Licensed private investigation firm serving Boston, the greater Metro area, and all of Massachusetts. Former law enforcement — 56+ combined years. Court-admissible evidence. Free consultation.
Serving Boston and greater Massachusetts: Donahue Investigative Services holds MA Private Investigator License #LP1599A. Our senior investigator Joseph E. McCain is a retired Somerville, MA police lieutenant with 26 years on the force — he knows the greater Boston area’s neighborhoods, courts, and how to gather evidence that holds up in MA proceedings.
Private Investigation Services in Boston, MA
Boston and its surrounding communities generate the full spectrum of investigative demand — from infidelity cases in affluent suburbs to corporate fraud in the Financial District, insurance surveillance across the North Shore, and child custody disputes in Probate and Family Court. We handle all of it with the same disciplined, professional approach.
Cheating Spouse Investigation
Discreet covert surveillance and evidence documentation for suspected infidelity in the Boston area.
Surveillance Investigations
Workers’ comp fraud, insurance abuse, personal injury defense, and corporate misconduct.
Child Custody Documentation
Parental behavior, visitation compliance, and household documentation for MA Probate and Family Court.
Background Checks & Skip Tracing
Professional background investigations and locate services for individuals and Boston-area businesses.
Corporate Investigations
Employee theft, workplace fraud, due diligence investigations, and internal investigation support.
Litigation Support
Evidence collection, witness locate, and surveillance documentation for Boston-area attorneys.
The Investigators Handling Your Boston Case
Joseph E. McCain
Joseph brings 30+ years of law enforcement experience to the firm, including 26 years with the Somerville, MA Police Department where he retired as a Lieutenant. His career in the heart of the greater Boston area means he understands the city’s neighborhoods, its courts, and the standards MA judges apply to investigative evidence.
Joseph’s background with NH DHHS adds specialized expertise in family-related investigations — child custody, parental fitness, and domestic cases. Licensed in both NH and MA.
Mark J. Donahue
Mark is a retired Salem, NH police officer with 34 years of law enforcement experience and federal task force credentials — DEA Task Force, ICAC Task Force, and AG Gang Task Force. He holds NH PI License #M-2025-0424 and MA License #LP1599A, and is actively involved in Massachusetts cases that require federal-level investigative expertise.
Why Local Knowledge Matters for Boston PI Work
The greater Boston area is not one market — it’s dozens of distinct communities, each with different neighborhood dynamics, traffic patterns, and courthouse procedures. Effective surveillance in Back Bay looks different from surveillance in Quincy, Brockton, or Lowell. Joseph McCain’s 26 years on the Somerville PD means that difference is built into how we operate.
We regularly work with family law attorneys, divorce attorneys, employment attorneys, and insurance defense counsel throughout the Boston area. Our reports meet MA evidentiary standards and our investigators are available for deposition and trial testimony.
MA Court Admissibility — What You Need to Know
Evidence gathered by a licensed Massachusetts private investigator through legal surveillance is admissible in MA courts — including Probate and Family Court for divorce and custody matters, Superior Court for civil litigation, and District Court for criminal defense support.
We document chain of custody for every piece of evidence, timestamp all media, and write investigative reports formatted for attorney review. If your case goes to court, we can testify.
Greater Boston Communities We Serve
We serve clients throughout greater Boston — the city proper and all surrounding communities including Cambridge, Somerville, Quincy, Brockton, Worcester, Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, Salem MA, Lynn, Waltham, Newton, Framingham, Marlborough, and the North and South Shores. Mobile surveillance means we follow where the case leads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a licensed PI serving Boston, MA?
Yes. Donahue Investigative Services (MA License #LP1599A) serves Boston and all of Massachusetts. Joseph E. McCain, our senior investigator, is a retired Somerville, MA police lieutenant with 26 years on the force and deep knowledge of greater Boston. Call 603-785-2800 for a free confidential consultation.
What PI services are available in Boston, MA?
In Boston we offer cheating spouse surveillance, child custody documentation, workers’ comp fraud, insurance fraud investigation, background checks, skip tracing, missing persons locate, corporate investigations, and litigation support. All evidence is gathered legally by licensed investigators and formatted for MA court use.
How do I hire a private investigator in Boston, Massachusetts?
Call 603-785-2800 for a free confidential consultation. We’ll discuss your situation honestly, explain what’s realistically documentable, and tell you whether an investigation makes sense. If you proceed, we’ll design a plan and begin within a few days. No obligation on the initial call.
Is evidence from a Boston PI admissible in Massachusetts court?
Yes. Evidence gathered by a licensed MA PI through legal surveillance is admissible in MA Probate and Family Court, Superior Court, and District Court. Our reports include documented chain of custody and timestamped media. Our investigators are available for deposition and trial testimony.
Free confidential consultation: 603-785-2800 — NH License #M-2025-0424 · MA License #LP1599A
