Don Bradford Special Investigations, LLC

08/14/2024

FOR ME, THIS IS WHAT BEING IN BUSINESS IS ALL ABOUT…..

Dear Mr. Bradford

This is to thank you again for your recent help. I have always appreciated you being prompt and professional. But what also stands out to me is that even though what I’ve asked is probably small in comparison to other cases you handle, you never make it feel that way. To me, and I’m sure to countless others, that is the quality that sets you apart. Thank you again.

Since 1988 we have provided confidential investigations to attorneys, insurance companies, businesse

03/02/2024

“I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE.”

Those were the first words I heard on a recent telephone call. My first thought was this young lady had the wrong number. However, her story was intriguing, and from long ago.

She told me when she was three years old, she was the victim of a spousal kidnapping by her biological mother. Her mother brought her to Oklahoma covertly and illegally. The young lady was now 36 years old, which meant this occurred 33 years ago.

After checking my files, I determined it was my case, and I did indeed locate her. Since I was relatively new to the business at the time, I was most likely a bit naïve to the importance of what I just accomplished. I’m sure I felt exhilarated; however, I was just as surprised as anyone else to locate her.

She told me her father explained the events to her once she grew older. For years she wanted to contact me and thank me. She finally did. It was quite a heart-warming call to hear how she has become so successful, and most importantly, happy in life.

This remarkable story revitalizes me to carry on.

02/05/2023

Anyone attempting to be successful in the investigation business will tell you establishing a clientele is difficult, but paramount. My father encouraged me to always be truthful and honest to my clients. This business has many avenues for dishonesty.

Tracking the time spent on a case can easily be over-billed. This is especially so when doing computer work, i.e. record searches, reports and film processing. So, many years ago, I instituted a computer software program capable of keeping track of the time spent on each individual case. At the end of the day the totals are presented and billed accordingly.

With respect to time on the streets, such as surveillance and trips to the courthouse, my surveillance units are equipped with GPS Dash Cams. They keep track of time while also providing video documentation of the vehicle's movements.

I'm guessing honesty and hard work is the reason my clientele has grown exponentially over my 35 years in business. It's most likely the reason I am doing cases for attorneys, whose attorney fathers, were also my clients. It's most likely the reason over half my calls are from past clients.

Thank ya daddy for your sound advice.

01/12/2023

THIS MONTH MARKS 35 YEARS....

of serving Tulsa. I set up shop in a spare bedroom in 1988. Waited 3 months for the phone to ring. It hasn't stop ringing since.

Thank ya Tulsa for your support and acceptance.

12/15/2021

POSITIVE FEEDBACK MAKES MY DAY.......

"Don,
I know this is late but I want you to know how your investigations helped save our son. Your work was outstanding and we are eternally grateful for all you did."

05/21/2021

IT'S BEEN A GOOD WEEK....

My agency provided the investigation and subsequent courtroom testimony necessary to permanently save a child from her abusive and neglectful parents. It's hard to imagine anyone would abuse their own child. Unfortunately, it happens and I've witnessed the long-term damage it causes. Lots of stress and pressure on this one, but in the end, we prevailed.

When I began my business in 1988, it was more or less a publicity stunt. I wanted to prove my TU business degree was not in vain. Now, as I look back over the last thirty-three years, I realize the agency has made a positive difference in many lives, including my own.

04/12/2021

JURY SELECTION PROCESS

Over the years the bulk of my investigative work has been in civil court as opposed to criminal court. However, a few years ago I became involved in several criminal court cases. My assignment was not to investigate the case, but rather, assist in the jury selection process.

The jury selection process has come a long way since the days of Lincoln. Lincoln's view on jury selection was "No blond blue eyed men", "No men with high foreheads" and "larger, younger men only". Like it or not, jury selection has always been and always will be a very important part of our judicial system.

Today, attorneys rely on expensive trial consulting firms to employ psychology, human intuition and high-tech data analysis to understand not only the jurors, but also the lawyers, witnesses and defendants. The process has been highly dramatized and brought to the mainstream public through the television program "Bull".

I must admit, I do like the work. It has afforded me the opportunity to observe how the court system works, or doesn't work. I am fascinated watching juror emotions and how those emotions vary depending upon the courtroom presentation.

The initial part of my task is to provide jury pool background information to facilitate the defense council in his or her questioning of potential jurors during "voir dire". "Voir dire takes place before the jury is seated. Lawyers question potential jurors to determine if they are biased and/or cannot deal with the case issues fairly, or there is cause not to serve, such as acquaintanceship with the parties involved. "Voir dire" also gives the lawyer a feel for one's personality and likely views. It's an exciting stage of the trial process and one I find very challenging.

09/08/2020

Feedback like this makes it all worthwhile....

"Mr Bradford we would like to thank you so much Sir for taking your time and visiting with us! You calm our fears and help us press forward during this extremely trying time. We can see why you are the top private investigator in Oklahoma and we highly endorse you! Thank you again for being there for our family."

02/17/2020

IS HE OR SHE BEING TRUTHFUL....

In my business determining when someone is telling the truth is important. There are a number of internet articles on reading one's body language for truthfulness. Some helpful, some not so much. Here is what I have established over the years to be helpful in determining truth. These observations are not backed by science. They are only reflections of experience.

1. PEOPLE WHO LIE TEND TO TOUCH THEIR NOSE WHEN TELLING A LIE-I've read there is a bit of science behind this. It deals with the nose engorging and producing additional histamine during a falsehood. I have found this to be quite accurate.

2. PEOPLE WHO LIE MAINTAIN MORE EYE CONTACT WHEN TELLING A LIE-Their eye contact seems to be a forced eye contact. However, I have noticed individuals giving false statements tend to look to their right when breaking eye contact. When telling the truth they tend to break eye contact to their left. I am sure there is some cerebral science to document this finding.

3. PEOPLE WHO LIE TEND TO COVER CERTAIN PARTS OF THEIR BODIES WHEN TELLING A LIE-Quite often individuals will cover their throats or parts of their heads with their hands when giving a false statement.

4. PEOPLE WHO LIE TEND TO BREATHE HEAVIER WHEN TELLING A LIE-This is a no-brain'er and I have found this to be true with the exception of habitual liars. They have grown so accustomed to telling lies their breathing is not at all affected.

5. PEOPLE WHO LIE BLINK THEIR EYES MORE SLOWLY WHEN TELLING A LIE-Once the lie is told, they go back to a more normal, or sometimes, rapid blinking pattern.

WHEN IN DOUBT, RELY ON YOUR OWN GUT FEELINGS. THOSE FEELINGS ARE USUALLY QUITE ACCURATE.

11/07/2019

THROWBACK THURSDAY......

From the Tulsa World, August of 1991.

Ed Bradford and his son, Don, have led almost parallel lives.