Investigative Services

Our well-developed, focused expertise is in procuring the information, providing the analysis, and obtaining the evidence needed without compromising the investigation's integrity. We work directly with criminal defense attorneys, employing time-tested investigative techniques and the most reliable technology to achieve this aim and provide our clients with accurate, timely results.

Our investigative team's commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and strict adherence to the Washington State Bar Association's Rules of Professional Conduct and the Washington State Court's Rules of Evidence ensures you can trust us with your sensitive information. Please understand that we will work diligently to finish the job right, the first time. Regardless of the fact pattern, we will give you our best throughout every phase of the investigative process.

If intelligence, tenacity, and experience matter the most when it really counts, please contact the team at Harrington Investigations P.C. today to schedule a free initial consultation, but since you're here already... please take a moment to meet:

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

Dr. Harrington is our Agency Principal, 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.

His experience conducting interviews and preparing mitigation packages for violent criminal cases comprises this Agency's foundation. Dr. Harrington's leadership and training experience have contributed to his effectiveness as a manager, mentor, and long-time contributor in the investigative industry.

Shawnna Morris, AA, AS (WA PI 4828)

Investigator Morris is based in Kennewick, WA. She works diligently to provide what is needed for every case. Her reliability and unceasing desire to serve her Clients are 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.

Erin Harrington (WA PI 25004635)

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 expand her skills, Investigator Harrington worked as an Administrator and Investigative Assistant with Harrington Investigations in 2018.

As our business expanded in 2024, she obtained her Private Investigator's license and assumed the challenges of her caseload, specializing in criminal defense and background investigations. Investigator Harrington also lived abroad (in France) and her French language fluency and exposure to this work have rendered her invaluable over the years.

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, professional Private Investigator or Mitigation Consultant specializing exclusively in criminal defense cases, pre-charging through post-conviction, please contact us at (360) 499-2405 or help@harringtonpi.com.