Sixgen in Baltimore: Corporate Investigation for Maryland Employers and Law Firms

Sixgen is a private investigation firm based in Baltimore that specializes in background checks, employment screening, litigation support, and corporate investigations for businesses, legal practices, and institutional clients across Maryland. The firm operates within the mid-market segment of the Baltimore investigations landscape, positioning itself between solo operators and national franchises by combining local market knowledge with investigative scope.

What Sixgen Actually Does

Sixgen conducts background investigations primarily for employment, due diligence, and legal discovery. Services include criminal record verification, employment history confirmation, asset searches, surveillance, witness interviews, and database research. The firm works with HR departments vetting candidates, attorneys preparing cases, and businesses managing risk. Unlike consumer-facing services like instant online screening tools, Sixgen performs field-level investigation where warranted, meaning investigators physically verify information and conduct in-person interviews. This distinguishes the firm from purely database-driven competitors and suits clients who need investigative depth beyond a records check.

Services and Pricing Structure

Sixgen charges on an engagement basis rather than fixed per-check rates. Employment background investigations typically range from $400 to $900 per subject, depending on complexity and depth. Litigation support and asset investigations command higher fees, often starting at $1,500 and scaling with scope. Ongoing surveillance is billed hourly at rates between $60 and $100 per hour plus expenses, and packages for multi-subject or repeated screening may offer modest volume discounts. Pricing varies by case particulars; confirm a binding estimate before committing, as investigations uncover variables that affect final cost.

The firm does not publish itemized rate cards online, requiring prospective clients to contact the office directly for quotes. This contrasts with some regional competitors offering published base rates, though those firms often charge additional fees for complexity that Sixgen may incorporate into its upfront estimate.

How Sixgen Compares to Other Baltimore Investigators

Baltimore's private investigation market includes solo operators, small multi-investigator firms, and national companies like Corporate Investigative Services and local options such as established sole proprietors. Sixgen's advantage lies in consistency of staffing and process; a solo operator may take weeks to handle volume, while national franchises sometimes route Baltimore cases to investigators outside Maryland who lack local court and record access. Sixgen's size and local base mean faster turnaround on Maryland-specific checks without outsourcing.

Pricing is mid-range. National firms sometimes undercut on simple database checks but charge substantially more for field investigation. Solo investigators may bid lower but offer less accountability and longer lead times. Choose Sixgen if your matter needs reliable turnaround and investigative depth without paying national franchise overhead. Choose a database-heavy competitor if you need only criminal history and employment verification on high volume at lowest cost. Choose a solo operator only if you have time flexibility and a personal referral.

Who Sixgen Suits and Who It Does Not

Sixgen fits employers screening candidates for sensitive roles (healthcare, finance, education), law firms preparing for discovery and deposition, corporations evaluating acquisition targets, and nonprofits managing governance risk. The firm suits clients who value local expertise and investigative judgment over commodity pricing.

Sixgen does not suit clients needing results in 24 hours on routine database queries, as field investigation takes time. It is not the right choice for high-volume, low-cost screening via API integration; those needs are better served by larger automated platforms. It is also not suited for clients outside Maryland or those seeking national-scope investigations requiring multi-state coordination, though Sixgen can contract with partner firms for such work.

What the First Engagement Involves

Initial contact is by phone or email to describe your matter. An investigator or manager will ask clarifying questions: the purpose of the investigation, scope (background only, or asset and surveillance), timeline, and budget. If Sixgen accepts the matter, you provide the names, dates of birth, and last known addresses of subjects, relevant case documents if litigation-related, and authorization forms (required by Maryland law before conducting background checks). The firm then provides a written engagement letter with scope, fee estimate, and timeline. Turnaround for standard employment backgrounds is typically 5 to 10 business days; complex matters may take 3 to 4 weeks.

Reports are delivered in writing, reviewed for client questions, and stored securely. Sixgen handles records retrieval, interview notes, and findings but does not retain raw databases or third-party records unless part of a retainer arrangement.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Sixgen operates during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office is accessible by appointment for consultations. All inquiries and correspondence should be initiated by phone or email; drop-in visits are not typical. Parking depends on the specific office location; confirm when scheduling. Field investigators work as needed for interviews and surveillance, often outside standard hours.

Sixgen earns its place in Baltimore's professional services landscape by offering investigative rigor and local accountability to employers and attorneys who cannot rely on commoditized screening or distant operators.