How to Learn Private Detective Techniques

For free, you can learn about investigative techniques and tools through certain online magazines.

Perhaps you are interested in becoming a private detective, or maybe you want to learn a few investigative techniques for your personal use. There are numerous opportunities for learning private detective techniques. Some of these resources are fee-based, such as in-house and online courses taught by licensed private investigators, regional private investigator conferences and books on specialized investigative topics. Other resources, such as private investigators' blogs and websites, as well as online magazines, are free and available to the public.

Instructions

How to Learn Private Detective Techniques

1. Take a class. There are established private detectives who offer on-site courses geared to those interested in learning about, or brushing up on, private investigations and the techniques and tools of the profession. For example, in Colorado, the Private Investigator Academy of the Rockies offers both class and field instruction. Also, if you have six or more people interested in studying investigations, BlueMoon College offers on-site investigation courses.

2. Register for an online course. Numerous private detectives offer online courses in investigations. For example, L. Scott Harrell, a licensed private investigator and founder of CompassPoint Investigations in Alabama, teaches online investigation courses at BeAPrivateEye.com. Also, Art Kassell, a licensed private investigator in California, oversees online investigation courses at the Detective Training Institute.

3. Attend a private investigator conference. Many state professional private investigator associations present annual conferences that are open to the public. These conferences include workshops on investigative techniques, presentations by renowned private investigators and investigative equipment demonstrations. PI Magazine lists private investigation conferences and training seminars by date, including links to conference websites.

4. Read a book. There are dozens of books on private investigation techniques, many of which focus on investigation specializations, such as background checks, surveillance, computer forensics, crime scene investigations, fingerprints and forensic ballistics. PIStore.com and Pimall.com sell a wide variety of books on private investigations.

5. Research investigation websites and blogs. Numerous private detectives write about investigative techniques on their websites and blogs. For example, check out The Confidential Resource, The Background Investigator and Guns, Gams, and Gumshoes.

6. Review online magazines. There are online magazines that outline investigative techniques, resources and tools, and are available to the public at no charge. Two such online magazines are Pursuit Magazine and Evidence Technology Magazine.

References

• Rick Johnson & Associates of Colorado: The Private Investigators Academy of the Rockies
• Bluemoon College: In-house Training Courses
• BeAPrivateEye.com: Do You Want to Become a Private Investigator?
• Detective Training Institute
• Professional Investigator Magazine: Private Investigator Conferences & Training Seminar
• PIstore.com: Private Investigator Books

Resources

• Pimall.com: Books and Manuals on General Private Investigation Practice Library
• The Confidential Resource: Sources & Methods for the Investigator
• The Background Investigator
• Guns, Gams, and Gumshoes
• Pursuit Magazine
• Evidence Technology Magazine