Private Investigator and Detective Training School

Serious Training for Serious Professionals

About Private Investigator and Detective Training School

Dedicated exclusively to the training of private investigators and detectives, Private Investigator and Detective Training School offers courses to those who are looking to become a private investigator and to those professionals who are already working in the private investigation industry.  At Private Investigator and Detective Training School you can earn your Private Investigation Certificate any way you want to online. , you can complete your training no matter where you live, what hours you work, or how often you travel.

Private Investigation Industry Overview

(Excerpts from the U.S. Dept. of Labor)

Nature of Work

Private detectives and investigators use many means to determine the facts in a variety of matters.  To carry out investigations, they may use various types of surveillance or searches.  To verify facts, such as an individual's place of employment or income, they may make phone calls or visit a subject's workplace.  In other cases, especially those involving missing persons and background checks, investigators often interview people to gather as much information as possible about an individual.  In all cases, private detectives and investigators assist attorneys, businesses, and the public with a variety of legal, financial, and personal problems.

Private detectives and investigators offer many services, including executive, corporate, and celebrity protection; pre-employment verification; and individual background profiles.  They also provide assistance in civil liability and personal injury cases, insurance claims and fraud, child custody and protection cases, and premarital screening.  Increasingly, they are hired to investigate individuals to prove or disprove infidelity.

Most detectives and investigators are trained to perform physical surveillance, often for long periods, in a car or van.  They may observe a site, such as a home of a subject, from an inconspicuous location.  The surveillance continues using still and video cameras, binoculars, and a cell phone, until the desired evidence is obtained.  They also may perform computer database searches, or work with someone who does.  Computers allow detectives and investigators to quickly obtain massive amounts of information on individuals' prior arrests, convictions, and civil legal judgments; telephone numbers; motor vehicle registrations; association and club memberships; and many other matters.

The duties of private detectives and investigators depend on the needs of their client.  In cases for employers involving fraudulent workers' compensation claims, for example, investigators may carry out long-term covert observation of subjects.  If an investigator observes a subject performing and activity that contradicts injuries stated in a workers' compensation claim, the investigator would take video or still pictures to document that activity and report it to the client.

Private detectives and investigators often specialize.  Those who focus on intellectual property theft, for example, investigate and document acts of piracy, help clients stop illegal activity, and provide intelligence for prosecution and civil action.  Other investigators specialize in developing financial profiles and asset searches.  Their reports reflect information gathered through interviews, investigation and surveillance, and research, including review of public record documents.

Legal investigators specialize in cases involving the courts and are normally employed by law firms or lawyers.  They frequently assist in preparing criminal defenses, locating witnesses, serving legal documents, interviewing police and prospective witnesses, and gathering and reviewing evidence.  Legal investigators also may collect information on the parties to the litigation, take photographs, testify in court, and assemble evidence and reports for trials.

Corporate investigators conduct internal and external investigations for corporations and other investigative firms.  In internal investigations, they may investigate drug use in the workplace, ensure that expense accounts are not abused, or determine if employees are stealing merchandise or information.  External investigations typically prevent criminal schemes originating outside the corporation, such as theft of company assets through fraudulent billing of products by suppliers.

Financial investigators may be hired to develop confidential financial profiles of individuals or companies who are prospective parties to large financial transactions.  They often are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and work closely with investment bankers and accountants.  They search for assets in order to recover damages awarded by a court in fraud or theft cases.

Detectives who work for retail stores or hotels are responsible for loss control and asset protection.  Store detectives, also know as, loss prevention agents, safeguard the assets of retail stores by apprehending anyone attempting to steal or destroy store property.  They prevent theft by shoplifters, vendor representatives, delivery personnel, and even store employees.  Store detectives also conduct periodic inspections of stock areas, dressing rooms, and restrooms, and sometimes assist in opening and closing the store.  They may prepare loss prevention and security reports for management and testify in court against persons they apprehend.  Hotel detectives protect guests of the establishment from theft of their belongings and preserve order in hotel restaurants and bars.  They also may keep undesirable individuals, such as known thieves, off the premises.

Working Conditions

Private detectives and investigators often work irregular hours because of the need to conduct surveillance and contact people who are not available during normal working hours.  Early morning, evening, weekend, and holiday work is common.

Many private investigators and detectives spend time away from their offices conducting interviews or doing surveillance, but some work in their office most of the day conducting computer searches and making phone calls.  Those who have their own agencies and employ other investigators may work primarily in an office and have normal working hours.

When working on a case away from the office, the environment might range from plush boardrooms to seedy bars.  Store and hotel detectives work in the business they protect.  Investigators generally work alone, but sometimes with others during surveillance or when following a subject in order to avoid detection by the subject.

Some of the work involves confrontation, so the job can be stressful and dangerous.  Some situations call for the investigator to be armed, such as certain bodyguard assignments for corporate or celebrity clients.  Private investigators and detectives who carry handguns must be licensed by the appropriate authority.  In most cases, however, a weapon is not necessary because the purpose of their work is gathering information and not law enforcement or criminal apprehension.  Owners of investigative agencies have the added stress of having to deal with demanding and sometimes distraught clients.

Employment

Private investigators and detectives held about 39,000 jobs in 2000.  About 2 out of 5 were self-employed.  Approximately a third of salaried private investigators and detectives worked for detective agencies, while another third were employed as store detectives.  The remainder worked for hotels, legal services firms, and in other industries.

Qualifications

For private detective and investigator jobs, most employers look for individuals with ingenuity, persistence and assertiveness.  A candidate must not be afraid of confrontation, should communicate well, and should be able to think on his or her feet.  Good interviewing and people skills are also important.  Because the courts often are the ultimate judge of a properly conducted investigation, the investigator must be able to present the facts in a manner that a jury will believe.

Training is also helpful to aspiring private detectives and investigators.  Corporate investigators hired by large companies may receive formal training from their employers on business practices, management structure, and various finance related topics. 

The screening process for potential private investigator and detective jobs typically includes a background check.

Job Outlook

Employment of private investigators and detectives is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010.  In addition to growth, replacement of those who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons should create additional job openings.  Increased demand for private investigator and detectives will result from fear of crime, increased litigation, and the need to protect information and property of all kinds.  More private investigators will be needed to assist attorneys working on criminal defense and civil litigation.  Growing financial activity worldwide will increase the demand for investigators to control internal and external financial losses, and to monitor competitors and prevent industrial spying.

Private Investigator and Detective Training School Private Investigation Preparatory Program

Want to Become a Private Investigator?  Learn What it Takes.

There is a fundamental ("must have") level of investigative knowledge and skills that successful private investigators possess.  These include knowing the rules and regulations of the industry (including licensing regulations), where and how to obtain information, how to properly gather and document evidence, how to interview people, and how to properly report the results of their work.

We have developed our program to specifically address these vital matters with the rock-solid up-to-date advice and steps necessary to actually become a private investigator.  As a private investigator moves through their career, they may start to specialize, requiring more specific education in those areas -- but you must start somewhere -- and our program is a great way to kick your career into high gear.

• Private Investigator Licensing Requirements
• Types of Private Investigation Work and Services
• Role of the Private Investigator
• Rules and Regulations of Private Investigation
• Private Investigation Ethics
• Criminal Investigations
• Civil Investigations
• Support Investigations
• Trial Support Services
• Special Investigative Services
• Case File Preparation
• Investigation Planning
• First-Hand vs. Second-Hand Knowledge
• Case Management
• Public Records Research
• Interviewing and Interrogation
• Surveillance
• Undercover Operations
• Importance of Information to the Investigator
• Circumstantial vs. Direct Evidence
• Information Documenting Methods
• Types of Information Reporting
• Investigative Report Writing
• Preservation of Evidence
• Starting and Running Your Own Agency
• And Much More…

Becoming a private investigator demands a new type of skill.  Your continued success depends on your ability to get things done with competence and in compliance with the law and the applicable regulations relating to private investigation services.

Here’s the good news: As a new private investigator, you don’t have to learn everything the hard way (by doing it wrong in the first place).

That’s exactly why we designed the Private Investigation Basic Training Program: To provide you with the practical tips, techniques and solutions you need for investigative success without incurring the hard knocks that come from on-the-job learning.

This intensive training focuses on the unique challenges you will face every day as a private investigator and offers solutions to help you fully achieve your potential—not just as a private investigator but as a true professional who commands the respect, commitment and credibility that make things happen.

How to Obtain a Private Investigator's License

Learn what the requirements to get a private investigator license and what local regulatory agencies look for … find out how to get experience … what kind of background you need … and meeting many of the other local jurisdiction requirements

How to Find Information Sources

How to ferret out records, information, and dirty little secrets from public and private sources … how to sidestep the most common pitfalls to getting the facts you need … why information is the lifeblood of the investigator … are there better methods by using the Internet? … and how to “find” the scarce resources

How to Plan an Investigation

What are the steps that any investigation plan should contain … how to save time when conducting an investigative function … pitfalls to avoid in your plan … and the understanding of a proven planning process including 9 steps for defining and planning the investigation from concept to completion

How to Collect and Preserve Evidence

Gain specific techniques for gathering evidence through interviewing, interrogation, surveillance, and physical items … how to establish a chain of custody … learn a 5 point plan for proper documentation procedures … and dealing with court and legal requirements

How to Prepare a Proper Investigative Report

Find out why an investigative report is so important to the investigator … avoid common mistakes that can get you in trouble when writing the report … what to include in a proper report – and what not to include … file memos vs. client reports … utilizing notes and other work product to ensure accuracy … and essentials of a proper report

How to Decide on What Services or Line of Work to Get Into

Learn about the various types of investigative work from … criminal, legal, law firm, and domestic investigators to store detectives, process servers, fraud examiners, repossession agents, bounty hunters, and body guards.

How to Keep Yourself Out of Trouble

Find out what private investigators are--and what they not… know what the role of a private investigator is … be able to define the ethics essential to success

That’s the singular focus of this powerful thirty-hour program: To provide you with practical, real-world training that delivers proven skills for achieving results day in and day out. 

• The essential, “must have” investigation skills you’ will take away from this program have proven themselves time and time again with successful private investigators across the country 
• How to build a solid foundation for approaching the challenges of becoming a private investigator confidently, creatively, and successfully
• How to establish credibility—not only with your clients or manager, but with outside agencies and the public
• How to walk the fine line between getting the information you need and not being truthful
• How to get people to “open up” to you and spill-the-beans
• How to deal with the new challenges facing the private investigation industry
• How to make sure you maintain a professional attitude and demeanor
• How to establish pricing or what salary to go after

Why spend valuable time learning these essential investigation skills by trial and error?  Get the solutions that have proven to work for other private investigators as they approached investigative and business challenges.

Successful private investigators have a passion for their work. A burning desire to see a job well done: a commitment to excellence.  Many private investigators grew up knowing that they could be good investigators, if given the chance.