There are many reasons to include an investigator as part of your criminal defense strategy. An experienced investigator can review evidence and help identify any exculpatory information that may have been overlooked or missed. They can visit the crime scene, conduct a thorough investigation, take photos and measurements, analyze angles, gather video evidence, and search for witnesses. They can also run background checks on prosecution witnesses to uncover any credibility issues that might impact their testimony.

However, one of the most important—and often overlooked—reasons to use an investigator is for witness interviews. Many attorneys prefer to conduct their own interviews, and while many are highly skilled at it, there’s one major limitation: an attorney cannot testify about what a witness said in an interview if that witness later changes their story. An investigator, on the other hand, can be called to testify and may even have a recorded statement to verify what was actually said.

Not all private investigators come from law enforcement backgrounds, and there are many excellent investigators who haven’t. However, when it comes to criminal defense work, there are certain advantages to hiring an investigator who has worked “on the other side.” Investigators with law enforcement experience understand the rules of evidence, chain of custody, probable cause, and the standard procedures police use when building a case.

Defense attorneys typically don’t have the time to visit crime scenes, collect video evidence before it’s erased, canvas for additional witnesses, or track down difficult-to-find individuals. Reviewing hours of security camera footage from a nearby business isn’t the best use of an attorney’s valuable time—but it’s exactly the kind of work a skilled investigator can handle.

Time is critical in every criminal defense case. Evidence and witnesses that exist today might not be available tomorrow. Every investigator has faced the frustration of joining a case too late—only to find that video footage has been overwritten or witnesses no longer remember crucial details. The Constitution guarantees every defendant a fair trial. Ensure your client gets the best possible defense by involving an investigator as early as possible.

While this article focuses on criminal defense investigations, the same principles apply to divorce cases, child custody disputes, personal injury claims, and more. The investigative process remains the same, and the work product your investigator delivers can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.

For example, in a personal injury case, an investigator might uncover evidence that could harm your client’s position. Learning about that information early allows the attorney to prepare and mitigate the damage before trial. In divorce or custody cases, surveillance can document behavior that supports your client’s claims.

For further insight, the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) published a White Paper on the importance of investigators and experts in criminal defense cases:
👉 MIDC White Paper on Experts and Investigators (PDF)

The following excerpts from the White Paper highlight the issue:

“The need for substantially increased trial-level investigation in Michigan is demonstrated by the fact that appellate investigations have led to fact development and exonerations for a significant number of clients, where little or no investigation was done by trial counsel.”

“One report by the Lansing State Journal found that across three counties, indigent defense attorneys only used outside investigators in two percent of cases during 2015. One district court in south central Michigan has not received a single request for an investigator in twenty years. Another district court denied a motion for an investigator solely because the judge had never seen one appointed before.”

Add an investigator to your team as soon as a case lands on your desk and gather the evidence you need to gain an advantage at trial. Vantage Point Investigations brings experience, integrity, and creative problem-solving to every case. The right vantage point gives an investigator the perspective to see what others have missed—and possibly change the trajectory of the case.

Key Benefits of Using an Investigator

Hiring a professional investigator as part of your legal or defense strategy offers advantages that can dramatically improve your case results. Here are some of the most impactful benefits:

1. Uncover Overlooked or Hidden Evidence

Investigators can re-examine the case files, visit the crime scene, and identify exculpatory evidence that law enforcement or prosecution may have missed.

2. Conduct Thorough Crime Scene Analysis

They can take detailed photographs, make measurements, analyze physical evidence, gather video footage, and identify additional witnesses.

3. Provide Credible Witness Testimony Support

When investigators conduct interviews, they can be called to testify and verify statements—something attorneys cannot do for their own interviews.

4. Offer Law Enforcement Perspective

Investigators with prior police experience understand chain of custody, rules of evidence, and investigative procedures—giving them an edge in finding weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

5. Save Attorneys Valuable Time

Attorneys can focus on legal strategy while investigators handle time-consuming fieldwork such as canvassing, interviewing, and video review.

6. Preserve Time-Sensitive Evidence

Investigators act quickly to secure evidence—like surveillance footage or witness statements—before they are lost, overwritten, or forgotten.

7. Strengthen the Overall Defense Strategy

By gathering reliable information early, investigators help attorneys craft stronger, fact-based defense arguments that hold up in court.

8. Apply to Multiple Case Types

The same investigative skills benefit other cases like divorce, child custody, and personal injury by revealing facts that can change outcomes.

9. Identify Damaging Evidence Early

Discovering unfavorable evidence before trial allows attorneys to prepare responses or negotiate more effectively.

10. Deliver Objective, Detailed Reports

Investigators provide professional documentation and recordings that strengthen your case and may prove critical in securing a favorable result.