Private investigator:
frequently asked questions.

A private investigator authorised under article 134 of the TULPS (the Italian consolidated public security act) can conduct investigations on behalf of private individuals, companies, law firms and insurance companies. They can gather information through field observation, document analysis, open sources (OSINT) and qualified databases. They operate in public spaces or spaces accessible to the public, in compliance with the GDPR and the dignity of the person. They have no coercive powers and no access to confidential communications.

They cannot carry out wiretapping of phone calls or private conversations, access confidential communications, breach a private residence, obtain phone records or protected data, or operate outside the authorisation granted by the Prefecture. They cannot conduct investigations for intimidating or retaliatory purposes. A professional investigator knows these limits and respects them: that is the difference between a legitimate service and an unlawful activity.

A private investigation agency, authorised under article 134 of the TULPS, gathers information and documents conduct under a client's engagement, in compliance with Italian and European law. It is not a police force, it has no coercive powers, and it does not access confidential data held by the authorities. It works through field observation, document analysis, open sources and qualified databases.

In Italian professional practice, the distinction is one of scope. An investigation agency works on specific engagements (verifying a behaviour, documenting conduct, tracing an asset). Corporate intelligence is a structured analysis of the reputation, network and risks of a counterparty or a market, with a smaller field-operations component. Ethix does both, keeping them distinct in methods and deliverables.

Through structured procedures. A numbered engagement stored in encrypted form, access to the file limited to only the operators required, staff bound by confidentiality obligations even after the relationship ends, and communication channels agreed with the client. We do not publicly comment on an engagement, not even after it has concluded.

Only for as long as is strictly necessary to carry out the engagement and for a reasonable period afterwards, tied to any use in legal proceedings. It is stored in encrypted form with selective access. Once no longer needed, the data is subject to controlled destruction or permanent anonymisation, in line with the GDPR (Reg. UE 2016/679) and the Italian Privacy Code (D.lgs. 196/2003).

Not through us. Our work is discreet by definition. If the investigation report is filed in court proceedings (for a separation, an employment case, a civil proceeding), the opposing party becomes aware of it through the adversarial process — but that is your choice, not an automatic consequence of the engagement.

We do not publish standard price lists because we consider them unrealistic and misleading. The main variables are the number of operators needed, the duration of the observation, the techniques required and the geographical coverage. After the first confidential consultation we provide a written quote proportionate to the objective, with scope, timing and investment agreed in advance. With no changes along the way.

No. A professional private investigator, authorised under art. 134 TULPS, bears real costs (staff, equipment, insurance, databases, training) and cannot work for free. Be wary of anyone promising free investigations: either they are not an authorised investigator, or they are offering an unlawful activity in disguise. Ethix offers a free initial consultation, but the actual investigative engagement is always governed by a written quote.

A targeted investigation (misuse of Legge 104/92 leave, feigned sick leave, verifying a specific association) can be completed in one or two weeks. A separation with documentation of infidelity takes on average 5-15 operational days. A pre-contractual reputational due diligence is completed in 5-15 working days. Complex cases (unfair competition, multi-jurisdiction asset tracing) take several weeks.

You write to us or call to arrange an appointment. The first consultation takes place at our office in Milan (Via G. Frua 21/6, De Angeli area), by video call or by phone, as you prefer. It lasts 45-60 minutes, is confidential, carries no obligation and involves no cost. It serves to work out together whether an investigation is appropriate, lawful and proportionate to your objective.

Yes, where there is a well-founded suspicion of unlawful conduct (disloyalty, unfair competition, misuse of Legge 104/92 leave, feigned sick leave). The investigation must be proportionate to the suspicion and take place outside the workplace, respecting the dignity of the employee. The Court of Cassation has confirmed in numerous rulings the legitimacy of this recourse, where the regulatory framework is respected (see among others Cass. civ. sez. lav. n. 25674/2018 and n. 16622/2020).

Yes, and we prefer it. Coordinating the investigation plan with the lawyer's litigation strategy increases the usefulness of the evidence and reduces the risk of gathering material that cannot be used in court. We work with criminal, civil, employment, family, IP and commercial law firms.

It is not required for an initial informational consultation. If the investigation is intended for court proceedings (separation, custody, maintenance) we recommend involving a lawyer as early as the stage of setting up the engagement: the investigation report is far more useful if built from the outset in line with the litigation strategy.

Yes, when it documents conduct by the parent relevant to the child's best interests: risky associations, neglect, unstable housing, inappropriate behaviour. The judge assesses this evidence within the overall situation, giving weight to concrete elements over one-sided accounts. The investigation does not replace the judgment: it informs it.

A fault-based ruling (addebito, art. 151, comma 2, of the Italian Civil Code) requires the judge to establish a breach of marital duties (fidelity, cohabitation, cooperation) and a causal link with the breakdown. The investigation report documents concrete conduct (sustained infidelity, abandonment, harmful behaviour) that the judge assesses together with the other evidence. The investigation provides evidence; the decision on fault rests with the judge, on the initiative of your lawyer.

Yes, if collected in compliance with the law (privacy, personal dignity, the agency's authorisation from the Prefecture, public spaces or spaces accessible to the public). The investigation report can be filed as documentary evidence in civil, employment and criminal proceedings; the judge assesses it freely together with the other evidence. Our reports are built precisely to withstand this scrutiny.

Yes, if collected in public spaces or spaces accessible to the public, respecting the dignity of the person observed and proportionality to the objective. Every element is documented in the report (date, time, place, operators) to allow the judge a full assessment. Material that does not meet these requirements is not used.

Yes, if carried out by a private investigator authorised under art. 134 TULPS, in compliance with the GDPR, the dignity of the person and the places involved (public spaces or spaces accessible to the public). It is unlawful, however, when it breaches a private residence, uses interception tools that are not permitted, or exceeds the person's reasonable expectation of privacy. More on the page dedicated to lawful surveillance.