Our Investigation Firm History

Our private investigation agency have forty years of genuine private investigation expertise for all types of investigations, not just online education or police training. We was formed in California as Snelling & Associates were quickly known the best surveillance experts. Director Donna Snelling's partnership secured California's first fraud workers' comp "take nothing" reward, which influenced California's criminal law. She also reopened a Portland, Oregon office where she was educated, arming 15 years of licensed experience. Today, we offer international and national private investigations and background checks as Snelling Private Investigators & Background Services, LLC.  

Our Director

Donna Snelling is our founder and an active director, gives us an edge for your cases. She has performed and managed private investigations and private investigation agencies since 1978 — from high profile and complex cases to internal fraud and high liability cases for countless government, business, legal and private clients.

​Prior, Donna was a fraud, surveillance and legal investigator, manager and director at leading corporate, workers comp and fraud investigative services in southern and northern California for 15 years. She was one of the first licensed female surveillance specialists and her partnership secured California's first fraud workers comp "take nothing" reward. She has been a private investigation college instructor and considered an expert witness in federal court.

Donna has been licensed in Oregon, Washington and California. She was educated at Sunset High School in Portland and Pacific University in Oregon.

Learn more at Donna Snelling's LinkedIn profile.
Special Announcement: With profound regret, we announce the recent sudden passing of our cherished colleague, Kevin Garrett (not Covid-19 related). Together, we celebrate successful two decades of perfecting our investigative craft.

​Clients and colleagues remember him as a natural leader, penetrative problem solver, high-minded, accomplished, and truly kind. Kevin made a great difference in our lives; we are better people for knowing him.

Family and friends plan a memorial in fall 2022 if possible.