What Is the Definition of a Private Investigator?
By Simon Breedon, eHow Contributing Writer
Private investigators have been broadly characterized by popular culture to be everything from paparazzi to superheroes, though the reality lies somewhere in between. Here is a rundown of the daily responsibilities of a private investigator and a look at the profession's evolution.
Identification
Function
Private Investigators are often hired by insurance companies to double-check shady claims and by attorneys handling civil cases. They often deliver subpoenas, summonses or other legal documents. Their responsibilities also can include detective work, bodyguard detail, surveillance and working odd hours in a wide range of environments, from upscale and white-collar to seedy and dangerous.
Qualifications
There are no formal educational requirements for private investigators to work in the United States, though they must be at least 18 years old. Nonetheless, many have college degrees, a background in criminal investigations and familiarity with law. It is common for retired police officers, former military men and former government agents to become private investigators.
A small number of states do not require a license to start a private investigation practice, and most states don't allow convicted felons to become licensed. However, those who want to carry a gun will, in most states, have to acquire a separate license for that right.
Australia:
Eligibility
To be eligible for a private investigator licence, you must:
- be 18 years or older
- have no recorded conviction of a disqualifying offence within the previous 10 years, or an unrecorded finding of guilt of a disqualifying offence in the previous five years
- not be considered a risk to public safety
- have successfully completed a Certificate III in Investigative Service.
Training requirements for a new licence
To qualify for an unrestricted private investigator licence, you must successfully complete the following units of competency from the National Asset Security Training Package.
- PRSIS302A or CPPSEC3028A Compile investigative report
- PRSIS303A or CPPSEC3029A Provide quality investigative services to clients
- PRSIS304A or CPPSEC3030A Conduct surveillance
- PRSIS305A or CPPSEC3031A Organise and operate a surveillance vehicle
- PRSIS306A or CPPSEC3032A Gather information by factual investigation
- PRSIS307A or CPPSEC3033A Conduct interviews and take statements
- PRSIS308A or CPPSEC3034A Operate information gathering equipment
- PRSSO311A or CPPSEC3009A Prepare and present evidence in court
- PRSSO315A or CPPSEC3012A Store and protect information
- PRSIS309A Perform administrative functions (For PRS30303 only)
- FNSMERC304A Locate subjects (For CPP30607 only)
- PRSIS310A Use and maintain operational equipment or CPPSEC3034A Operate information gathering equipment
- PRSIS301A Determine method of investigation or CPPSEC3027A Develop investigative plan
- PRSSO306A Manage effective workplace relationships or BSBFLM303B Contribute to effective workplace relationships or BSBFLM303C Contribute to effective workplace relationships
- PRSSO307A Manage own performance and development or BSBCMN302A Organise personal work priorities and development or BSBWOR301A Organise personal work priorities and development
- PRSSO302A Maintain a safe workplace and environment or CPPSEC3001A Maintain workplace safety in the security industry
- PRSIS311A Work effectively in the investigative services industry or CPPSEC3026A Work effectively in investigative services
If you have relevant work experience, your skills may be formally recognised, meaning you may not have to complete all of the training units. Skilling Solutions Queensland can do a free skill assessment for you.
History
The first private detective agency was established in 1833 by Frenchman Eugene Francois Vidocq, a reformed criminal who later became director of the French civil police force. In the U.S., Pinkerton National Detective Agency opened its doors in 1850, gaining national recognition when it uncovered an assassination attempt on the life of President-Elect Abraham Lincoln.
The term "private eye" comes from the Pinkerton slogan "We Never Sleep." After using reckless and illegal tactics that resulted in the deaths of many Pinkerton men and civilians, the U.S. federal government passed the Anti-Pinkerton Act of 1893, which to this day prevents the U.S. Government from hiring Pinkerton agents or private investigators from similar organizations.
Benefits
Ultimately, hiring a private investigator is a good investment for business and individuals who want to screen potential employees, track down debtors or prove infidelity by a spouse. Private investigators know all the databases available to locate people and the fastest ways to prove who's doing what. You can save a lot of money by hiring a private investigator not only in business but in your personal life too. Private investigators also assist real estate agents in tracking down ex tenants, vandals and previous home owners.
How to Decide Whether to Hire a Private Investigator
Deciding whether to hire a private investigator is not always easy. Private investigators provide a valuable service, but they can be very expensive. Follow the steps in this article to help you decide whether to hire a private investigator or launch an investigation on your own.
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Step 1
Consider your own safety first. If you hire a private investigator, you will be paying someone who has a lot of experience investigating suspicious and dangerous people. If the person that you want to investigate could be considered dangerous, you should definitely leave the job to a professional. Hire a private investigator who will feel comfortable investigating and following dangerous people.
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Step 2
Decide whether you want to spend your time or spend your money to get the information you need. If you hire a private investigator, it will cost you money; however, this fee may be worth it to you if your life is too busy to launch an investigation of your own. On the other hand, launching your own investigation will inevitably take up a lot of your time, but if you can spare the time and you are strapped for cash, it might not be worth hiring a private investigator.
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Step 3
Consider whether you could find the information that you seek online before you hire a private investigator. There are great free websites such as pipl.com and criminalsearches.com that can offer you a wealth of information about almost every person in the world. I've included links to a few more online tools in the "resources" section below. It is worth seeing what information you can find online before making your final decision on whether or not to hire a private investigator.
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Step 4
Finding the right one can be hard. Look at the investigators website and see if they offer a service that is close to what you need, most investigators will do just about any job however you need to make sure they are qualified to do so. Don't be too scared to call a private investigator, they are used to people calling and starting the conversation with "I have never done this before and I don't know what I need". If your calling a private investigator you probably need some surveillance done to track someones movements. Just tell the investigator what your problem is and ask them if they can help.
Last Updated (Saturday, 19 June 2010 11:40)
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