Domestic investigations, child custody and background screening across Palmetto Bay and Miami-Dade County.
Memberships & Affiliations
Led by François McKinnon, a veteran investigator with over 30 years of South Florida field experience, our team provides the strategic insight required for high-stakes legal and corporate investigations.
With over three decades of field experience, our licensed Palmetto Bay investigators specialize in high-stakes surveillance, complex corporate due diligence, and sensitive domestic matters.
We navigate the unique cultural and legal landscape of Palmetto Bay, from the the historic Deering Estate to the waterfront Thalatta Estate to the surrounding professional districts, to provide our clients with a distinct local advantage and results they can rely on.
Palmetto Bay is one of Miami-Dade County’s most affluent residential villages, with a permanent population of around 26,000 concentrated in family estates along Old Cutler Road and the surrounding South Miami-Dade communities. Its identity as a family-first suburb; consistently ranked among Miami-Dade’s top communities for schools and quality of life, creates a specific investigative profile driven by domestic cases, child custody disputes, and background screening rather than the corporate or international case types found in Miami’s business districts.
The 11th Judicial Circuit family court handles a consistent volume of custody and domestic cases from Palmetto Bay. High-income households, significant property assets, and the community’s private school network create the conditions for high-stakes custody disputes where professional investigation and documented evidence are decisive.
Conducting investigations in Palmetto Bay requires an intimate understanding of the city’s diverse terrain, from the Old Cutler Neighborhood Commercial District and South Dixie Highway Commercial Corridor to the residential communities of Old Cutler Road and Royal Harbour Yacht Club. At McKinnon Investigative Group Inc, we provide seamless, low-profile coverage across the entire Miami-Dade metro area, ensuring our field agents are always positioned for rapid response and optimal surveillance positioning.
– South Dixie Highway – The Falls Shopping Center – South Dade Transitway – Southwest 175th Terrace
– Royal Harbour Yacht Club – Old Cutler Palms – Cutler Oaks – Casa de Campo
– The Falls – Suniland Shopping Center – Colonial Palms Plaza – Kings Bay Shopping Center
Our private investigation firm in Palmetto Bay provides a full suite of services, including surveillance, background checks, and due diligence. Handled with professional reliability and absolute discretion, our work delivers courtroom-ready results. Our team’s deep familiarity with Miami-Dade County ensures excellence for both legal and private clients.
Serving individuals, families and attorneys throughout Palmetto Bay and South Miami-Dade.
Detailed reporting on living conditions, parental conduct, and potential risks.
Trusted by Palmetto Bay and South Miami-Dade businesses to uncover fraud, misconduct, and internal risks.
Analysis of digital activity and patterns to support legal or personal matters.
Screen potential employees, partners, or personal connections thoroughly.
Identify risks before mergers, investments, or major financial commitments.
Get clarity in sensitive family matters like abuse, dishonesty, or hidden finances.
Uncover the truth behind suspicious claims with thorough surveillance.
Confirm or disprove claims with discreet observation and factual reporting.
McKinnon Investigative Group Inc is here to provide discreet, professional support backed by over 30 years of trusted experience. We offer a no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss the specifics of your case, outline a strategic investigative plan, and explain the legal pathways to securing the evidence you require.
Most clients reach out to McKinnon Investigative Group Inc. when their intuition suggests a discrepancy, but they lack the objective evidence required to take legal or personal action. In a high-speed hub like Palmetto Bay, these red flags often manifest in specific ways. If you are experiencing any of the following, a confidential consultation is the necessary next step to protect your interests.
Sudden shifts in business cash flow or personal spending in Palmetto Bay often signal hidden assets. We specialize in tracing these ‘digital footprints’ across Miami-Dade County’s financial networks.
Rapid changes in work hours or travel routines are often the first indicators of infidelity.
If your counsel cannot locate a witness or uncover assets in the 11th, we provide the field research that databases alone cannot offer.
When child safety is at stake in the 11th, we act as a ‘silent witness,’ documenting conduct to support your case in Miami-Dade family court.
Suspicion of payroll abuse, inventory shrinkage, or workers’ compensation fraud can cripple a business. We conduct internal audits and discreet employee surveillance to protect your bottom line and legal liability.
Before a high-profile marriage or business deal in Palmetto Bay, our due diligence deep-dives vet the reputation and history of your potential partners.
If your profession or lifestyle makes you a target, waiting for a threat to manifest is a mistake. We provide threat assessments and low-profile protection to mitigate risks before they become incidents.
Experience is vital for Palmetto Bay investigations to ensure legal compliance and reliable results. While many firms exist, McKinnon Investigative Group sets the standard with 30 years of litigation support. Their expertise ensures rigorous evidence handling that meets FDACS 2026 licensing standards, protecting your case from inadmissible findings.
We begin with a deep-dive consultation to define your objectives, identify legal constraints, and establish a specialized investigative scope tailored to the Palmetto Bay landscape.
Conduct mobile surveillance in Palmetto Bay using conspicuous signage per Florida Statute 810.14. Ensure all-party consent for audio and verify AI-generated intelligence for accuracy and transparency under Miami-Dade County standards.
Utilizing high-resolution optics and advanced fieldcraft, our investigators execute the plan with maximum discretion.
You receive a professional, chronological report supported by time-stamped media and affidavits ready for legal review in the 11th Judicial Circuit or personal clarity.
When necessary, we work directly with your counsel to coordinate findings, providing the sworn testimony needed to move your case forward in Miami-Dade courts.
Palmetto Bay’s role as a major hub for Retail Trade and VIP activity creates unique security challenges.
Our executive protection services focus on discretion, meticulous preparation, and seamless movement through the Miami-Dade County landscape.
Feel confident that you are hiring highly experienced professionals for your investigation.
We will show up at the scheduled time and complete the investigation in a prompt and efficient manner.
Our highly experienced investigators will provide you with optimal results.
Years of combined experience in the professional investigative field
Successful investigations completed across a wide range of cases
Countries Where We Have Conducted Investigations
Work with a fully compliant agency operating under FL Statute §493.
Deep expertise in Palmetto Bay neighborhoods combined with extensive experience navigating Miami-Dade County court systems ensures efficient legal logistics management.
No two cases are the same. We adapt our approach to your objectives.
Our team brings an elite level of training and insight to complex investigations.
As a premier residential enclave in Miami-Dade County, Palmetto Bay requires discrete and professional investigative services. Our firm specializes in family law matters and domestic asset protection, providing the peace of mind and security that affluent South Florida families deserve.
– Provide professional documentation for high-conflict family court cases in Miami-Dade County to ensure the safety and well-being of children – Investigate suspected infidelity within the exclusive luxury lifestyle of Palmetto Bay to provide clarity and evidence for domestic matters – Protect local Palmetto Bay businesses by conducting internal investigations into corporate fraud and financial irregularities – Conduct comprehensive background checks to verify the history and character of individuals for personal or professional peace of mind – Deliver discreet surveillance and security services for properties ranging from the historic Deering Estate to the scenic waterfront Thalatta Estate
Palmetto Bay is an affluent residential village in South Miami-Dade, known for excellent schools, family-oriented communities, and a high-income permanent population. Its predominantly residential character and active family court docket in the 11th Judicial Circuit create consistent demand for domestic, child custody, and background investigation services.
Our investigative team maintains a deep operational presence across these primary Miami-Dade institutions. We leverage these facilities to conduct on-site records research, file legal documentation, and coordinate jurisdictional field operations.
The value of an investigation is defined by the integrity of the evidence. At McKinnon Investigative Group Inc., we follow a rigorous set of internal protocols designed to ensure that the facts we uncover are documented with the highest level of professional care.
Success in a private investigation isn’t just about what you see; it’s about how that information is documented and the local insight used to capture it. At McKinnon Investigative Group Inc, we bridge the gap between high-level street-smarts and rigorous legal standards.
Operating in Palmetto Bay presents unique challenges, from the historic Deering Estate to the waterfront Thalatta Estate areas. Our investigators master Miami-Dade County traffic and cultural nuances, maintaining seamless visual contact. We deliver professional evidence meticulously prepared to meet the strict legal standards of the 11th Judicial Circuit.
Confidentiality is critical for Palmetto Bay investigations to ensure a quiet and strategic start. Tipping off a subject, whether a spouse or business partner, makes professional surveillance nearly impossible by alerting them to hide evidence. Maintaining secrecy allows investigators to gather authentic information before a target changes behavior or discovery.
Avoid Direct Confrontation: Confronting a subject in Palmetto Bay without proof usually causes them to hide evidence or change their behavior, making a future professional investigation in Miami-Dade County significantly more difficult.
Refrain from ‘DIY’ Surveillance: Attempted ‘tailing’ through Palmetto Bay traffic often leads to the investigator being ‘made,’ which can result in harassment charges or physical altercations.
Do Not Use Illegal Tracking: Using unlicensed GPS trackers violates Florida Statute §934.425. This renders evidence inadmissible in the 11th Judicial Circuit and potentially exposes you to a third-degree felony charge.
Maintain Absolute Confidentiality: Do not share your suspicions with anyone in your Palmetto Bay social or professional circles; the more people who know, the higher the risk of the subject being tipped off.
Do Not Attempt Unauthorized Access: Unauthorized access to private accounts violates federal laws and Florida’s Computer Abuse and Data Recovery Act (CADRA), making any discovered information useless in a Miami-Dade legal proceeding.
In the state of Florida, there is no legal distinction between the two terms; both refer to professionals licensed under Chapter 493 to conduct investigative services. While “private detective” is a more traditional term often used in popular culture, “private investigator” is the official designation used by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). At McKinnon Investigative Group Inc., we fulfill all state requirements to carry this professional title.
Yes, it is entirely legal to hire a private investigator in Palmetto Bay, provided the agency is licensed through the FDACS. Our firm operates under Florida Statute §493, ensuring all surveillance in Miami-Dade County is performed within state and federal law.
Absolutely. Evidence collected by a licensed investigator is highly valuable in Miami-Dadecourts, provided it meets the evidentiary standards of the 11th Judicial Circuit. We follow rigorous Chain of Custody protocols and provide time-stamped media, detailed chronological logs, and professional affidavits specifically designed for courtroom admissibility. Our investigators are also prepared to provide expert witness testimony to authenticate our findings during legal proceedings.
Private investigator costs in Palmetto Bay vary by logistics. Rates differ between surveillance in the historic Deering Estate or waterfront Thalatta Estate versus background checks. We provide transparent estimates for all Palmetto Bay residents to ensure clarity for every case.
McKinnon Investigative Group serves Palmetto Bay and all of Miami-Dade County. We cover every area of the village including the Old Cutler Road corridor, the waterfront communities along Biscayne Bay, and the residential areas near Palmetto Bay Park. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation.
Yes. McKinnon Investigative Group works with family law attorneys handling cases in the 11th Judicial Circuit for South Miami-Dade clients. We provide surveillance reports, time-stamped video, and sworn testimony for custody and domestic matters.
Our firm provides comprehensive coverage throughout the entire Palmetto Bay metro area and surrounding communities. We have deep operational experience in Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Old Cutler Corridor, and Cutler Bay and the greater Miami-Dade County region. Our local knowledge of traffic patterns and neighborhood dynamics ensures more efficient surveillance.
Yes, we specialize in high-level skip tracing for individuals evading service of process in Palmetto Bay. We combine access to proprietary, non-public databases with tactical field research to track down witnesses or missing persons across Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida.
Yes. Child custody cases in Palmetto Bay are handled by the 11th Judicial Circuit family court. We provide documented evidence of parental conduct, living conditions, and lifestyle factors that bear directly on custody determinations. Our reports are prepared specifically for admissibility in Miami-Dade family court proceedings.
Yes. Every investigation concludes with a professional, chronological report that serves as a permanent record. These reports are supported by time-stamped media and can be converted into sworn affidavits for use in Miami-Dade County legal proceedings.
We utilize professional-grade tools including 4K high-resolution cameras, night-vision optics, and covert body-worn equipment for indoor environments in Palmetto Bay. We also use specialized software for lawful asset tracking to ensure the best possible evidence for your case.
Yes. While we are based in South Florida, our reach extends globally. Many of our Palmetto Bay cases involve connections in Latin America or the Caribbean. We coordinate investigations across international borders for our global clients from our regional operations hub.
The process begins with a 100% confidential consultation. During this call or meeting, we will discuss your objectives, assess the feasibility of the case, and develop a strategic investigative plan tailored to your specific needs and budget.
