NCJ Number
60601
Date Published
1979
Length
255 pages
Annotation
THIS HOW-TO MANUAL FOR THE PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR INCLUDES INSTRUCTIONS IN BASIC INVESTIGATIVE METHODS, STREET OPERATIONS, INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE GATHERING, AND RECORD KEEPING.
Abstract
THIS BOOK DEFINES PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS, THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THEIR LEGAL STATUS. ALTHOUGH DIRECTED AT THE GENERAL READER, WITH CHAPTERS DISCUSSING WHEN A PERSON MIGHT NEED A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN HIRING ONE, THE BOOK IS FULL OF DETAILS AND PROCEDURES WHICH CONCERN PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATORS THEMSELVES. SECRECY IS IMPORTANT TO THE PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR AND MANY PRECAUTIONS ARE SUGGESTED, SUCH AS PROTECTING ONE'S TRUE IDENTITY AND BUSINESS BY MEANS OF FALSE BUSINESS CARDS OR MISLEADING PHONE CALLS. TAILING OR TRACKING METHODS ARE PRESENTED IN DETAIL ALONG WITH DIAGRAMS AND BRIEF CASE HISTORIES OF SUCCESSFUL JOBS. EQUIPMENT USEFUL IN TAILING IS DISCUSSED (VARIOUS KINDS OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES SUCH AS BEEPERS AND MOTION DETECTORS) ARE ELEMENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL STAKEOUT, AND FIREARMS AND THEIR USES AND MERITS. ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS HELP THE PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR GATHER EVIDENCE. WIRETAPPING, EAVESDROPPING, CLANDESTINE PHOTOGRAPHY, OR SIMPLY PERSUADING PEOPLE TO GIVE INFORMATION CAN ALSO LEAD TO EVIDENCE. A DETAILED CHAPTER ON THE USE OF PUBLIC SOURCES OF INFORMATION SUCH AS TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES, CITY AND BUSINESS DIRECTORIES, AND FEDERAL AND STATE INCLUDES A WARNING ABOUT INVASION OF PRIVACY. THE PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR DEALS NOT ONLY WITH PRIVATE MATTERS OF PERSONS OR PROPERTY, BUT ALSO WITH INTERNAL SECURITY IN BUSINESSES, THEFT PREVENTION, AND INTELLIGENCE GATHERING. CAREFUL NOTETAKING, KEEPING OF RECORDS, AND WRITING REPORTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE. THE BOOK IS ILLUSTRATED WITH DIAGRAMS AND PHOTOS AND IS INDEXED. APPENDIXES ARE A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR'S CODE AND A LIST OF SOURCES FOR TRAINING. (RFC)