Since private investigators are usually comprised of former law enforcement personnel, their knowledge, methods, and experience can either with or without the police department investigate criminal matters. Sometimes there are certain matters that local law enforcement considers to be a low priority, or perhaps there is not enough manpower to conduct a thorough investigation. This is where the services of a private investigator can prove to be useful. Private investigators use the same tactics as law enforcement agencies and usually have the same contacts to be able to collaborate in active police investigations.

In recent years, stalking has become a fairly common crime of passion that the police department simply does not have the manpower to deal with. In recent years, stalkers have gotten more and more insidious, infiltrating computers and phone lines. In either case, it is unwanted harassment that is considered dangerous. It can escalate into other forms of illegal behavior such as identity theft or damage to personal and private property. Providing evidence to law enforcement agencies helps them to more efficiently enforce any type of restraining order.
Investigations into charges of abuse are better handled by the private investigator as well. Adult and child protective services are overwhelmed with the sheer number of investigations needed to be carried out, often resulting in inaccurate or incomplete data, potentially endangering the child or adult. Conducting in-depth analysis of the situation, gathering facts, and providing an end result can prove beneficial to the overworked social worker and social system to determine the need for intervention in all types of abuse cases.

Computer crimes have gotten out of control in recent years due to exponential dependence of businesses, industries and those in the private sector on the computer and the Internet. This has led to new computer-related crimes popping up every day. Prosecuting these crimes can be problematic to say the least. Types of computer crimes include: intellectual property theft, child pornography, forgery, invasion of privacy, extortion, computer sabotage, embezzlement, unleashing devastating viruses in the public arena, cyber stalking, identity theft as well as a host of other potentially damaging computer invasions. The laws are getting better at protecting and prosecuting computer crimes. However, it is still a difficult process, so using an experienced trained private investigator who can determine what is admissible in court and what is not is the best course of action. Attempting to do this without professional help can result in the criminal or criminals not getting the punishment they deserve. As with everything computer related, prevention is always key.

The private investigator can also be hired by law enforcement personnel as an adjunct to their efforts when their investigations have come to a stand-still. As the private investigator more than likely has a background in law enforcement, they tend to have the same contacts and abilities to learn information as the police do. Therefore, they are used in conjunction with other police personnel to investigate everything from homicide to DUIs to narcotics to parole violations.

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