Basic private investigation : a guide to business organization, management, and basic investigative skills for the private investigator

Today’s private investigator comes from two primary sources: (1) law enforcement agencies and (2) from academic environments. To be successful as a profession, these groups must be melded to a common group of values and objectives. The purpose of this book is to provide the private investigator, regardless of experience, with information that will result in business and personal success. The book is divided into two parts. Part I discusses basic business organization and management subjects applicable to those who desire to be a successful business owner. It covers material for those just starting a business as well as provides information that is of value to those who want to better organize and manage their current business. Part II discusses basic investigative skills applicable to all levels of experiences and areas of personal interest. This information comes from experienced private investigators and takes a step beyond the traditional “school solution.” These are the skill sets normally considered as general investigative skills which serve as a foundation for more specialized experiences. The authors of this book are a very unique group of professionals. Each author has a minimum of ten years of investigative experience and many have at least thirty-five years of experience. The majority of the authors have investigative experience with large law enforcement agencies, in military service or at all levels of government. Topics covered include: private investigation as a second career; developing markets and partnerships for profit; professionalism and ethics; financial dispute prevention and resolution; interviews, interpreters, and statements; producing a professional report; conducting investigation in China and in Europe; the complexities of international investigations; investigator liability; foot and vehicle surveillance; effective surveillance techniques; and employing a competent subcontractor. From the Back Cover: Today's private investigator comes from two primary sources: (1) law enforcement agencies and (2) from academic environments. To be successful as a profession, these groups must be melded to a common group of values and objectives. The purpose of this book is to provide the private investigator, regardless of experience, with information that will result in business and personal success. The book is divided into two parts. Part I discusses basic business organization and management subjects applicable to those who desire to be a successful business owner. It covers material for those just starting a business as well as provides information that is of value to those who want to better organize and manage their current business. Part II discusses basic investigative skills applicable to all levels of experiences and areas of personal interest. This information comes from experienced private investigators and takes a step beyond the traditional "school solution." These are the skill sets normally considered as general investigative skills which serve as a foundation for more specialized experiences. The authors of this book are a very unique group of professionals. Each author has a minimum of ten years of investigative experience and many have at least thirty-five years of experience. The majority of the authors have investigative experience with large law enforcement agencies, in military service or at all levels of government. Topics covered include: private investigation as a second career, developing markets and partnerships for profit; professionalism and ethics; financial dispute prevention and resolution; interviews, interpreters, and statements; producing a professional report; conducting investigation in China and in Europe; the complexities of international investigations; investigator liability; foot and vehicle surveillance; effective surveillance techniques; and employing a competent subcontractor This book is intended for use by private investigators, regardless of experience, to develop and manage a successful business. The book is a compilation of articles from a variety of authors, each with at least 10 years of experience that cover two primary areas: basic business organization and management, and basic investigative skills applicable to all levels of experience. Part I of the book contains nine chapters that cover: 1) Private Investigations as a Second Career; 2) Organizing Your Private Investigation Business; 3) Transitioning from Law Enforcement to a Career as a Private Investigator; 4) But, I'm Not Ex-Law Enforcement or Military: Can I Do This; 5) Developing Markets and Partnerships for Profits; 6) Marketing Your Business; 7) Developing a Niche Business; 8) Professionalism and Ethics - Waling in the Minefield; and 9) Financial Dispute Prevention and Resolution. Part II of the book contains 11 chapters that cover: 10) Interviews, Interpreters, and Statements; 11) Producing a Professional Report; 12) Conducting Investigations in China; 13) A Few Words About Investigations in Europe; 14) Professional Private Investigators in the Civil Justice System; 15) The Complexities of International Investigations; 16) Conducting Investigations in Japan; 17) Investigator Liability; 18) Foot and Vehicle Surveillance; 19) Effective Surveillance Techniques; and 20) Employing a Competent Subcontractor. Index