McKinnon Investigative Group handles domestic investigations, child custody cases and background screening across Pinecrest 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.
Based in South Florida, McKinnon Investigative Group Inc has earned a reputation in Pinecrest for professionalism, clear communication, and reliable results.
With over three decades of field experience, our licensed Pinecrest investigators specialize in high-stakes surveillance, complex corporate due diligence, and sensitive domestic matters.
We navigate the unique cultural and legal landscape of Pinecrest, from the the lush gardens of Pinecrest Gardens to the oversized estates of Arboretum Estates to the surrounding professional districts, to provide our clients with a distinct local advantage and results they can rely on.
Conducting investigations in Pinecrest requires an intimate understanding of the city’s diverse terrain, from the Pinecrest Parkway (US 1) and Pinecrest Business Alternative District to the residential communities of Helms Country Estates and Stritter Estates. 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.
– Pinecrest Place – South Dixie Highway (US-1) Corridor – Suniland Shopping Center – SW 124th Street District
– Pinecrest by the Sea – Arboretum Estates – Sanctuary at Pinecrest – Palms Estates
– Pinecrest Place – Suniland Shopping Center – Pinecrest Plaza – Shoppes at Pinecrest
Our private investigation firm in Pinecrest 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 the Miami-Dade County area ensures excellence for both legal and private clients.
Serving high-profile clients and family cases throughout Miami and Miami Beach.
Detailed reporting on living conditions, parental conduct, and potential risks.
Trusted by Miami businesses from Brickell to Doral 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.
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 Pinecrest, 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 Pinecrest 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 Pinecrest, 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.
Hiring unlicensed PIs in Pinecrest risks legal liability and inadmissible evidence. Per 2026 FDACS reports, Florida has over 1,500 agencies, yet few possess the 30 years of experience required for complex Miami-Dade County cases. Ensure your investigation is conducted by licensed professionals to avoid compromising your case’s legal integrity.
We begin with a deep-dive consultation to define your objectives, identify legal constraints, and establish a specialized investigative scope tailored to the Pinecrest landscape.
Execute investigative tactics in Pinecrest aligned with Florida Statute §493 standards for Miami-Dade County. Focus on ethical evidence gathering to protect case integrity for future legal proceedings within the local court.
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.
Pinecrest’s role as a major hub for Professional Services and Finance 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 understanding of Pinecrest neighborhoods combined with extensive experience navigating Miami-Dade County court systems ensures efficient legal logistics and representation.
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 an affluent residential enclave in Miami-Dade County, Pinecrest requires discreet, high-level investigative services. Our firm specializes in family law matters and domestic asset protection, providing the sophisticated expertise needed to safeguard your family’s future and privacy in this prestigious community.
– Gather evidence for Miami-Dade County high-conflict family court cases to document parental behavior and protect the well-being of children – Investigate suspected infidelity within the exclusive luxury lifestyle of Pinecrest to provide clarity and evidence for domestic matters – Protect local Pinecrest businesses by conducting investigations into corporate fraud, embezzlement, and internal theft – Perform detailed background checks to verify the criminal, financial, and professional history of individuals for personal or employment security – Provide professional surveillance and security services for properties ranging from the lush gardens of Pinecrest Gardens to the oversized estates of Arboretum Estates
As an affluent Miami-Dade hub with high-net-worth residents and a thriving corporate landscape, Pinecrest’s high-stakes environment drives significant demand for professional due diligence and surveillance services to ensure transparency, security, and informed decision-making for both elite families and businesses.
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 Pinecrest presents unique challenges, from the lush foliage of Pinecrest Gardens to the oversized estates of Arboretum Estates. Our investigators understand Miami-Dade County traffic and cultural nuances, allowing us to maintain visual contact and deliver professional evidence that meets the strict standards of the 11th Judicial Circuit.
Confidentiality is essential for Pinecrest investigations to ensure a quiet and strategic start. Tipping off a subject, whether a spouse or business partner, makes professional surveillance in Pinecrest nearly impossible by alerting them to hide evidence. Maintaining secrecy allows investigators to gather authentic information before a target changes behavior.
Avoid Direct Confrontation: Confronting a subject in Pinecrest 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 Pinecrest 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 Pinecrest 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 Pinecrest, 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 Pinecrest vary by logistics. Rates differ between surveillance in the lush gardens of Pinecrest Gardens or the oversized estates of Arboretum Estates versus background checks. We provide transparent estimates for all Pinecrest residents to ensure clarity.
Discretion is our foundation. Our Pinecrest field agents use low-profile vehicles and long-range optics to maintain distance. We minimize risk even in high-density areas like the lush gardens of Pinecrest Gardens to the oversized estates of Arboretum Estates or local gated communities.
Frequently. We serve as a strategic partner to legal counsel throughout South Florida, providing the critical discovery and surveillance needed for family law, civil litigation, and criminal defense. Whether it is locating a missing witness or uncovering hidden assets for a divorce case in Miami-Dade Family Court, we align our investigative tactics with the attorney’s overall case strategy.
Our firm provides comprehensive coverage throughout the entire Pinecrest metro area and surrounding communities. We have deep operational experience in Coral Gables, South Miami, Palmetto Bay, and Coconut Grove 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 Pinecrest. 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.
Under Florida law, we legally conduct surveillance from public vantage points where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. We strictly adhere to Florida Statute §810.145 to ensure all evidence gathered in Pinecrest is obtained lawfully and remains admissible in the 11th Judicial Circuit.
The timeline depends on the scope of the case. A straightforward background check in Pinecrest may be completed in 48 to 72 hours, while complex corporate fraud investigations involving multiple surveillance shifts in Miami-Dade County can take several weeks.
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 Pinecrest. 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 Pinecrest 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.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, we provide private investigation services across South Florida, the Treasure Coast, and the Florida Keys, including:
