Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PIwitness, from field documentation to report generation to pricing. Can't find your answer? Get in touch.

Getting Started

What is PIwitness?

PIwitness is investigative report writing software built for licensed private investigators. It captures your field observations — typed notes, voice dictation, photos, GPS coordinates, and timestamps — organizes them by case, and then generates structured investigative reports using AI trained on PI industry formatting standards. You review and finalize the report, then export it as a branded PDF or Word document.

How would I use PIwitness during an active surveillance?

Open the case on your phone or tablet, then log observations as they happen. Type a note, dictate hands-free, or snap a photo — each entry is automatically timestamped and GPS-tagged. Use quick-action buttons for common phrases. When you're done in the field, generate the report from your entries. The entire field capture works offline, so dead zones and parking garages won't interrupt your documentation.

Who is PIwitness designed for?

Licensed private investigators — both solo practitioners and multi-investigator agencies. PIwitness supports surveillance, SIU and insurance investigations, domestic and infidelity cases, background checks, skip traces, process service, and workers' compensation assignments. If your work involves documenting observations and producing reports for clients or attorneys, PIwitness was built for you.

How does the free trial work?

Start a free trial with full access to all features — no credit card required. Create cases, capture entries, generate reports, and export documents to experience the full workflow.

Field Documentation

Can I dictate notes instead of typing?

Yes. PIwitness includes built-in voice-to-text capture using the Web Speech API. Dictate observations hands-free while keeping your eyes on the subject. Your spoken words are converted to text entries with the same automatic timestamps and GPS tagging as typed entries.

How does photo capture work?

Take photos directly within PIwitness or attach existing photos from your device. Each photo is tied to the case and entry, with embedded metadata including the time and location. Photos are included in your reports and can be exported as a separate numbered photo log with captions and timestamps.

Does PIwitness work offline?

Yes — the field entry screen works with zero internet connectivity. All entries, photos, and voice notes save to your device first using local storage, then sync automatically to the cloud when you regain a connection. You never lose work because of a dropped signal, a parking garage, or a rural surveillance location.

Is GPS location tracked on every entry?

Every entry is automatically tagged with GPS coordinates at the time of creation. This provides court-verifiable location context for each observation without any extra steps on your part. Location data appears in your raw field logs and can support your documentation if challenged.

Reports & AI

Does the AI write the final report for me?

The AI generates a structured draft from your raw field entries — but you are always the final author. The generated report follows PI industry formatting standards, uses correct terminology and description orders, and maintains consistent perspective. You review the output, edit as needed, and finalize before exporting. The AI speeds up the process; it doesn't replace your judgment.

Will the AI invent or fabricate details?

Never. The AI is strictly prohibited from adding information that isn't present in your field notes. If your notes don't mention a detail, the report won't contain it. Missing information is flagged with a bracketed placeholder rather than filled in with assumptions. This is a core design principle — court-admissible reports require factual accuracy, not creative writing.

What report formats are available?

PIwitness generates two primary report types: surveillance reports with chronological narrative structure, and SIU / general investigation reports with captioned sections organized by investigative activity. Both follow standard PI industry report structure. Reports can be generated in either first-person or third-person perspective, applied consistently throughout.

Can I edit the report after it's generated?

Yes. The generated report is a starting point that you can fully edit. Use the built-in editor to refine language, add context, adjust phrasing, or insert pre-written phrases from the phrase library. The report is yours to finalize — the AI handles the formatting and structure so you can focus on accuracy and completeness.

Security & Evidence Integrity

What does SHA-256 hashing mean for my entries?

Every field entry is cryptographically hashed at the moment of creation using the SHA-256 algorithm. This hash acts as a digital fingerprint — if even a single character of the entry were changed, the hash would no longer match. This proves that your original field documentation was never tampered with after the fact, which is critical for chain-of-custody requirements.

Can field entries be edited or deleted after creation?

No — and this is by design, not a limitation. Field entries are immutable once created and hashed. This protects the integrity of your documentation for court proceedings. If you need to add context or correct an observation, you create a new supplemental entry that is separately timestamped and hashed.

How is my data secured?

All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. PIwitness uses Supabase with Row Level Security to ensure complete data isolation between organizations — no agency can access another agency's cases, entries, or reports. Your investigative documentation is private to your account.

Can I export all of my data?

Yes. You can export reports as PDF or Word documents, photo logs with embedded images, time and mileage billing summaries, and raw field logs with all timestamps, GPS coordinates, and hashes. Your data is always accessible and portable.

Pricing & Access

What plans are available?

PIwitness offers three plans: Solo for individual investigators with a focused caseload, Professional for investigators who need unlimited cases and full feature access, and Agency for multi-investigator operations with team management and shared resources. All plans include a free trial with no credit card required.

Is there a discount for annual billing?

Yes. Annual plans save 20% compared to monthly billing. You can switch between monthly and annual billing at any time, with changes taking effect on your next billing cycle.

Can I request a demo or walkthrough?

Absolutely. Contact us at info@piwitness.com or call 630-880-2583 to schedule a demo. We're happy to walk you through the platform and answer any questions about how PIwitness fits your specific workflow.

How do I get started?

Sign up for a free trial at piwitness.com/signup. You'll have full access to all features — create a case, capture some entries, and generate a report to see the full workflow. No credit card required to start.

Still Have Questions?

We're happy to help. Reach out and we'll get back to you promptly.

Or call 630-880-2583