A private investigator or private detective is a person who secretly follows and observes persons in public places for the purpose of witnessing behavior and collecting evidence of any illegal or improper activities (photos, videos, etc.). During the divorce process a spouse who suspects their spouse of cheating (adultery) or other improper or illegal behavior may hire a private investigator to follow or “tail” the other spouse.

In Connecticut, private investigators are regulated under state law and must be licensed to legally conduct surveillance and investigative work. The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection issues licenses to private investigators, and applicants must meet certain requirements, including passing a background check and having relevant experience or training. When hired during a divorce process to investigate suspicions of adultery or other improper behavior, private investigators must operate within the bounds of the law. This means they are permitted to observe and collect evidence in public spaces, but they must not trespass on private property, engage in illegal wiretapping, or violate privacy laws. Evidence gathered by private investigators can be used in divorce proceedings, particularly if it pertains to issues of infidelity, which is a recognized ground for at-fault divorce in Connecticut. However, it is important for private investigators to ensure that their methods of evidence collection are legal and admissible in court.