Private Investigator Industry Overview

Private Investigators (PI), private detectives, or private eyes undertake investigations, usually for a private citizen, or some individual not associated with a government or police organization. Private investigators and detectives offer a variety of services to include corporate, executive, and celebrity protection; pre-employment verification; and individual background profiles. Computer crimes are increasing, so investigations are now taking place for identity theft, harassing e-mails, and illegal downloading of copyrighted material. PI's also aid in civil liability and personal injury cases, insurance claims and fraud, missing persons cases, child custody and protection cases, and premarital screening.Most investigators and detectives are trained to perform physical surveillance.They may be required to observe a site, such as the home of a suspect, from a vehicle, or inconspicuous location.The surveillance is often carried out using still and video cameras, cell phones and binoculars, until the desired evidence is complete and properly obtained.Exact duties are dependent on the needs of their clients and vary from case to case.

Industry Specializations

Legal Investigators specialize in cases involving the courts and are usually employed by lawyers, or law firms.They typically assist in locating witnesses, interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence and preparing criminal defenses.Legal investigators may also testify in court for trials in which they have been involved.Corporate investigators conduct both external and internal corporate investigations.Internally, they may investigate the use of drugs within the workplace, determine whether or not employees are stealing information, or merchandise, and monitor expense account usage.External investigations are performed to uncover fraudulent billing by suppliers, or the theft of company assets.Store detectives, or loss prevention agents, safeguard the assets of retail outlets by apprehending anyone who attempts to steal merchandise.They are responsible for preventing theft by shoplifters, delivery personnel, vendor representatives, or employees.Management may periodically require loss prevention reports.Hotel investigators protect guests of the hotel from theft and preserve order in the hotel, bars and restaurants.

Required Training and Qualifications

For the most part, private detectives and investigator jobs do not require any formal education, although a number of PI's do have college degrees.Training mainly takes place on the job and through hands on experiences, although a variety of training programs are being offered at community colleges and vocational schools.Courses are usually comprised of investigation, reporting and surveillance techniques and cover ethnic and professional responsibilities.Training in the latest investigative techniques including computer online strategies is usually stressed.It is common for PI's to learn some sort of self-defense technique, but it is not required and hopefully not utilized.Private Investigator licensing may be required depending on where one lives, it is currently controlled by each state.Forty-two states and the District of Columbia have licensing requirements for private investigators.The reasoning behind the licensure requirements is to regulate the industry and keep unqualified detectives out of the profession.

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