Job Descriptions of Private Detectives and Investigators
A private detective, or private investigator, plays an important role in gathering clues and collecting evidence that help in cases of civil wrongdoing and criminal activity. From suspicion of marital infidelity to corporate fraud, a private investigator's work can provide pivotal evidence that determines the outcome of a claim or even a court trial.
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General Job Duties
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Private detectives or private investigators are hired to help companies, individuals and lawyers uncover and analyze information. By gathering clues and evidence, the private detective can help a client determine facts about financial, personal and legal matters. The work can range from a task as simple as pre-employment verification to criminal investigation.
Computer Forensics
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Computers are often an investigator's major source of evidence. Much of a private investigator's work involves computer forensics, which is a thorough search through computer hard drives and networks. The investigator may be looking for evidence supporting claims of identity theft, insurance fraud, infidelity, civil liability, insurance claims and more. A trained investigator can retrieve deleted files and emails from a personal computer. In addition, computer databases can help an investigator determine criminal records and trace communications, like phone records and electronic networking activity.
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Surveillance
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Private investigation often involves surveillance of a subject through the most basic methods. Through interviews, phone calls and personal visits, an investigator can collect an adequate amount of information for background checks and employment verifications. Surveillance may also call for more technological methods, such as using cameras, GPS and cell phones.
Legalities
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Private detectives and private investigators must stay up to date with local, federal and state legislation to gather evidence that will be admissible in court. The investigator should be able to discern actions to take within the parameters of privacy laws and legislation related to evidence and surveillance.
Education and Training
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Prospective private investigators and private detectives benefit by having a college degree in criminal justice or other related discipline, but it is not required. Practical experience, particularly in police investigation work, is also beneficial.
Income
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The salary of a private detective or private investigator ranges widely, depending on the client base, the employer and even location. The top 10 percent of investigators earned an estimated $76,000 as of 2008, while the median range was between $30,000 and $59,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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References
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