Our brains have a number of decision-making tools that we use to come to conclusions and speed up decision-making. Called heuristics, we use experience, prior understanding, education, and other factors to focus in on the correct decision quickly. In most cases, such as reaching into the closet when we are getting dressed for work, this speedy decision-making is automatic and helpful. When a situation or decision becomes more complex, however, the limitation of our decision-making shortcuts become evident. Unfortunately, sometimes we end up on the short end of the decision-making stick, when a situation needs more detailed understanding and investigation. Especially in situations in which our safety or freedom may be in jeopardy, the wrong thing to do is accept a quick, but incorrect, conclusion.

Private investigators are heavily utilized by lawyers and other court officials to get some trickier jobs done. One of the most popular ways that a private investigator is utilized is as a process server. Process serving is the act of serving people with official legal documents. Whether it is a court summons or other legal action, these documents need to be officially served to their recipient. In many states, these documents can't just be mailed out, they need to be physically placed in the hands (or simply "touch the body") of the recipient so that there is proof that they received them. This is what makes process serving so tricky.

Pre-employment checks and background checks are an important hiring factor that many small companies will overlook. Getting a background check done gives the business owner invaluable information that can assure them about their employment decisions. The cost of a background check can be what saves the employer financially and with all the dedicated work that goes into owning a small business, it shouldn’t be lost to a misguided employee.