The investigator SC attorneys call.
Court-tested investigation support for South Carolina family-law, criminal-defense, civil-litigation, and personal-injury practices. Reports built for cross-examination. Investigators who testify.
A meaningful share of our caseload comes from SC firms — because our reports survive cross-examination.
Reports that survive cross-examination — because the investigator does.
When you put one of our reports in front of a SC judge, you’re also putting our investigator on the stand. Both have to hold up.
Most attorney-PI relationships start the same way: a referral from another firm, a complex case where the standard agency approach fails, or a fact pattern that needs more than database research. Stillinger Investigations builds case files to a single standard — admissibility — from minute one.
Our investigators are SLED-licensed (#1586), bonded, insured, and qualified as professional witnesses in SC Family Court, Circuit Court (General Sessions and Common Pleas), and US District Court for the District of South Carolina. Our digital forensics lab is led by a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner with expert-witness qualification in federal and state court since 2010.
What we do for SC firms.
Family Law Investigation
Infidelity surveillance for SC fault-divorce cases, child-custody documentation, hidden-income investigations, asset searches. Reports formatted for direct attorney submission.
Criminal Defense
Independent fact-development for SC defense practices. Alibi verification, witness location and interviews, scene investigation, digital-forensic device examination.
Civil Litigation Support
Pre-litigation fact development, witness location, statements/interviews, asset searches for judgment recovery, jury profiling, venue research.
Personal Injury Investigation
Accident reconstruction support, scene documentation, witness location, claimant background investigation, social media verification.
Process Service
Licensed statewide process service with skip tracing for evasive defendants. Court-acceptable affidavits of service. Same-day rush available.
Digital Forensics & eDiscovery
In-house lab. Forensic device imaging, deleted-data recovery, ESI preservation, document analysis, expert testimony on chain-of-custody and authenticity.
Witness Location & Statements
Skip tracing for hard-to-find witnesses, recorded interviews, sworn statements. We locate witnesses other firms have given up on.
Workers’ Comp & Insurance Defense
Covert surveillance for defense counsel representing employers and insurance carriers. SIU support and SC Workers’ Comp Commission testimony.
Four phases. Built for billing-cycle reality.
Case Strategy Call
15-minute call between case attorney and senior investigator. Scope, objectives, timeline, fixed retainer.
Within 24 hoursEngagement & Retainer
Standard engagement letter or court-approved order for appointed cases. Privilege-preserving structure.
Same dayInvestigation
SLED-licensed investigators conduct fieldwork. Discreet check-ins so you’re never wondering what’s happening.
7–21 days typicalReport & Testimony
Professional written report, supporting media, and expert witness availability for hearings, depositions, and trial.
Court-readyWhy SC firms trust us with the cases that matter.
Brian Stillinger, founder and CEO, holds an MBA from the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina. Brian served as a U.S. Marine Military Security Specialist (Presidential Security Detail, 1989–1997) before founding Stillinger Investigations.
Our team of 12 full-time SLED-licensed investigators brings backgrounds in law enforcement, military intelligence, and certified digital forensics. We’re trusted by South Carolina family-law attorneys, insurance carriers, and corporate clients statewide.
- SLED License #1586 — verified at SLED PI & Security Licensing
- 12 full-time licensed investigators — not freelancers
- 125+ years combined investigative experience
- Licensed in South Carolina, North Carolina & Georgia
- Court-qualified expert witness testimony
- In-house Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE)
Attorney engagement FAQ.
How does engagement with a SC law firm work?
Most attorney engagements begin with a 15-minute call between Brian (or a senior investigator) and the case attorney. We discuss scope, evidentiary objectives, and timeline; provide a fixed retainer; and begin within 24–48 hours. Court-appointed Public Defender cases with a signed judicial fee order do not require an advance retainer — we bill at the approved rate.
Will your investigators testify?
Yes. All our investigators are SLED-licensed under License #1586 and have testified as professional witnesses in SC Family Court, Circuit Court (General Sessions and Common Pleas), and US District Court for the District of South Carolina.
Can you support criminal defense investigations?
Yes — extensively. We handle alibi verification, witness location and interviews, scene investigation, digital-forensic device examination, and post-conviction re-investigation for PCR petitions and appeals. We coordinate with public-defender and private defense counsel statewide.
How do you handle attorney-client privilege protections?
Engagements are structured to preserve work-product and attorney-client privilege. We work as agents of the law firm, communicate through privileged channels, and store evidence under the attorney’s direction. Your firm’s privilege protections extend to our work.
What case types do you handle for family-law attorneys?
Infidelity surveillance for SC fault-divorce cases, child-custody documentation, asset searches, hidden-income investigations, witness location, and digital forensics on shared devices. Most SC family-law firms in Columbia, Charleston, and the Upstate refer cases to us regularly.
Do you handle personal-injury and civil litigation work?
Yes. Witness location, accident scene investigation and reconstruction support, statements/interviews, asset searches for judgment recovery, and pre-litigation fact development. We also conduct jury profiling and venue research.
Talk to Brian or a senior investigator. Confidential firm consultation.
Tell us about the case (high level — privilege-preserving). We’ll respond promptly with a strategy discussion and quote.
- Direct line to a senior investigator — not an answering service or sales rep
- 1-hour callback promise — including nights, weekends, and holidays
- Honest assessment — we’ll tell you upfront if we can help, and what it takes
- Complete confidentiality — your inquiry is privileged from the moment you submit
- No pressure, no sales — we’ve never made a single cold-call in 25 years
Or call directly · (803) 400-1974
Send us a message
We typically reply within an hour. Your inquiry is completely confidential.
The firm SC attorneys refer to.
One call. One licensed investigator. One free, fully confidential conversation about exactly what’s possible in your case.
(803) 400-1974