One of the primary tools of the trade is experience. On larger departments a common rule of thumb is for a person to do 4-5 years on the streets to accumulate the experience necessary to do the job of an investigator. Not that native smarts and intelligence don’t count, it just takes that long to see and do it all. You need to learn read body language and to read people’s emotion. An investigator must have empathy for all the human emotions. So, experience goes a long way in making an effective investigator.
Private Investigator Background
Education helps, if fact police agencies are swinging more in the direction of some sort of degree, but most only require high school graduation or a GED. Reading and writing are important skills. Many of your reports will be exposed in court, so grammar and spelling are important. As the accumulation of facts come from documents, reading skills are also important, but the fact is an investigator is a professional writer and must communicate through the written word. Many private investigators therefore have prior law enforcement backgrounds, either local or federal, many are former FBI professionals or have been city or county law enforcement. A little-known fact is that you need a degree to be a federal agent. Experience working on a task force or law enforcement interagency group also builds experience and teamwork.
Private Investigator Training
There is a difference between education and training. Training is usually done in groups and at most lasts a week or two. There are no educational credits, but the certificates carry some weight. A good investigator will not pass up a chance to get training, and in multiple fields. To be an investigator is to be curious. It is curiosity that attracts a person to become an investigator in the first place.
Private Investigator Experience in Other Fields
And having experience in another field is very handy. When investigating insurance fraud having a working knowledge of the insurance industry is enough. To be an effective real estate fraud investigator former experience in a title agency or as an agent helps. Any specialized industry has its own language. Slang, key words almost all endeavors have some key terms that must be understood by an investigator. An investigator in the field of medical malpractice needs and intimate knowledge of medical terms, procedures and practice. As can be seen one’s life experiences go a long in defining the investigator.
Private Investigators Act Legally
A knowledge of constitutional law and of the state statutes and local ordinances is mandatory. You need to know the law to investigate legal events. You need to be familiar with privacy and other laws that may restrict your actions or are a roadblock to the investigation. Remember all the data an investigator accumulates will likely be presented in a court and must conform to evidentiary standards of the court and law, either criminal or civil. It needs be organized and accurate or a good lawyer will cut your testimony and efforts to ribbons. Most opposing lawyers will go out of their way to challenge your credibility. You need to be able to articulate your point, be professional and organized.
Private Investigator & Security Services in Greater Miami, Sunny Isles, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Miami Gardens Florida
There is much more to be an effective an investigator than depicted on TV or movie screen. Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami, FL can handle all your private investigator and security needs. Contact us to get started today!
