The private investigator has a working relationship with attorneys. The private investigator gathers additional evidence, conducts research, completes due diligence and locates witnesses for the attorney. This relationship is productive as the investigator does leg work while the attorney can concentrate on the case’s legal elements. Some law firms even employ their own ‘legal investigators’ or secure the service of an outside private investigator.
Legal Investigator Definition
A legal investigator must be skilled in finding and analyzing information while understanding relevant statutory and case law while balancing all of the rules concerning evidence collection and preservation. The certification of legal investigators is issued by the National Association of Legal Investigators and the only certification authority recognized in the United States. It is required for certification to be employed by a law firm or investigative agency, five years full-time investigation experience, passing a Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) exam and you must submit a CLI research paper approved the association.
Private Investigator Research
Private investigators play a role in society offering services to individuals and business entities. Having the ability to conduct research is a must have skill. Searches of legal records, family history, conducting background checks using a computer as your primary tool. You then need to analyze the facts pertinent to solving a case. Today a lot of research is conducted online.
Qualities of a Good Private Detective
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills assist in conducting investigations. The detective must analyze complex problems. The sometimes difficult part is removal of personal prejudice and opinions while maintaining objectivity. Attention to detail is critical. Computer research skills and written and oral communications are necessary. After all your report must communicate all that you have found, its relationship to the case at hand and in manner that can be understood by a lay jury. Fraud cases are difficult to present in an understanding manner. Patience is critical, difficult or slow-moving cases and conducting surveillance tries the patience, but patient you must be. Sometimes an investigation will take some time to complete. A private investigator is faced with the daunting requirement to figure out what happened. Fraud cases can be convoluted. You need to unravel the methods used. By its very definition fraud is expected to be deceitful and shrouded in layers of lies. Fact finding involves talking to people, conducting interview or interrogation. Interviewing is a skill required of all effective investigators, but mastery only comes with preparation, research and actively conducting many interviews building experience.
Private Investigator Surveillance
Surveillance is a skill, as you want to be able to see without being seen. Surveillance is also manpower intensive if conducted properly. But in many cases surveillance may perhaps be the only avenue for completion of the case.
Education that could be helpful is a criminal justice degree, but experience in other fields is helpful. Military Intelligence background, security experience. Other fields that are helpful is psychology, sociology or political science. But expertise in other specialties is important. Specialties include financial investigation, fraud investigation and computer forensics. It is imperative that the investigator stays current with changes in the law. Legislation on one hand and interpretation by the court on the other is what determines the law.
Private Investigator & Security Services in Greater Miami, Sunny Isles, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Miami Gardens Florida
The PI / attorney relationship is a strong one and helps move the case through the system and to be brought to its conclusion. Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami FL are standing by to help build your legal case. Contact us today!
