CHRIS Seagal is no ordinary private eye. He doesn’t wear a raincoat with the collar turned up, nor has he been duped by a femme fatale or tailed by a car.

The 37-year-old, Bournemouth-based sleuth is smart, techno-savvy and takes no nonsense.

Chris used to be in business and marketing and fell into private investigation by accident after being made redundant.

“I’d previously volunteered as a special constable and enjoyed the adrenaline rush.

“Working as a private detective was something I’d always wanted to do.

“I see the things that other people miss – it’s about looking at every angle.”

His company, Seagal Investigations, is affiliated to the World Association of Professional Investigators, and there is another organisation, the UKPIN (UK Private Investigators Network), but not every detective agency is licensed or abides by a code of practice.

In his view the public ought to know who they are dealing with, and feel confident in their ability to do the job.

“We’re putting ourselves out in the open, as people are often unaware we can help.

“They’re surprised, but there’s nearly always a solution... if you’ve got the budget.”

His job involves insurance claims, tracing stolen goods, investigating fraud, surveillance, serving writs and checking if there’s been any playing away from the marital bed.

“Sure, there’s a bit of that.

“Eighty per cent of suspicions of infidelity are correct, as people tend to go on their instincts.

“We’d use tracking and surveillance techniques to confirm this.

“Every day is different. You never know where the next phone call will lead you – we have agents across the globe, in places like Australia and Dubai.”

However, the glamorous world of the private detective as portrayed in the black and white movies of the 1930s and ’40s is a thing of the past.

“It’s not a seedy life, and I’m not like Humphrey Bogart.

“I spend most of my time online, as 90 per cent is trace work, which can reduce costs to the client.

“Everybody leaves a trail, whether it’s bills, credit or the electoral roll. It all leaves a footprint for me to follow.”

Chris admits that he has to draw the line somewhere, as more unscrupulous clients have asked him if he will undertake illegal activities, such as accessing information that is prohibited under the Data Protection Act.

“It doesn’t happen very often, and I immediately say no. Some people think you can simply hack into computer systems to trawl through telephone records or bank details.”

He believes it’s possible to stay within the law and still get results.

“I’d say 95 per cent of the time you can find anybody, unless they’re living in a cave!

“Every day the average person will inevitably leave a trace.”