Investigative Services

At Harrington Investigations, Dr. Harrington and his Investigative Team are committed to delivering high-quality investigative services that identify and meet our Clients' unique needs. Our experienced Private Investigators and Mitigation Consultants use the latest tools and techniques to gather and analyze data, providing our Clients with accurate and reliable information. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, attention to detail, and Client-centric approach.

Although we have been hired to work on various cases because of our investigative instincts, experience, and identifiable expertise, our Private Investigators and Mitigation Consultants focus mostly on Criminal Defense and Post-Conviction Relief (PCR) Investigation. Regardless of the fact pattern, we will give you our best throughout every phase of the investigative process.

So, since you're here already... please take a moment to meet our Investigative Team.

R. Shane Harrington, PhD, MBA (WA PI 3828)

     Dr. Harrington is our Agency Principal and Founder, Private Investigator, and Mitigation Consultant. Having worked throughout the Pacific Northwest since 2001, Attorneys have hired Dr. Harrington to analyze some of the most challenging and complex cases as they prepare for Trial, attempt to identify, locate, and secure new evidence when seeking PCR, or mitigate for a Client when their story needs to be told. Dr. Harrington's experience conducting interviews and preparing mitigation packages for violent criminal cases comprises this Agency's foundation.

Shawnna Morris, AA, AS (WA PI 4828)

     Investigator Morris, our lead Criminal Defense Investigator in Eastern Washington, is based in the Tri-Cities area. Investigator Morris works diligently to provide what is needed for every case. Her reliability and unceasing desire to serve her Clients is remarkable, and inevitably, Investigator Morris has become one of the most relevant and insightful investigators practicing today. It is an honor to know her, to work with her, and to have her as an essential part of the Harrington Investigations Team. Many of the Attorneys she works with say the same.

Joshua Martin (WA PI 23021483)

     Investigator Martin is the Private Investigator who enjoys the field work the most, handling many of Harrington Investigations cases throughout Western Washington. While his primary focus is coordinating and conducting criminal defense investigations, Investigator Martin also leads our surveillance operations and missing persons investigations.

     Additionally, he is adept at identifying, locating, retrieving, and synthesizing the various forms of evidence we are expected to secure, analyze, and provide to the multiple stakeholders involved in each of our legal cases. Investigator Martin's experience and thoroughly developed expertise has provided significant insight as he endeavors to increase his working knowledge and functional capabilities in his chosen profession.

Erin Harrington (WA PI 2500037)

     Investigator Harrington began working in the legal community in 2016, as a Paralegal for a Criminal Defense Attorney based in Olympia, WA. As she continued to gain experience and expland her skills, Investigator Harrington worked as an Administrator and Investigative Assistant with Harrington Investigations in 2018.

     As our business continued to expand in 2024, she decided to obtain her Private Investigator's license and assume the challenges of her own caseload specializing in criminal defense and background investigations. Her French language fluency and exposure to this work over the years has rendered her invaluable.

Kael Moffat (WA PI 2500038)

     While he also conducts criminal defense investigations, Investigator Moffat focuses primarily on providing in-depth, exhaustive mitigation research and consultative services for many of the complex, trauma impacted Defendant's our firm works with.

     These cases can include individuals who have decided to take their chances and represent themselves (going Pro Se) or are represented by some of the best Attorney's in Washington State. Investigator Moffat's unceasing desire to advocate on behalf of those who are not in a position to do so for themselves is of tremendous value to all of the stakeholders involved in the outcome of each legal matter entrusted to him.

Atlantis McGowen (WA PI 2500039)

     While serving as a Security Forces Specialist in the USAF, Investigator McGowen gained tremendous insight into law enforcement protocols, guidelines, and techniques. This experience was invaluable as she transitioned toward becoming a Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI). It is through this lens that she is able to dissect the relevant components of each case and offer specific insight in her work as a Private Investigator with Harrington Investigations. We are honored to work with her and have her as an integral member of our Investigative Team and we trust that you will feel the same.

Harrington Investigations conducts:

Given this, it is essential to realize that comprehensive, thorough investigations and formulating strategic mitigation packages take time. Especially cases involving allegations of violent crime. In these cases, many Law Enforcement Officers and Experts, Witnesses and Alleged Victims(s), along with their families, friends, etc., may need to be researched thoroughly, located, and eventually interviewed. If directed by the Attorney's or Pro Se Defendants in some situations, exculpatory evidence may be sought, found, preserved, and submitted to the Court via the Attorney-of-Record.

We will always strive to work diligently and do our best. However, it is essential to understand that the most beneficial remedies often occur in an investigation when we have exhausted all or most of the other identifiable possibilities. There is simply no way around it, with many factors, foreseen and unforeseen, impacting the outcome. And while many of our Clients seek a rapid resolution of their legal situation, it may not be probable, ideal, or remotely realistic.

This is why we ask for the time necessary to conduct a competent, thorough, and potentially exhaustive investigation, understanding that no one can guarantee its result. 

The only promise a Private Investigator can legitimately make is that they will pledge to do everything they are legally able to do, within reason, to help a Client favorably resolve their legal matter. Knowing this, an experienced, competent Attorney will determine the best course of action after thoroughly processing and analyzing the investigative findings.

The rule is that an Attorney will ultimately determine the defense strategy and coordinate the case flow. The Attorney will work directly with the Investigator. Although a Private Investigator may be involved in preparing a case for Trial, it is solely the Attorney's responsibility to provide legal advice, issue Subpoena's, and represent you in Court, never the Investigator's. 

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Identifying and knowing what to do and, most importantly, what not to do is one of the many reasons why Harrington Investigations has become one of the premier, professional Private Investigator Agency's in Washington State. Trust that our Team of Investigators will not quit or fail; if something is to be found that will help you, we are unceasingly committed to finding it by the Attorney's request and at their direction.

Most of the criminal cases assigned to our investigators include violent crime allegations. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), violent crime comprises murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, followed by property crimes of burglary, larceny theft, and motor vehicle theft. Violent crimes are defined by the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program as those offenses that involve force or the threat of force. 

Some of the additional criminal cases investigated have included charges of theft, sodomy, reckless driving, negligent driving, physical control, shoplifting, driving under the influence (DUI), fraud, simple assault, no-contact order violations, identity theft, child molestation, kidnapping, animal cruelty, malicious mischief, sex trafficking, firearm possession, interfering with a health care facility, and harassment with threats to kill.​

If you need an experienced Private Investigator, Mitigation Consultant, Surveillance Operator, or Process Server, please contact us at (360) 556-1448 or help@harringtonpi.com.

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