Introduction to Private Investigation is designed to provide the essential knowledge and procedures needed to operate successfully as a private investigator. It is both an instructional textbook for those individuals desiring a career as a private investigator, and a resource manual that can be an invaluable tool for later reference. The approach is a direct, concise style, which facilitates comprehension by novices as well as experienced private investigators, and makes possible competent and professional performance of all types of private investigation. The purpose for writing this book is to fill the existing need within the field for a precise comprehensive text detailing the development of skills necessary for professional investigative work. In addition, there is a lack of recent, up-to-date textbooks currently available to individuals wishing to learn about private investigation. Introduction to Private Investigation will help fill this void. This easy-to-read textbook for investigators is filled with practical information and stories that will provide extremely valuable training. One unique attribute of the book is its commitment to the practice of private investigation in the private business sector as well as the public sector. Another notable quality is its concern with both the portrayal of private investigation as a legitimate professional discipline and the subsequent degradation of the popular, media propagated misconceptions of private investigators. Two new chapters have been added in this second edition, "Criminal Defense Investigation" and "Bioethics, Investigation, and the Occult," due to a complete lack of material for each subject pertaining to Professional Investigation. It will enable the professional investigator or apprentice to sharpen the skills they use every day. Be it undercover, surveillance, interviewing, case preparation, or courtroom testimony, even the most seasoned veterans understand the need to be on top of their game in order to provide clients with the best possible results. This book will help you accomplish that understanding. It will provide you with the basic skills, knowledge and required tools before you go into battle with the Scales of Justice.

From the Back Cover: Today's private investigator comes from two primary sources: (1) law enforcement agencies and (2) from academic environments. To be successful as a profession, these groups must be melded to a common group of values and objectives. The purpose of this book is to provide the private investigator, regardless of experience, with information that will result in business and personal success. The book is divided into two parts. Part I discusses basic business organization and management subjects applicable to those who desire to be a successful business owner. It covers material for those just starting a business as well as provides information that is of value to those who want to better organize and manage their current business. Part II discusses basic investigative skills applicable to all levels of experiences and areas of personal interest. This information comes from experienced private investigators and takes a step beyond the traditional "school solution." These are the skill sets normally considered as general investigative skills which serve as a foundation for more specialized experiences. The authors of this book are a very unique group of professionals. Each author has a minimum of ten years of investigative experience and many have at least thirty-five years of experience. The majority of the authors have investigative experience with large law enforcement agencies, in military service or at all levels of government. Topics covered include: private investigation as a second career, developing markets and partnerships for profit; professionalism and ethics; financial dispute prevention and resolution; interviews, interpreters, and statements; producing a professional report; conducting investigation in China and in Europe; the complexities of international investigations; investigator liability; foot and vehicle surveillance; effective surveillance techniques; and employing a competent subcontractor.

This book will help the private investigator reevaluate business opportunities and identify goals for the future. The world of the private investigator is constantly changing due to the introduction of various legal requirements that have restricted or eliminated some of the methods available for obtaining information such as the various privacy protection acts. Additionally, most private investigators have restricted their business activities to a response mode; that is, conducting inquiries after an incident has occurred. Their preventive skills have been ignored to their financial detriment. As restrictions continue to be placed on private investigative activities, private investigators need to reevaluate personal skills and discover how these may relate to expanding their services. This book provides the necessary information for learning about these new skill areas and provides the necessary strategies for their implementation. Some of the topics cover crime and loss prevention strategies, risk assessment, and prevention strategies. Many other topics are also covered such as that of the expert witness. This is not a difficult status to attain but requires unique skill sets and experience and can be highly lucrative. Crises management is another skill set that is explored here. It not only identifies potential risk areas through risk assessment activities but includes development and implementation of preventive measures and shows how the private investigator can assist in restoring business operations to their normal levels. This book will be of enormous help to private investigators who wish to develop these sophisticated investigative business skills and preventive services in order to meet these challenges for surviving and thriving in this modern age industry.

Observe someone without being observed. Dig up long-buried dirt. Catch a cheating spouse. The Everything Private Investigation Book shows you the basic research techniques and tricks the pros use. You'll learn how to get background information using a wide range of sources, including newspapers, court records, military files, and even the DMV. Written by experienced investigators, this guide helps you to: Use the Internet to get information on anyone and anything Conduct background checks for prospective employees or tenants Uncover hidden identities and assets Manage a physical or electronic surveillance Protect privacy and avoid identity theft Whether you're a journalist, an amateur genealogist, a business owner, a landlord, or just curious, you'll find essential information in this guide. In addition to being a valuable resource, The Everything Private Investigation Book is also a fascinating read. Even "armchair detectives" will enjoy reading about famous real-life and fictional PIs and the little-known secrets professionals use to crack the case. Sheila L. Stephens was the first female Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) special agent in the state of Alabama and one of the first in the nation. She recently graduated from Boston University with a master's degree in criminal justice. After leaving the ATF due to injury, Ms. Stephens opened a private investigation/security business. She is a criminal justice professor at Andrew Jackson University and a contributing writer and associate editor of The Agent, the newsletter of the National Association of Federal Agents (NAFA). Ms. Stephens lives in Bessemer, AL.

While popular movies and novels romanticize the role of private investigators, the reality is quite different. It takes intense training, skill, and dedication to become a detective and the journey is far from easy. Fortunately, professional private investigator Philip Becnel offers his expertise to help you navigate this career in Private Investigator Entry Level (02E) Drawn from Becnel s experience working as a private investigator and college instructor, this informative textbook offers an excellent balance of both theory and practice, and raises the bar on the quality of all private investigation instruction. Divided into informative, easy-to-understand sections, Becnel discusses important topics such as: Types of investigators Ethics and professionalism General investigative skills Documents and laws exclusive to the investigating profession Categories of investigations And much more Written specifically as an instructional tool for the entry course required of all private investigators in the state of Virginia, this essential handbook nevertheless is a perfect textbook for beginners in any state and a reference manual for more seasoned investigators anywhere. Both entertaining and educational, this guide is a must for anyone interested in delving into the world of private investigating.

The third edition of this popular volume continues to supply an up-to-date, nuts-and-bolts learning tool for students and an everyday reference for investigative professionals at all levels. More relevant than ever, this edition adds two new chapters on death and terrorism investigations and several new sections, including insurance fraud, fire and arson investigation; indicators of online marital infidelity; obtaining governmental reports; service of subpoenas for witnesses in federal courts; the Rules of Professional Conduct; niche markets in the investigative industry; and managing and marketing an investigative practice.

Since the publication of the first edition of this volume, many new certification programs have begun in private and community colleges, including a course designed by the author for Boston University and a specialty certification by the U.S. Association for Professional Investigators. Reflecting the surge in interest into the investigative fi