Private Investigator

Private detectives or investigators collect information. They conduct surveillance and perform searches to collect information. They also make phone calls and interview people. Private detectives conduct investigations for attorneys, businesses, and anyone in need of personal, legal, or financial help. Private detectives conduct background checks, pre-employment verification, and investigate individuals suspected of infidelity. Private detectives are often hired to investigate child protection and custody cases, personal injury cases, and insurance fraud allegations.

Most private detectives are trained to conduct physical surveillance. They may wait in a vehicle and use binoculars, cameras, and cell phones to collect data. They can also use computers to locate information about criminal records, civil judgments, and motor vehicle registrations.

Clients determine what detectives investigate. In some cases, such as a fraudulent insurance claim investigation, retrieving the information could take a long time. Once the detective has completed the investigation, he or she would provide the client with the findings.

Private detectives can specialize. Investigators tracking down unaccounted for money would go through documents and conduct interviews. Those specializing in intellectual property theft would conduct research on piracy laws. Investigators working with attorneys would conduct surveillance and interviews, and locate witnesses.

Corporate investigators work for corporations to conduct internal and external investigations. External investigations investigate crimes committed outside the organization such as theft. Internal investigations involve problems within the organization such as employee drug use.

Financial investigators, usually CPAs, work with investment banks or accountants to discover assets hidden by other firms that might be owed to the investigator’s client, following a court order.

Store detectives, also known as loss prevention agents, supervise stores to monitor theft. If someone is caught stealing, a store detective would apprehend the thief. They monitor employees and customers, occasionally inspecting dressing rooms, stock areas, and restrooms. Store detectives also prepare reports when theft is discovered and testify at trials. Hotel detectives monitor hotels to ensure guest safety and prevent individuals posing a risk to guests from entering the hotel.

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