Private Investigator

Skills required to become a private investigator

Is it not fascinating to ponder how people choose their careers! Most careers are specifically suited to particular personality types.

Private Investigators, also known as Private Eyes, are generally people with enquiring minds who think laterally. Their imaginations are limitless, and they are fearless, knowing that their career may take them to the most remote and obscure places. Inspired by detective and mystery novels, many analytically minded people are interested in becoming Private Investigators.

As with most careers, specific skills are required. As a prospective Private Investigator, one needs to be sure that this is their correct field of choice, researching all aspects. It is always best to garner as much information, and furthermore to be assessed by a careers counsellor and undergo psychometrics to be certain that this is the correct choice of career and that one has the necessary skills. Being a highly responsible career, where evidence provided by the Private Investigator is salient to the outcome of the case, it is imperative to be the right fit for its demands.

This then begs the question as to what specific skills are required to become a successful Private Investigator.

Essentially, one needs to be sharp, alert and astute, yet extremely discreet. The Private Investigator needs to be the unseen ghost in the room, closely detecting and documenting all evidence, but without any hint of identity to the suspect(s) followed, as this will alert them to be on guard. Evidence needs to be detected with absolute certainty. Being an extremely confidential vocation, the Private Investigator needs to be tight lipped while in the process of the operation. Divulging private information to other people can destroy the entire investigation. People’s personal details need to be kept confidential.

Observation skills, whereby one pays close attention to detail, is essential, as missing one fragment of a puzzle could mean the difference between sending an innocent person or a criminal to jail. Every clue is important and may influence the outcome. A Private Investigator needs to be very observant and thorough so as not to miss anything. Observations must be reported accurately, as they contribute to the outcome of the investigation, therefore excellent report writing skills are required.

Being perceptive is a skill that one needs to have if wanting to follow this as a career. Private Investigators need to be able to read people and situations. Picking up on body language and facial expressions, which may be subtle, play a role in reading the person and contributing towards whether they may be the suspect. None of these factors work in isolation.

Interacting with people in such a way that they will co-operate and offer information, indicates that effective communication skills are necessary. Interviews, reporting on findings, and presenting evidence in court, all require these skills.

One needs to be trustworthy. If a Private Investigator has a criminal record, clients would not trust or hire the person. Thus, this is only suitable for a person with a high sense of integrity and moral standing.

A Private Investigator may sometimes be required to go by a false identity to obtain information. One needs to be the kind of person who is convincing as any character, so as not to draw suspicion.

While the “suspect” may be taking cautious steps to be discreet and undiscovered, the Private Investigator needs to always be a good few steps ahead.

Crime scene analysis: Families and friends often turn to private investigators to help solve crimes that the Police have been unable to. Crime scene investigation skills are your number 1 skill as these are clients that really need your help.

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What services a Private Investigator supplies

The Private Investigator must provide investigative, surveillance and research services to the public. While their job scope is vast, they may find themselves hired by attorneys, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies and private businesses. They work closely with law enforcement, and in some cases are called to work on ‘cold cases’ where leads have not yielded evidence, and nobody was convicted. This then results in the case being closed. Various techniques are used to uncover facts about legal, financial and personal matters.

Duties of a Private Investigator

The duties of a Private Investigator vary according to their clients’ needs, and during their training and work, they acquire a skill-set that can be applied across several fields. Legal investigators work for law firms, locating and interviewing witnesses and serving legal documents. They also apprehend people who have violated probation or not paid their bonds.

Corporate investigators conduct internal investigations within a large company and are responsible for ensuring that employees do not violate any laws. Private investigators working for financial institutions are responsible for investigating financial irregularities, in addition to repossessing materials from defaulters who have failed to make their payments. Banks also employ Private Investigators to find missing foreclosure clients, and people who have stopped paying their bills. They strive to prevent identity theft and unauthorized fund transfers.

Many are employed by insurance companies to investigate claims and uncover insurance fraud. Internet security is a very large and buoyant field, where there is an abundance of fraudulent activity and hackers must be caught.

It is very common for Private Investigators to be hired by distrusting and suspicious husbands or wives feeling that their spouses may be engaging in clandestine relationships.

People who feel betrayed, and have the financial means, will go to any length to secure evidence, and especially that which has a solid base and will stand up in court. Infidelity is a huge field in the industry.

To become a Private Investigator, one may enrol at a skills academy that offers specific courses. Many police officers, detectives and other law enforcement employees, choose to become Private Investigators.
Inherent risks and dangers exist, and Private Investigators often face situations where they must confront criminals in the interest of public safety. It is advisable for Private Investigators to acquire training in arrest tactics and self-defence techniques. They may need to learn to use weapons.

Many Private Investigators are employed for many years, gaining experience. Some may choose their areas of interest, and in time, change to a different field to diversify and acquire additional experience before deciding to be self-employed.