise the integrity of your operation—or worse. That’s why pre-

One of the most important yet delicate aspects of my job as an investigator is conducting interviews with young victims. These young witnesses have already endured unspeakable trauma and depending on how the interview is handled, they could potentially face more distress through the process. It’s therefore crucial that I have specialized training and empathy to fulfill my duty of gathering needed information, while placing the child’s wellbeing above all else. When a crime h

Protecting our business is any owner’s top priority. While fostering talent and innovation, we also face non-compete violation risks in our competitive industry. Nothing threatens success like losing prized talent who drives key initiatives – especially when they take our most sensitive strategies and client insights to rivals. This ’employee poaching’ leaves us vulnerable just as opportunities for growth emerge. To shield investments made cultivating specialized skills and

Political opposition research plays a vital role in democratic societies by providing voters with a comprehensive understanding of candidates and their positions. It serves as a critical tool for evaluating the qualifications, integrity, and policy positions of individuals seeking public office. Ensuring Informed Decision-Making: Political opposition research ensures that voters have access to a wide range of information about candidates. By examining the backgrounds, vot

Surveillance is one of the most commonly requested or required investigative services we provide for our clients. There is nothing quite as powerful as factual evidence of a person’s whereabouts and daily behaviors. Properly conducted surveillances yield incredible results that can make or break a case in court or greatly help with personal or business negotiations. What sets Bearden Investigative Agency apart from many other agencies is our utilization of Team Surveillance

Wes Bearden, Chairman of the Board of Bearden Investigative Agency, was a guest on the PI Perspectives Podcast this week. PI Perspectives is a weekly podcast run by private investigator, Matt Spaier. Joining Wes on this week’s podcast was Alex Urbelis, Mike Lacorte, and Scot Walker. Episode #190 which aired on June 4, 2023, is packed with great content as this panel of guests discussed a very hot topic right now… Artificial Intelligence, Deep Fakes and how they are affecting

A Technical Surveillance Counter Measure (TSCM) sweep is a search by skilled agents to locate electronic eavesdropping, video voyeurism, GPS tracking, and/or data theft devices. Sadly, covert eavesdropping has become far more common than people realize. Assuring your personal privacy, protecting sensitive information, and keeping your intellectual property where it belongs is paramount. When Bearden Investigative Agency provides a professional evaluation of your home or bu

Director of Investigations – Dr. Sonya Melville Dr. Sonya Melville has devoted the past 20 years to caring for the sick or injured, working both in academic medical centers, teaching residents in training, as well as in community ER’s as an Emergency Medicine Physician. Majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry, Dr. Melville graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Louisiana – Monroe. She then went on to receive her Doctor of Medicine from Louisiana State Universi

If you’re a trial lawyer or attorney looking for the most reliable investigative agency to support complex legal cases , then you’ve come to the right place. Attorney-led Bearden Investigative Agency has the personnel, resources and experience you need to handle even the most daunting cases. Our investigative services span beyond just one location, allowing us to conduct investigations in multiple states and even foreign countries. Read on to learn more about how we can help