Business Details
34 Years
experience
Professional Private Investigator Services in Rochester, MN
Founded in 1992, Crescent Investigative Services has completed over 5,000 cases, serving attorneys, law enforcement, businesses, and insurance entities across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and nationally. Our team comprises retired FBI agents, state troopers, certified digital forensic examiners, and specialists with decades of combined experience in criminal investigations, digital evidence preservation, and corporate security. We provide litigation support, asset searches, background investigations, and executive protection services grounded in law enforcement expertise and ethical standards.Our consultants include decorated veterans, certified mediators, and specialists in crash reconstruction and digital forensics. We maintain partnerships with FlashlightNOW for nationwide service delivery and offer remote audits to reduce client costs. Our approach combines discretion, impartiality, and professionalism to deliver actionable intelligence for legal, corporate, and insurance clients. With offices in Southeast Minnesota, we leverage proximity to the Mayo Clinic to serve regional and national clients requiring specialized investigative solutions.
Services
Litigation Support
Digital Forensics
Asset Searches
Background Investigations
Security Training
Process Serving
Executive Protection
Evidence Audits
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- Our team includes retired FBI agents, state troopers, and certified digital forensic examiners
- We've completed 5,000+ investigations since 1992 with law enforcement-trained specialists
- Offering remote BWC audits that reduce agency compliance costs by 40%
- Certified Fire & Vehicle Investigators handle complex origin & cause determinations
- Executive protection team comprises vetted military veterans and law enforcement agents
Services
Litigation Support Services
Our litigation support assists legal teams during discovery phases by gathering critical evidence and witness statements. With seasoned investigators having decades of law enforcement experience, we provide factual analysis for criminal and civil cases. Our services include case strategy development, evidence documentation, and sworn affidavit preparation to strengthen legal positions.
Digital Forensics
We recover and preserve digital evidence from computers, mobile devices, and cloud platforms for legal proceedings. Certified examiners use specialized tools like Cellebrite and FTK to extract data while maintaining chain-of-custody protocols. Our services support criminal defense, corporate investigations, and insurance claims requiring electronic evidence analysis.
Asset Searches
Our asset search services locate hidden financial resources for insurance companies and law firms. Investigators use public records, banking information, and property databases to create comprehensive financial profiles. This helps clients make informed decisions about settlements, judgments, and risk assessments through verified asset documentation.
Background Investigations
We conduct thorough background checks for businesses needing reliable hiring information. Our investigations include criminal record reviews, employment verification, and reference checks tailored to specific industry requirements. Unlike automated systems, our manual checks provide complete, actionable intelligence for HR decision-making.
Executive Protection
Our executive protection services provide discreet security for high-profile individuals through trained professionals with military and law enforcement backgrounds. Services include threat assessment, secure transportation, counter-surveillance, and event security. We maintain client confidentiality while implementing proactive safety measures for residential and corporate environments.
People
Dean Mikel
Founder
With 30+ years in private investigations, Dean established Crescent in 1992 after U.S. State Department service. He's handled 5,000+ cases for law firms, insurance companies, and government agencies.
Brian Bartholmey
Investigator
Retired FBI Special Agent with 29 years' experience investigating bank robbery, drug trafficking, and terrorism. Recognized as Southern Minnesota's top investigator for complex case resolution.
Mark Dungy
Digital Forensics
Certified Digital Forensic Examiner with 20+ years in law enforcement. Specializes in child exploitation cases and uses Magnet, Cellebrite, and FTK software for evidence recovery in criminal investigations.
Rick Busch
Investigator
Decorated combat veteran and former Iowa State Patrol Sergeant. Trained in protective services with field experience across five continents and specialized narcotics enforcement expertise.
Bill Sires
Investigator
20-year Crescent team member with extensive law enforcement background including Minnesota State Patrol service. Specializes in civil litigation investigations and executive protection with former chief deputy experience.
Questions
What geographic areas do you serve?
We operate throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, with headquarters in Rochester. Our services extend nationwide through strategic partnerships.
Do you handle digital evidence recovery?
Yes, our certified digital forensic examiners recover data from computers, cell phones, gaming devices, and cloud storage platforms.
Can you perform background investigations for businesses?
We conduct comprehensive pre-employment screenings and corporate background checks tailored to your specific security needs.
What executive security services are available?
Our armed protection services include executive drivers, counter-surveillance, corporate security details, and out-of-state travel support.
Do you offer process serving capabilities?
Yes, we provide legal document delivery services including subpoenas, summonses, and court notices with proof of service.
Reviews (1)
Kari Brown
Aug 28, 2021
Report
The investigators at Crescent are true professionals. In working with Bill, I learned he is intelligent, thorough, and has high standards for his work. But what I appreciated most is how easy he was to work with, thanks to the time and attention he dedicated to our project. I highly recommend their services.