The World of Private Investigation

For anyone interested in the law enforcement field, or who has always dreamed of being a “gumshoe” detective, the private investigation industry is alive and thriving. We've all seen the old detective movies of Hollywood's golden age heyday, and sat cheerily through the television exploits of private investigators like Magnum, P.I. and Columbo. The real world of private investigation, however, bears little resemblance to the often glib and campy experiences presented on film.

In real life, the world of private investigation encompasses everything from pretrial preparation to corporate protection. Private investigators help a wide variety of individuals, attorneys, businesses, and others in the gathering and analysis of facts of a personal, financial, and legal nature. Some private investigators assist in background checks by potential employers; others investigate computer crime and insurance issues. Some even work in the field of child custodial services. And, of course, we have all heard of the private investigators that discretely follow and photograph someone's spouse in an attempt to verify their fidelity.

The methods available to those in the private investigation business are less glamorous than most of us have been led to believe. Few engage in the types of illicit break-ins that you see on television, and fewer still would resort to the threat of violence to procure information. Rather, modern private investigators do much of their work from their computer, and by making phone calls and physically interviewing people who may have the information they need. In some cases, private investigators will pose as someone else to gain the trust of an individual who they feel has information of relevance. Private investigators also use surveillance – both high-tech surveillance using cameras, and direct observation (the so-called “stake-out”).

Though there are no formal requirements for a person to be a private investigator, there have been surveys conducted to determine such things as the general levels of education for those who practice in this industry. In the field of private investigation, almost 20 percent have graduated from high school, with more than 25 percent more having attended college without obtaining a degree. A healthy majority have earned an associate's degree or better. Educational experience usually includes a criminal justice degree of some sort, though some have also had experience in the insurance, legal, or medical fields.

Nearly all states require some level of licensing or regulation for the private investigation industry, though the level of regulation varies wildly from state to state. A number of states have no licensing at all, while others require extensive background checks and even have testing requirements. Beyond that, any private investigator who intends to carry a firearm must meet all of the pertinent legal requirements to bear arms (convicted felons need not apply), and participate in any firearms training required by the laws of the state in which he or she intends to work. For anyone who meets the requirements – and who has a desire to help people in need – the private investigation industry is one area of the economy where job growth seems certain to maintain pace for some time to come.

Voting Question: Private Investigation? (Answers: 1) (Comments: 0)

What do I need to become a private investigator in the state of Pa? I am now working on an associates degree in criminal justice.

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Voting Question: Private investigation? (Answers: 1) (Comments: 0)

I want to do my own PI on finding my son's absent father. Child support in my state is not helping me the way I want them to help because he lives out-of -state. How do I go ahead with that?

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How to start a home based Private investigation/skip tracing business? (Answers: 1) (Comments: 0)

I am writing to find out how to start a small home based private investigation/skip tracing service. Is there special equipment or software needed. I am aware of the basics like a PC and PHONE LINE, but if anyone is aware of any software that would be great. Also how and where would I market?

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