Private detectives provide private investigative services to collect
information. Private detectives analyze information to solve mysteries and
uncover facts. Private detectives offer protection services, pre-employment screening,
and investigate peoples' backgrounds. Some investigate identity theft, cyber
harassment, and copyright violations. They assist during criminal and civil
cases, insurance fraud, missing persons investigations, and child protection
and custody disputes. They are often hired by people to investigate whether
their spouses have committed infidelity. Private detectives utilize many
investigative methods. They generally use computers to find documents, locate
deleted emails, and conduct database searches. Investigators utilize computers
to find information about criminal records, telephone numbers, court judgments,
and motor vehicle registration.
Detectives also conduct surveillance. Investigators make phone calls to
verify, for example, someone's income or location of employment. While
conducting missing persons or background checks, detectives conduct interviews
to collect information. Sometimes investigators conduct undercover work to
monitor people without being identified.
Most private detective Agency understand how to conduct physical surveillance
while some specialize in using technology for surveillance. Sometimes private
detectives conduct surveillance from a car or a location where they will not be
noticed. Using video cameras, mobile phones, and binoculars private detectives
conduct time consuming surveillance.
The duties of private detectives are dependent on clients' requests. For
example, if a private detective were investigating workers' compensation fraud,
he or she might monitor the person suspecting of committing fraud to determine
whether it is being committed. If the person is defrauding workers'
compensation, the investigator would document it by taking pictures and report
the person to authorities.
Detectives must obey all laws while conducting investigations. They must
stay updated about privacy laws, as well as other federal and state laws
affecting their work. Often private detectives must make judgment calls when
the legality of certain surveillance methods is unclear. They must collect
evidence legally, so it will be admissible in court.
Many private detectives become specialists. For example, those
specialising in intellectual property theft investigate piracy and provide information
to be used in law suits. Other investigators specialise in finance, usually
assigned to search for missing financial assets. They collect information
through interviews, surveillance, research, and the examination of public
documents.
The following are private investigative specialists:
- Computer forensic
investigators retrieve and examine deleted data from computers often used
while conducting fraud investigations. They determine how computer
networks become compromised, retrieve encrypted and deleted data, and
retrieve deleted emails and passwords.
- Legal investigators assist
attorneys preparing for litigation, find witnesses, interview law
enforcement personnel, collect and analyse important evidence, and serve
court documents. Legal investigators are frequently asked to gather
information about parties participating in litigation, assemble evidence
and write reports used in court, take pictures, and testify on the stand.
Many lawyers and law firms staff their offices with legal investigators.
- Corporate investigators
conduct internal and external investigations for the companies employing
them. Detectives conducting external investigations typically investigate
theft and other crimes perpetuated by people outside the organisation.
Those conducting internal investigations investigate employee embezzling,
drug use, and other employee infractions.
- Financial investigators,
typically licensed CPAs, are consulted by accounting firms or investment
banks to locate hidden assets owed to them, typically after a court order
has been issued.
- Loss prevention agents,
often referred to as store detectives, patrol stores and monitor shoppers
from electronic surveillance centres. Shoplifters are often detained by
store detectives. They also monitor employees and inspect stock rooms for
signs of theft. Store detectives write reports after shoplifters are
caught and testify at court. Hotel detectives protect hotel guests and
prevent suspicious people from loitering at the hotel.
Work Environment
Some private detectives spend all day in their office doing computer
work and making phone calls, but many detectives spend time out of the office
interviewing people and conducting surveillance. When investigators are
conducting investigations, they may spend their time in fancy corporate offices
or rundown bars. Store and hotel detectives spend their days at the businesses
they provide security for.
Investigators usually work alone, but sometimes while conducting
surveillance or when trying to avoid being identified, they work in groups.
Since detectives often confront people, their jobs can be dangerous and
stressful. When investigators have bodyguard responsibilities they often carry
firearms.
Investigators who run their own agencies must often deal with demanding
and upset clients.
Since private detectives conduct surveillance and contact people not
available during normal business hours, they often work nights, early mornings,
and weekends.
Education and Training
Private Detectives are typically not required to complete formal
training, but many hold graduate degrees. Investigators who specialise
typically hold bachelor's degrees and complete specialised training. Aspiring
investigators should take classes in criminal justice and police science while
in college to improve promotion opportunities. Even though relevant prior work
experience is usually required, some private detectives begin their careers
after earning a college degree, typically in police science or criminal
justice. Companies and individuals that hire private investigators often prefer
hiring investigators with law enforcement experience.
Corporate detective are typically required to hold a bachelor's degree,
usually in finance, accounting, business, or a related field. Many corporate
investigators hold graduate degrees in accounting, law, finance, or business
administration.
Aspiring computer forensics detectives should obtain accounting or
computer science degrees instead of a criminal justice degree. In fact,
studying accounting provides a solid background for investigating computer
crimes. After earning a degree, aspiring computer forensics detectives can
obtain specialised training or complete on-the-job training. Many vocational
schools, universities, and colleges now administer professional certification
programs in computer forensics, typically ranging between 15-21 credit hours.
Current investigators and aspiring police officers and paralegals can benefit
from these certification programs. Some schools now administer undergraduate
and graduate degree programs in computer forensics. Computer forensic
investigators and other investigators typically develop their skills while
working as computer forensic analysts or police officers. People often work in
law enforcement to develop specialised investigative skills and build good
reputations before starting a private detective practice or working for a
private detective agency.
