Why Reputation Matters When Hiring a Private Investigator

Trusted investigators and attorneys collaborating on your case, backed by proven credentials, ethics, and a reputation that stands up in court.

Choosing a private investigator is ultimately about trust, and trust is earned through reputation, ethics, and visible leadership in the profession. Locaters International, led by Harvey E. Morse and Ari S. Morse, is built around those principles and has the credentials to prove it.

Why Reputation Should Guide Your Choice

Reputation is more than a star rating; it is the combined judgment of clients, courts, and peers who have trusted an investigator with sensitive matters. When you retain a firm known for decades of responsible work, that reputation protects you because judges, attorneys, and opposing parties recognize you chose a respected, accountable agency, which can influence how your evidence and testimony are received.

Locaters International has been operating for nearly 50 years, holds an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, and is recognized as a court-approved expert in multiple jurisdictions, all of which speak directly to its standing in the investigative community. That level of established credibility means the firm’s name and work product carry weight wherever your case leads.

Ethics, Reputation, and Professional Associations

Ethics, reputation, and association involvement are tightly linked: ethical behavior over time builds a good name, and professional associations reinforce standards that protect clients. Choosing an investigator who is active in reputable organizations means their work is continually measured against codes of conduct and best practices recognized statewide, nationally, and internationally.

Locaters International and its investigators are members of leading associations such as the Florida Association of Private Investigators (FAPI), International Intelligence Network (Intellenet), Board Accredited Investigator (BAI), Florida Certified Investigator (FCI), ASIS International, World Association of Detectives (WAD), Council of International Investigators (CII), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, among others. These memberships are not honorary; they require background vetting, ongoing professionalism, and, in many cases, demonstrated leadership and contributions to the field.

Harvey E. Morse: A Reputation Built Over 50+ Years

Harvey E. Morse, BAI, CII, CMI, is the President of Locaters International and Chairman of Morse Genealogical Services, with more than 50 years of investigative experience. He began his career after graduating from Boston University and attending Suffolk University Law School, later graduating first in his class of 82 at the Florida Police Academy and serving as a sworn law enforcement officer and police investigator.

Harvey has been a driving force in shaping the investigative profession in Florida and beyond. Highlights of his leadership and activism include: Harvey founded the Florida Association of Private Investigators (FAPI) and the Board Accredited Investigator (BAI) program. He served ten consecutive terms as Chair of Florida’s Private Security Advisory Council, now PIRSAC, a record that is now impossible under current statutes, during which he helped write and interpret legislation affecting investigators. He has served as Past Chair of the Better Business Bureau of Central Florida and participates in numerous civic, charitable, law enforcement, and investigative organizations.

His life memberships and involvement in respected bodies such as Intellenet, WAD, CII, ASIS, and IACP reflect a career-long commitment to standards, accountability, and public trust, exactly the kind of reputation you want supporting your case.

Ari S. Morse: Modern Leadership, Active Engagement

Originally licensed in 1995, Ari S. Morse has worked full-time in investigations for over two decades and holds several investigative licenses from the State of Florida. Ari specializes in locating missing and unknown heirs, frequently testifying as an expert witness, and has advanced training in computer forensics, internet investigations, email tracing, and other technology driven inquiries.

Ari’s reputation is rooted in activism and leadership within professional associations. He was instrumental in creating FAPI and the BAI program, serving as a founding charter member, past President, and continuing Executive Committee member. He was appointed by the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture to the state’s Private Investigative, Security and Advisory Council (PIRSAC), following in Harvey’s regulatory footsteps. He serves on the Board of Directors and as Co Director of Membership for Intellenet, and is a member of WAD, CII, ASIS International, and multiple state and national investigative and genealogical associations.

Ari also helps build the next generation of investigators, assisting newcomers to the field and helping develop the Private Investigators Management Program, which is now used by over a thousand agencies across the United States, further strengthening his reputation as a resource and mentor in the profession.​

Why Locaters International’s Reputation Matters to Your Case

When your investigator is known, respected, and deeply involved in professional organizations, that reputation becomes part of your case strategy. Courts and opposing counsel recognize that Locaters International’s investigators have been vetted, are members of elite associations, and have served in leadership roles that demand integrity and competence.

As an almost 50 year, BBB accredited, court approved expert agency with principals who write legislation, chair advisory councils, and lead statewide and international associations, Locaters International offers a level of credibility that many firms simply cannot match. That credibility supports your evidence, strengthens your position, and reduces the risk that investigative missteps will harm your case or reputation.

What to Expect and How to Take the Next Step

A reputable firm will explain the process clearly, from your initial consultation through the final report, and maintain open communication, strict confidentiality, and full respect for legal boundaries at every stage. At Locaters International, clients can expect a tailored plan, regular updates, and work performed by investigators whose credentials and reputations have been earned over decades of service, leadership, and association involvement.

If your situation demands an investigator whose name, credentials, and reputation will withstand scrutiny, contact Locaters International today to discuss your case in confidence. You can reach the team by phone or through the website to schedule a confidential consultation and put the experience and standing of Harvey E. Morse and Ari S. Morse to work for you.