Business Details
34 Years
experience
Professional Investigative Services in Rochester, MN
Crescent Investigative Services has been a trusted provider of professional investigative solutions since 1992, serving attorneys, law enforcement agencies, businesses, municipalities, and insurance entities across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and nationwide. Our team comprises law enforcement-trained investigators with decades of combined experience, including former FBI agents, state troopers, and certified digital forensic examiners. We specialize in litigation support, digital forensics, background investigations, and asset searches, delivering precise, legally compliant results tailored to each client's needs. Our proximity to the Mayo Clinic enhances our ability to support complex cases requiring technical expertise. With over 5,000 completed cases, we maintain a commitment to discretion, impartiality, and professionalism in every investigation.Our services include crash reconstruction, HR conduct investigations, and security training, ensuring clients receive actionable intelligence grounded in thorough, ethical practices. We operate with a team of military veterans and former law enforcement officers, providing executive protection and counter-surveillance services. Our digital forensics division utilizes advanced tools like Magnet and Cellebrite to recover critical data from diverse platforms. We adhere to strict legal standards in process serving and evidence preservation, supporting clients through civil, criminal, and insurance-related matters. This depth of experience and multifaceted expertise positions us as a leader in investigative services across the Midwest.
Services
Digital Forensics
Background Investigations
Litigation Support
Asset Searches
Security Training
Crash Reconstruction
HR Investigations
Process Serving
Evidence Audits
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- Our team includes former FBI agents, state troopers, and certified digital forensic examiners.
- We have completed over 5,000 investigations since 1992.
- Services adhere to strict legal standards for court admissibility.
- Digital forensics division certified in Magnet, Cellebrite, and FTK tools.
- Proximity to Mayo Clinic enables specialized support for complex medical-legal cases.
What people say
Discreet and thorough
Expertise in digital forensics
Reliable asset recovery
Professional HR investigations
Timely litigation support
Services
Digital Forensics
Our digital forensics team locates and preserves data across computers, cellular devices, and cloud storage for legal and insurance cases. Using tools like Magnet and Cellebrite, we ensure evidence integrity. Certified examiners recover critical information to support criminal defense, civil litigation, and corporate investigations.
Background Investigations
We conduct thorough background checks tailored to client needs, including criminal history, employment verification, and credential validation. Our investigations exceed basic online checks, providing actionable insights for HR decisions and security clearances.
Litigation Support Services
During discovery phases, we gather facts through witness interviews, document analysis, and evidence collection. Our seasoned team assists attorneys with case strategy by providing sworn affidavits and detailed reports for civil and criminal cases.
Asset Searches
We locate hidden assets for insurance companies and law firms, creating comprehensive financial profiles. Our methods include public record analysis and interviews to support debt collection, divorce proceedings, and fraud investigations.
HR & Employee Conduct Investigations
We resolve internal conflicts by conducting impartial investigations into harassment, policy violations, and misconduct. Our process ensures compliance with labor laws while protecting organizational integrity and employee rights.
People
Dean Mikel
Founder
Founded Crescent Investigations in 1992 after serving as a U.S. State Department Special Agent. With over 30 years of investigative experience, he has handled 5,000+ private cases for law firms and government agencies.
Brian Bartholmey
Investigator
Retired FBI Special Agent with 29 years of experience investigating bank robbery, drug trafficking, and terrorism. Recognized as a top investigator in Southern Minnesota for complex criminal cases.
Mark Dungy
Digital Forensics
Sergeant with Winona County Sheriff's Office, certified digital forensic examiner with expertise in homicide and sex crime investigations. Proficient in Magnet, Cellebrite, and FTK software for data recovery.
Bill Sires
Owner
Former Minnesota State Patrol Trooper and Chief Deputy Sheriff with 20 years at Crescent Investigations. Specializes in civil litigation support and executive protection services for corporate clients.
Dwight Duncan
Insurance Investigator
Certified Fire and Vehicle Investigator (CFEFI, CVFI) with expertise in origin and cause analysis. Former insurance claim investigator specializing in fraud detection and subrogation cases.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We operate from Rochester, MN, covering the Twin Cities, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and accept nationwide cases requiring specialized investigative support.
Do you handle insurance-related investigations?
Yes, we specialize in subrogation, workers' compensation, origin and cause analysis, and fraud detection for insurance companies.
Are your investigators law enforcement trained?
All investigators have law enforcement backgrounds, including former FBI agents, state troopers, and certified digital forensic examiners.
Can you assist with digital evidence recovery?
Our certified digital forensics team uses advanced tools to recover data from computers, phones, and cloud storage for legal proceedings.
Do you offer security training programs?
Yes, we provide on-site security audits, active shooter training, and de-escalation techniques tailored to corporate and law enforcement needs.
Reviews (1)
Bill Weiss
Feb 06, 2026
Report
Very professional group to work with. All the employees have extensive law enforcement backgrounds.