| Before the forensic scientist was all over TV | | | | specific areas. Some of those include:o Intellectual |
| (CSI, anyone?), the criminal justice stars of the | | | | Property Theft. These investigators track pirates |
| day were nearly all Private Detectives. From the | | | | and assist clients in stopping the illegal activities. |
| Rockford Files to Moonlighting to Magnum, P.I., | | | | The may also provide evidence in court |
| there were almost more private detectives on | | | | proceedings.o Financial and Estate Affairs. These |
| television than there were in the field. While being | | | | investigators conduct research and interviews to |
| a private detective may not be in the spotlight | | | | determine assets and resources.o Legal |
| today, it is still a thriving field. | | | | Investigators. These detectives typically work |
| Job Description | | | | with court cases and are hired by attorneys and |
| So, what does a private detective do? Well, | | | | law firms. They assist in preparing defense cases |
| obviously, they investigate. Investigators and | | | | and may also prepare documents for court.o |
| private detectives discover facts by employing a | | | | Corporate Investigators. These investigators are |
| number of different investigation techniques. | | | | hired to examine internal and external situations |
| Different types of surveillance and search | | | | that may affect a corporation. They may also |
| techniques are used to conduct these | | | | look for evidence of on-site drug use, theft, or |
| investigations; investigators may place phone calls | | | | false billing by suppliers.o Financial Investigators. |
| or visit places of employment to verify facts | | | | When large sums of money are involved with |
| about someone's work or income. They also may | | | | corporate transactions, financial investigators |
| conduct interviews in order to generate as much | | | | examine the backgrounds of everyone involved.o |
| background information on someone as possible, | | | | Store Detectives. These detectives are hired to |
| especially when conducting background checks or | | | | protect retail organizations from theft and |
| searching for missing persons. | | | | shoplifting-both from customers and employees. |
| Clients | | | | Education & Training |
| So who hires private investigators? Individuals, | | | | So, what kind of training or education do you |
| lawyers, and businesses all receive assistance | | | | need to become a private detective? A college |
| from private investigators and detectives | | | | education is a requirement for prospective |
| regarding a number of money, law, and personal | | | | detectives, especially in courses related to law |
| related issues. Additionally, private investigators | | | | enforcement or criminal justice. While there is no |
| may provide personal protection services for | | | | required training to become a private investigator, |
| celebrities, businesses, and corporate executives. | | | | you do need a license in most states. |
| They may also aid in background checks, fact | | | | According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there |
| verification for employment, investigations | | | | is a great deal of job growth in this field |
| concerning injury lawsuits and liability, child support | | | | expected, particularly as many private detectives |
| and custody battles, fraudulent insurance claims | | | | reach retirement age. The salary isn't too bad |
| investigations, and a variety of other situations. | | | | either-most private investigators earn start |
| An increasing number are being hired to | | | | earning around $30,000 a year, with those with |
| investigate a spouse or partner's fidelity. In short, | | | | experience earning as much as $57,000. If you |
| private investigators are in high demand. | | | | find the idea of investigation exciting, consider a |
| Specialization | | | | degree in criminal justice today! |
| Many private investigators choose to specialize in | | | | |