You don't need proof before contacting us. Tell us what's happening and our team will help you determine the next step.
Information shared is treated as confidential. We typically respond during business hours as quickly as possible.
— PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS, COLUMBIA AND CHARLESTON SC
Move Forward With Facts, Not Fear.
From infidelity and adultery investigations to child custody, stalking and pre-marital investigations, counter measures sweeps, and workers' comp and insurance fraud investigations, our licensed private investigators get you clear, lawful, documented information you can actually use.
Not sure what happens when you call a private investigator?
Most people reach out during uncertain, emotional or time-sensitive situations. They don't know exactly what to ask for, and they aren't sure what's even possible. That's okay. That's exactly what the first conversation is for.
TALK TO A LICENSED INVESTIGATOR
A confidential consultation is the right place to start.
You don’t need to know what you need. You only need to know that something feels wrong. We help you figure out the rest.
Everything stays confidential. Whatever you share with us, concerns, suspicions and family details, stays between us. Tell us whether phone, email or text is safest.
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm. Your first consultation is free.
02
You leave with clarity, not pressure. We explain what can lawfully be documented and what type of findings might actually help. The next move is yours.
Personal, family and insurance matters, handled with care.
From infidelity and adultery to child custody, stalking, counter measures sweeps and insurance fraud, we focus on lawful, documented facts you can actually use.
Discreet surveillance of a partner's movements, meetings, travel and overnight stays, documented with timestamped photos, video and a written report. Online dating and cyber affairs too.
Lawfully gathered photo and video evidence with timestamped activity logs, documented for South Carolina family court. The investigator reports what was actually observed.
Lawful documentation of supervision, living conditions, substance use, visitation violations and who is around your child, organized clearly for SC Family Court.
We document stalking patterns and online or electronic harassment, check for hidden GPS trackers, and package the evidence for law enforcement.
Pre-marital background checks, online dating verification and romance scam investigation. We pull primary records directly from SC courts and relevant authorities rather than relying on aggregated databases.
Counter measures sweeps of homes, offices and vehicles for hidden cameras, audio bugs, GPS trackers and phone spyware, using RF spectrum analysis, thermal imaging and a physical search.
Claimant surveillance, activity checks and AOE/COE investigations for adjusters and employers, with reports formatted for SC Workers' Compensation Commission hearings.
We gather and document facts through lawful methods such as surveillance, public-record research, interviews and field investigation. You don't need to identify the precise service before contacting us.
Whatever you're facing, start with a conversation.
You don't have to know exactly what you need before you call. We'll show you what's possible and how the process typically works for your situation.
For individuals and families
For insurance carriers and employers
If you're facing a sensitive personal matter, like suspected infidelity or adultery, a custody concern, stalking, or doubts before marriage, we provide a discreet, lawful path from suspicion to documented findings.
Please don't try to investigate on your own. It can put you at risk and make evidence harder to get.
When in-house SIU is at capacity or a file demands surveillance, scene work or interviews, Stillinger deploys. Referrals are accepted same day, with an investigator on the ground within 24 hours and reports formatted to carrier standards.
Investigators are available to testify at SC Workers' Compensation Commission hearings.
Start with a conversation. Understand what's possible. Move forward with clarity.
We listen first. During that conversation we also walk through timing, cost, lawful boundaries, and what information may be needed before any work begins.
01
Start With a Conversation
Tell us what's going on. We listen confidentially, ask the right questions, and help you make sense of the situation.
02
Get a Written Plan
We explain what can be investigated lawfully, then put the scope, timeline and budget in writing before any work begins. No surprise bills.
03
Move Forward With Clarity
You receive timestamped logs, photos, video and a written report you can use to make confident decisions about your next step.
If a divorce or custody filing is approaching, call early. Documentation is much harder to gather once the other person becomes cautious, and confronting them first can change their routine.
You may be facing one of the hardest moments of your life.
You may not know what can be investigated, what evidence matters, or how quickly you need to act. We help you understand what can be done and how to move forward the right way.
LICENSED IN
FOUNDED
1991
SC · NC · GA
SC SLED #1586 · NC #990317 · GA #PDC002591 · Multi-state coverage for cases that cross borders.
Decades of investigative experience across South Carolina. Founder Brian Stillinger is a former U.S. Marine on the Presidential Security detail (1989 to 1997) with an MBA and a B.S. in Criminal Justice.
12 full-time SLED-licensed investigators. Backgrounds in law enforcement, military intelligence and certified digital forensics.
Court-qualified digital forensics. Our lead examiner, Christopher J. Watkins, CFCE, has qualified as an expert witness in federal, circuit and family court.
Confidential intake. What you share with us stays between us, and reports are delivered securely.
Lawful methods only. No hacking, no spyware, no trespass, no shortcuts that compromise your case.
Professional documentation. Timestamped logs, photo and video evidence, and written reports prepared with care.
Discreet fieldwork. Unmarked vehicles, plain clothes and investigators who know the Midlands and the Lowcountry.
Clear plan before work begins. You'll know what to expect, what's possible and what isn't before you commit.
— WHERE WE SERVE
Local investigators in the Midlands and the Lowcountry.
Offices in Columbia, Lexington and Charleston, with investigators who know the area. Rural and out-of-town assignments are welcome, with any travel costs included in your written scope.
Private Investigators in Columbia, South Carolina
Midlands headquarters
Columbia
West Columbia
Cayce
Camden
Private Investigators in Lexington, South Carolina
Lake Murray and Lexington County
Lexington
Chapin
West Columbia
Private Investigators in Charleston, South Carolina
Lowcountry
Charleston
North Charleston
Mount Pleasant
Summerville
Common Questions
— ANSWERS BEFORE YOU CALL
Do I need proof before contacting an investigator?
No. Many clients call because something doesn't add up. We'll talk through what you know, what you need to establish, and whether an investigation is likely to help.
Is the first consultation free?
Yes, initial consultations are typically free. If a complex matter needs a longer review of documents or strategy, we'll explain any fee before we start.
Is my inquiry confidential?
Yes. Case information is restricted to the team working the matter, and case files are stored securely. Tell us the safest way and time to reach you, especially if someone else can see your phone or email.
How much does an investigation cost?
It depends on the service, investigator time, travel and reporting. Most work is billed hourly with an estimated range, and some services are flat-fee. You'll receive a written scope and budget before work begins.
Will the person know I hired an investigator?
Investigators work discreetly and do not contact the subject, and Stillinger does not ordinarily disclose the client's identity. No investigator can promise that surveillance will never be noticed. If it is, the investigator may disengage or adjust the plan to protect the assignment.
Can your findings be used in court?
Reports, photographs, video, records and investigator testimony may be useful in court. Admissibility is determined by the court, so we never promise that a particular item will be admitted.
What if I'm wrong about my suspicion?
An investigation may confirm a concern, disprove it, or come back inconclusive. The goal is to replace assumptions with the best information that can be lawfully obtained.
Can you check my car or phone for a tracking device?
Yes. We sweep vehicles for GPS trackers and audio devices, and our in-house forensics lab checks phones and laptops for spyware. If we find something, we document it in place first, which gives you more options.
What won't you do?
We never hack phones or accounts, install spyware, intercept private communications, trespass, or place tracking devices without a lawful basis. No investigator can guarantee what an investigation will uncover. We can guarantee professional effort, lawful methods, documentation and communication.
How quickly can you start?
Many investigations begin within 24 to 48 hours of the consultation, and time-sensitive matters can often start sooner. For insurance referrals, an investigator can be on the ground within 24 hours.
Which areas do you serve?
We serve Columbia, Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, Chapin and Camden in the Midlands, and Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Summerville in the Lowcountry.
Information you share is treated as confidential. Submitting this form does not create an investigator-client relationship.
— CONTACT, CONFIDENTIAL
Ready to Talk Through Your Situation?
You don't have to know exactly what kind of investigation you need. Tell us what's happening, what you need to understand, and where it's taking place. Our team will help you determine the next step.
Confidential intake. What you share stays between us.
No pressure to commit on the first call.
Clear scope, timing and cost before any work begins.
We typically respond during business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm, as quickly as possible. Response times may vary based on case volume and urgency. If your matter is time-sensitive, please call so we can prioritize.
Whether you're dealing with suspected infidelity, a custody concern, or another sensitive situation, the next step is simple: start with a confidential conversation. Clear facts. Confident next steps.
Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you visit our website and submit your information through our landing page.
Information We Collect
When you fill out a form on our website, we may collect the following information:
Full Name
Phone Number
Email Address
Zip Code
We collect this information only when you voluntarily provide it to us.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information you provide to:
Contact you regarding your inquiry or request
Send you relevant information about our products or services
Determine service availability in your area
Improve our website and marketing efforts
We will never sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties without your consent, except as required by law.
Data Security
We take reasonable precautions to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.
Your Rights
You may contact us at any time to:
Request access to the data we have about you
Correct or update any information
Request deletion of your data from our systems
Cookies and Tracking
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Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us via the phone number or form on this page.
