Private Investigator
Wilmington, North Carolina

Introductions are in order  We would like to introduce you, to one of our new Investigators working with Bert Croom’s team of agents. Loman Scott will be working out of the main office and specializes in all aspects of criminal investigations. Loman has over 24,000 hours of investigative experience under his belt in major crimes division with the Greensboro Police Department. We are excited to have this caliber of Investigator working with our team.                Our team now consists of 7 agents with the most extensive law enforcement experience and diverse backgrounds with criminal investigations, insurance investigations, civil domestic investigations and full service process servers. Bert Croom, B. Elledge, D. Wallace, E. Powell, M. Thrasher, L. Scott and managing Office Director Jodi Croom round out the BCPI Team. Our team over the years has become very familiar with the policy and procedures of state and local law enforcement agencies which could prove to be a valuable tool to assist in the defense of your client’s case. We have a professional relationship with AOC & IDS and with a request from the residing Judge for Expert Investigators Fee’s there is no out of pocket expense for you or your client. We do all criminal case work whether through AOC, IDS or Private Person for the State calculated fee which includes mileage. All work is professional and completed in a timely manner. There are no retainers required for Attorneys. We also continue to be at the forefront in Civil Domestic Surveillance Investigations such as Divorce, Child custody, Co-habitation and Alienation of affection. Know your team of investigators and know they will be available to you for years to come. 

Frequently Asked Questions 1. Is there a law that prohibits me from searching through my spouse’s phone messages and computer files? 2. What type of communications are covered? 3. What if my spouse gave me access to his/her email account and private chat room? 4.Which telephone calls can I record? 5. My spouse previously supplied me an email password to retrieve an electronic bill; can I use it to see what he is up to now that we are separated? 6. Can I read my spouses email messages? 7. What are the penalties for violating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act? 8. With such a confusing area of the law, how can I know what is permissible and what is not? 9. I am worried about what my spouse is saying to my child when they talk on the phone; can I record their conversation? 10. If I taped my spouse’s telephone conversation illegally, what can I do with the information I obtained? 11. How can I protect myself from unwanted intrusions into my own electronic privacy? This is not legal advise, be sure to check with your attorney before making any decisions about recording.Call Bert Croom for his opinions that you can discuss with your attorney prior to making a costly mistake.

TESTIFYING IN DIVORCE COURT ONE Appear and behave professionally. This applies both on the witness stand and off. Obviously this influences the jurors, but you never know who is “sizing you up,” for the other side, while you’re waiting in the hall.    TWO Before the trial starts, walk in to the courtroom and familiarize yourself where the witness chair is located and the path you need to take to get to it. This enables you to walk directly to the stand in a forthright manner and be sworn in.    THREE Dress professionally. Studies have shown that blue for men and black for women are the most appropriate colors for “looking believable.” Men and women should dress in a conservative fashion, if you are a peace officer, your uniform helps your enhance credence. Avoid flashy colors and minimal jewelry.   FOUR When you are sworn in, look at the jury and say, in a loud, clear voice, “I do.”    FIVE Once you are seated, sit up straight and look at the questioning attorney, when answering make eye contact with the jurors.    SIX Answer all questions clearly, do not nod. If you nod this will cause the court reporter and the judge to tell you to answer audibly and make it look like you’re not sure what you’re doing.    SEVEN Keep your hands in your lap. Keep them away from your mouth.    EIGHT If you need to ask the judge a question, look at the judge and say “Your Honor” wait till the judge gives you permission before you ask the question.    NINE Listen very carefully to the question. Make sure you understand it before you answer.    TEN If either attorney objects stop talking let the judge rule on the objection and then continue.    ELEVEN Avoid being combative. Let the attorneys get as nasty as they want. They’re more than likely trying to “bait you.” You stay cool and answer the questions.    TWELVE If you make a mistake admit it. Don’t try to cover it up. Nobody is going to hold it against you that you made a mistake, but they will certainly hold it against you if they think you’re lying.    THIRTEEN Never memorize your testimony. Know your facts, but don’t try to say things word for word. You will look rehearsed during your testimony and then will not be able to handle cross-examination, where the questions are out of sequence.    FOURTEEN If the other side asks a question that you think is objectionable, pause before answering and give your attorney a chance to object. If he doesn’t, answer the question. If either attorney objects, stop your answer and wait for the judge to tell you to proceed.    FIFTEEN Avoid looking at your attorney when answering questions. This looks like your asking for help and jurors might interpret this as a damaging question, even though your answer makes perfectly good sense.    SIXTEEN Most important of all, tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Avoid temptation to embellish the truth just a bit. It’s not necessary and if you’re caught it makes your whole testimony suspect.