Private Investigators
Private Detectives
Areas of Practice of Private Investigators and Detectives
Types of Investigations Private Investigators Specialize in
Private detectives and investigators often specialize. Those who focus on intellectual property theft, for example, investigate and document acts of piracy, help clients stop illegal activity, and provide intelligence for prosecution and civil action. Other investigators specialize in developing financial profiles and asset searches. Their reports reflect information gathered through interviews, investigation and surveillance, and research, including review of public documents.
Legal investigators specialize in cases involving the courts and are normally employed by law firms or lawyers. They frequently assist in preparing criminal defenses, locating witnesses, serving legal documents, interviewing police and prospective witnesses, and gathering and reviewing evidence. Legal investigators also may collect information on the parties to the litigation, take photographs, testify in court, and assemble evidence and reports for trials.
Corporate investigators conduct internal and external investigations for corporations. In internal investigations, they may investigate drug use in the workplace, ensure that expense accounts are not abused, or determine whether employees are stealing merchandise or information. External investigations are typically done to uncover criminal schemes originating outside the corporation, such as theft of company assets through fraudulent billing of products by suppliers.
Financial investigators may be hired to develop confidential financial profiles of individuals or companies that are prospective parties to large financial transactions. These investigators often are certified public accountants (CPAs) who work closely with investment bankers and other accountants. They search for assets in order to recover damages awarded by a court in fraud or theft cases.
Detectives who work for retail stores or hotels are responsible for controlling losses and protecting assets. Store detectives, also known as loss prevention agents, safeguard the assets of retail stores by apprehending anyone attempting to steal merchandise or destroy store property. They prevent theft by shoplifters, vendor representatives, delivery personnel and even store employees. Store detectives also conduct periodic inspections of stock areas, dressing rooms, and restrooms, and sometimes assist in opening and closing the store. They may prepare loss prevention and security reports for management and testify in court against persons they apprehend. Hotel detectives protect guests of the establishment from theft of their belongings and preserve order in hotel restaurants and bars. They also may keep undesirable individuals, such as known thieves, off the premises.
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Private Investigators and Private Detectives Areas of Practice * Based Upon
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Index
Companies that conduct corporate investigations vary widely in size and orientation. At one end are the solo practitioners who track down stolen laptops and debunk workers' compensation claims. Many investigators are former law enforcement officers accustomed to having access to subpoenas and search warrants to get the information they want.
The National Association of Legal Investigators, Inc., sets national standards for Legal Investigators and confers the designation CERTIFIED LEGAL INVESTIGATOR only upon those who meet professional requirements and who successfully pass stringent written and oral examinations. The designation, Certified Legal Investigator, is a most honored and sought - after credential. Once conferred, Certified Legal Investigators must advance their professional careers by earning continuing educational credits and by maintaining the high standards of the CLI program.
Financial investigations are usually very document-intensive. Specifically, they involve records, such as bank account information, real estate files, motor vehicle records, etc., which point to the movement of money. Any record that pertains to or shows the paper trail of events involving money is important. The major goal in a financial investigation is to identify and document the movement of money. The link between where the money comes from, who gets it, when it is received and where it is stored or deposited, can provide proof of criminal activity.
A store detective is employed to deter and detect theft in retail outlets. Store Detectives is one of many common and less frequently used terms in the retail industry. More common terms today with major retailers are Loss Prevention Agent, Detective or Investigator and Asset Protection Officer or Investigator. Store detectives may be self-employed on a contract basis but most are employees of the retailer, of a security firm with an outsourcing arrangement with the retailer, or of an agency with a similar agreement. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
