Question 1

Who does SIC serve?

Accepted Answer

SIC serves attorneys and law firms, insurance companies, SIU teams, third-party administrators, municipalities and counties, corporate security teams, law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, businesses and risk managers, and select private clients. Access to SIC services requires authorization and intake review.

Question 2

How do I get started with SIC?

Accepted Answer

All engagements begin with a confidential consultation. Submit an inquiry through the Contact page. SIC will review the inquiry and respond to schedule a consultation. Following consultation, a scope of work and retainer agreement are provided before any work begins.

Question 3

Does SIC work with individual private clients?

Accepted Answer

SIC accepts select individual private client matters on a case-by-case basis. All private engagements require authorization review and retainer execution before work begins. Not all private matters are accepted — SIC reserves the right to decline engagements that do not meet our authorization standards.

Question 4

What states does SIC operate in?

Accepted Answer

SIC is based in Daphne, Alabama, on the Gulf Coast, and primarily serves Alabama matters including Baldwin County, Mobile County, and surrounding areas. SIC may support authorized matters in other states depending on the nature of the services required. Contact SIC to discuss specific geographic requirements.

Question 5

What is the difference between surveillance and private investigations?

Accepted Answer

Surveillance refers specifically to the observation, documentation, and recording of subjects or locations for investigative purposes. Private investigations is a broader service category that encompasses surveillance along with background work, interviews, records research, and other field investigative activities. Both are available through SIC for authorized matters.

Question 6

What is 3D reconstruction and when is it needed?

Accepted Answer

3D reconstruction involves building a spatial, three-dimensional model of an incident scene using available data including measurements, photographs, video, and other inputs. It is commonly used in complex accident reconstruction, premises liability defense, criminal matters, and any case where spatial relationships, sight lines, or scene geometry are disputed or require visual clarification for legal proceedings.

Question 7

What is 4D event sequencing?

Accepted Answer

4D event sequencing adds the dimension of time to 3D spatial analysis. It produces a visual, time-based reconstruction of how events unfolded — showing movement, sequence, and progression along a verified timeline. It is used to clarify disputed event sequences, challenge or support witness accounts, and create presentation-ready visual timelines for deposition, mediation, and trial.

Question 8

What is VR case visualization?

Accepted Answer

VR case visualization uses virtual reality technology to place jurors, attorneys, mediators, or decision-makers inside a reconstructed scene environment. Rather than reviewing static images or diagrams, participants can navigate the scene and experience spatial relationships firsthand. It is used for complex trial preparation, settlement conferences, and cases where standard visual presentations are insufficient to convey scene complexity.

Question 9

How does time, sun angle, and weather validation work?

Accepted Answer

SIC uses historical solar position data, meteorological records, and environmental analysis tools to determine exact lighting conditions, shadow positions, glare angles, and weather status at the precise date, time, and location of an event. This is used to validate or challenge claims about visibility, lighting, and conditions at the time of an incident.

Question 10

What is gait and movement analysis?

Accepted Answer

Gait and movement analysis involves the systematic review of a subject's walking pattern, physical mobility, and movement capabilities using surveillance footage and other visual evidence. It is commonly used in workers compensation and personal injury matters to assess whether observed physical activity is consistent or inconsistent with claimed injury limitations.

Question 11

How does the client portal work?

Accepted Answer

The SIC client portal is a secure, dedicated communication and case management platform for active clients. Portal access is granted following engagement authorization. Through the portal, clients can submit new case requests, upload files, communicate with their assigned case team, and review case updates and deliverables. All case-related communication for active engagements is conducted through the portal.

Question 12

How do I submit a new case?

Accepted Answer

New cases for active clients are submitted through the client portal. If you are not yet a client, contact SIC through the Contact page to begin the intake process. Portal submissions go directly to your assigned case coordinator for review and assignment.

Question 13

What file types can I upload through the portal?

Accepted Answer

The portal accepts standard document formats (PDF, DOCX, XLSX), image files (JPG, PNG, TIFF), and video files (MP4, MOV, AVI). For very large video files or specialized formats, contact your case coordinator before uploading to confirm transfer protocols.

Question 14

How are case updates communicated?

Accepted Answer

All case updates for active engagements are delivered through the client portal. Clients receive notifications when updates, reports, or deliverables are available. Direct phone or email communication outside the portal is not a primary case update channel and may not be monitored as consistently as portal messaging.

Question 15

Does SIC require a retainer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. SIC operates on retained engagements. No investigative, analytical, or visual production work begins until a retainer agreement is executed and the initial retainer payment is received. The retainer amount is determined based on the scope of work agreed upon during the intake and consultation process.

Question 16

How is billing structured?

Accepted Answer

Billing is structured based on the scope of each engagement. Surveillance and field services are typically billed at agreed per-day or hourly rates against the retainer. Project-based services such as 3D reconstruction, 4D sequencing, and VR visualization are billed based on the agreed project scope. Clients receive invoices and billing statements through the client portal.

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