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A private investigator for attorneys, from a retired Chief of Police
Criminal defense and capital cases, civil litigation support, expert witness testimony, and reports written for the courtroom.
Criminal defense and capital cases
John provides investigative support to criminal defense counsel, including court-approved assignments in capital offense cases. Retained by defense attorneys with judicial authorization, he supports the defense in matters involving the most serious charges, homicide included.
He spent his career on the other side of these cases: as an officer, a detective, an undercover operative and a team leader for a multijurisdictional special response unit, then as the chief of a regional department. He knows how a police investigation is built, which is exactly what defense counsel needs examined.
Civil litigation support
Witness location and interviews, evidence gathering, background checks, asset searches and due diligence, delivered with the documentation to proceed with confidence.
- Civil case investigations
- Witness interviews and statements
- Asset identification and searches
- Background and due diligence investigations
- Personal injury investigations
- Service of process
Courtroom-ready analysis, grounded in decades of practice
A published author and featured columnist, John provides expert witness analysis drawn from his time as a Chief of Police, a licensed private investigator and a certified instructor for police, military and private security professionals.
He has taught at the university, college and police academy levels, and trains in corporate and nonprofit settings.
- Investigative standards and protocols
- Private sector use of force
- Detention and arrest authority for private personnel
- Surveillance legality and ethics
- Corporate and workplace security procedures
Written to hold up
The report is often the product the client purchased. John's runs to a standard he has published for other investigators: why the investigator was present, what was observed, how it was documented, and why it is relevant to the objective.
"Nothing more. Nothing less."
John Dale Hartman, PI Magazine, September/October 2026
For public bodies and institutions
- Technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM)
- Internal investigations and administrative inquiries
- Threat assessments and security evaluations
- Intelligence gathering and analytical support
- Policy and procedural reviews for investigative and security functions
Recommendation letter from Mark Brooks, Attorney at Law
"I am an active attorney practicing law in Pennsylvania. My practice concentrates in civil litigation. I am also a retired assistant district attorney who has prosecuted cases for over 20 years. Through the course of my career as both an assistant district attorney and practicing attorney I have known and worked with John for over 25 years.
During my time as the assistant district attorney, I was a supervisor of a specialized unit of police officers which investigated drug act violations. These investigations are often complex and time consuming. During that period of time, John was my most trusted officer on the drug task force. His investigation skills are exemplary. His dedication to task is outstanding and his desire to successfully complete an investigation is second to none. He worked as a detective and also an undercover operative. We investigated and prosecuted well over 50 cases together.
In my capacity as a retired assistant district attorney and civil law litigator I retain John as a private investigator. The same work ethic and dedication that I observed when he was a police officer is also reflected in his capacity as a private investigator. He is thorough, hard-working, intelligent and dedicated to task. I employ John as a detective and I will use no other. I cannot express in strong enough words how highly I recommend John as an Investigator."
Mark Brooks
Attorney at Law
"I trust John with my most important investigation needs. He is exceptionally responsive, thorough, and attuned to the needs of his clients. If it's important, trust it to John. I recommend him wholeheartedly."
"I have used this investigator in several cases. He is a true professional... He then knows how to create a useful report, excellent for court or any hearing. Professional, thorough, and knowledgeable."
"John's ability to quickly and efficiently locate individuals crucial to my situation was truly remarkable."
| Monday to Friday | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday | On call |
| Phone | Answered 24/7 |
Bring John in early.
Tell John as much or as little as you like. Everything you send stays between you and him.