Private investigators, or PIs, are experts in gathering information. They
use their keen powers of observation, along with highly developed research
and interviewing skills, to solve mysteries and build cases.
Private investigators trace debtors and conduct background checks. They
interview witnesses, assemble trial evidence or search for missing persons.
They work for the government, lawyers, corporations and private citizens.
Many private investigators specialize. Financial investigators locate embezzled
funds and investigate the financial standings of companies. Legal investigators
specialize in criminal and civil cases. Corporate investigators conduct internal
or external investigations.
Since PIs observe people who may not want to be observed, their work can
be confrontational, stressful and dangerous. Some investigators carry guns,
but it can be difficult to get a permit.
Although it has its moments of drama, being a private investigator is not
like what you see on TV.
"It's not that glamorous," says private investigator Sheila Klopper. She
specializes in legal investigations for criminal defense lawyers.
"When we go to scenes, it's after the fact, and it's all been cleared,"
says Klopper. "You're usually not the one finding the dead bodies. You see
a lot of pictures.
"It's a lot of reading [of] police reports and identifying witnesses, talking
to a client, finding who else we can talk with to corroborate the story. [You]
take some photos, take some measurements, take some evidence to another lab.
You write a lot of reports."
Klopper belongs to the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI),
which has over 500 members.
The World Association of Detectives (WAD), meanwhile, has over 1,000 members,
almost 50 percent of whom are in the United States. In total, WAD has members
in 75 countries.
Karen Coady is the association manager for NALI and WAD. She says private
investigation is dominated by men. "[But] I'm getting more and more women,
and younger women. Sometimes we're finding husband/wife teams and father/daughter
teams."
Private investigators often work early in the morning, late at night or
on weekends. They spend a lot of time away from their offices, doing surveillance.
They may travel a lot.
Unless they work for large corporations, most private investigators don't
receive insurance, paid vacations, sick days or other benefits. But they're
usually reimbursed for expenses and receive a car allowance.
Private investigators should be physically fit. They may have to work outdoors
for long periods of time.
"An investigator must be in good physical shape, like a police officer,
and go to the gym," says private investigator Carl Franco.
Most investigation firms do background checks on all potential employees.
Employers look for investigators who are objective, persistent and assertive.
Investigators shouldn't be afraid to deal with confrontations. They should
communicate well and have good judgment. They must be able to present facts
to a jury.
If you have the right temperament, private investigation can be a highly
demanding, but rewarding profession.
"I tell people that investigator work is 10 days a week and 35 hours a
day," says Franco. "It fascinates you and it pushes you."