Many people are curious how private investigators (PIs) get into the profession and assume most were former cops (and they’re right-a majority of PIs are former law enforcement officers). Realistically speaking, most PIs enter the profession by either interning for an established private investigative agency or by having held an investigative position within the military or law enforcement. Most being a key word. There are various specialized skills within the investigative business that don’t require such backgrounds (some PIs were former certified public accountants [CPAs] and specialize in financial investigations, some might have backgrounds training dogs and specialize as pet detectives, some were paralegals and specialize in legal investigations, etc.).

But whatever a person’s background, the common traits found in all good PIs are curiosity, creativity, and perseverance. A strong sense of justice certainly helps, but sometimes the best that can be hoped for is that the legal process is conducted fairly.

That said, below are five tips to consider if you’re pursuing the idea of being a private investigator:

Tip #1: Research investigative specialties and decide which ones you want specialize in. For example, PIs specialize in many different areas such as accident investigation, asset search/recovery, civil litigation support, criminal defense investigations, locating missing persons, loss prevention, skiptracing, tenant screening, and many more. One way to learn about the various investigative specialties is to research PIs’ websites–for example, in your browser, type private investigator or the field you’re interested in, such as loss prevention. On their site, a PI will typically explain his/her background, a definition of the services they offer, prices, etc.

Tip #2: Attend a PI conference. Most professional PI organizations sponsor conferences that are open to the public. Here you can network with other PIs, attend seminars, test equipment, buy manuals, and more. PI Magazine, for example, always lists upcoming conferences–buy a copy and check out one near you.

Tip #3: Read books on investigations. There are hundreds of books on topics, from background investigations to identity theft to personal injury investigations. One resource for investigative books is PIstore.com: http://www.pistore.com/

Tip #4: Take an investigative course. Most states have professional PI organizations that offer courses, which are often open to the public. If they don’t offer educational classes, contact a member and ask what courses he/she might recommend. To look up your state’s PI organization, and its licensing requirements, go to http://www.crimetime.com/licensing.htm

Tip #5. Polish your speaking and writing skills. As a PI, you’ll be in contact with many people, from presenting your investigative skills to potential employers to interviewing witnesses. The better you present yourself verbally, the better your business successes. You’ll also be writing a lot of reports, so the better your grammar, punctuation, and writing style, the better your business successes.

The above tips will help you hone and polish your skills toward being not just a private investigator, but a professional private investigator.

Colleen Collins is a professional private investigator and multi-published author. She and her business partner run Highlands Investigations & Legal Services, Inc., based in Colorado, which specializes in asset/background checks, criminal/civil investigations, domestic relations, financial fraud, personal injury, skiptracing, and surveillance. To read more about their services, go to http://www.highlandsinvestigations.com

What Private Eyes Do

Private detectives are hired by organizations, individuals and lawyers to find financial, legal or personal information. PIs can also be hired to do the following: • Provide protection to prominent people • Verify background information before someone is employed • Verify an individual’s background • Investigate internet crime related to identity theft, harassment, illegal downloads • Assist in criminal and civil cases • Help with fraudulent insurance claims • Find missing persons • Help with premarital screening

There are many more situations where private investigators are used. The methods used by them to resolve cases vary. These days most of the investigation is handled with the help of computers and the Internet particular because of the vast databases. In criminal cases, computers enable private investigators to get information about a person’s criminal record, arrest record, convictions, decrees, vehicle registration numbers, phone numbers, and details of membership with clubs and associations as well as photographs.

PIs are trained for physical surveillance also. Often they need to be on the go, verifying details like an individual’s income, doing background checks, going undercover or in disguise in order to obtain sensitive information.

PIs often use a variety of equipment that can range from still and video cameras, binoculars, sophisticated cell phones, surveillance equipment, etc. depending on what the client requires. If they are investigating frauds at a workplace related to compensation claims, it may necessitate long term observation to collect visual evidence of the individual’s activities.

While going about their work one thing that private investigators must be conscious about is not to violate the law. There are federal, state and local laws to be mindful of. The legality of investigating methods used can differ from state to state. PIs need to also ensure that the evidence they collect is admissible in a court of law.

What Can PIs Specialize In?

PIs can focus on a particular kind of work and specialize in it. Some prefer to work on cases related to intellectual property theft where they investigate piracy and help clients prevent illegal activity and prosecute.

Some PIs work on financial profiles, collecting information by conducting interviews, research, and other investigations. There are also investigators who are experts at recovery and analysis of data so that it can be used in investigations. They track hackers and have the ability to recover data, lost emails, deleted or lost passwords.

Legal private investigators prepare defenses for criminal cases. They serve legal papers, find witnesses and take care of interviewing the police, and finding the necessary information. Legal PIs usually deal with attorneys. Some private detectives are attached to corporate organizations. They carry out investigations within and outside the organization. Inside the organization they may investigate substance abuse, frauds with accountancy, and ensure that there is no pilferage within the organization.

When organizations are planning to enter into major financial contracts, they use private investigators to do a financial profile of the parties concerned. Often these PIs work with certified public accountants, investment bankers, etc.

Then there are bounty hunters who help capture fugitives for money. Bounty hunters are also called bail agents, bail enforcement agents or fugitive recovery agents. They usually work for bail bonding companies, ensuring that fugitives appear in the court at the appointed time.

Apart from research on the internet, data mining and legal research, there are also store detectives or loss prevention agents who protect the store, preventing thefts.

There are many PI magazines that feature articles about different kinds of private investigators. There are also several blogs and portals written by experienced qualified detectives. These provide information about PIs, training and other qualifications required to become a private detective, along with the current trends in the industry.

Education Requirements

A private investigator license in required in most US states, although there are no specific formal education requirements in most of the states do. Many aspiring detectives usually look for part time assignments with established private detective agencies. There are professional organizations that offer certification and on-going training for practicing investigators.

Being a private investigator offers a career that has a high level of diversity because of the various situations in which PIs operate. With rapid development in technology, today PI business is one of the fastest growing industries with tough competition and plenty of scope for career advancement. Many PI magazines offer tips on how to get into the industry, online courses to get started, etc.

Professional continuing education for private investigators is required in a dozen state in order to maintain state licensing.  Some of the states that require CE currently include Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Iowa, Oregon, New Mexico, Virginia, Minnesota, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Kansas and Kentucky.

Use Of PI Software

Even though private investigation involves physical surveillance and other related activities, quite a lot of PIs have online businesses and use private investigation software for online investigations. With heavy reliance on computers to access data, it is no surprise that there is a variety of software to help PIs. Some of these are background investigation software that enables background checks, computer monitoring software, and software to help with online search and case management tools. Case management tools help PIs manage their information, generate reports and billing. The use of PI software depends on the local law allowing its use.

Thus, for those looking to become private investigators, there is some basic research to be done in order to understand how the professionals in this industry work. It is also important to be aware of the governing state laws to ensure eligibility.