NCJ Number
85528
Journal
Security Management Volume: 26 Issue: 9 and 10 Dated: (September/October 1982) Pages: 95-97,45-48
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This two-part article deals with the private investigator's role in the criminal justice system, with special attention to the common duties and techniques used by modern private investigators, and the use of private detectives as criminal defense investigators.
Abstract
Part one delineates private investigation's diverse specialties, comments on reasons for hiring a private investigator, and compares police work. Types of cases requiring private detective involvement, information sources, and information-gathering techniques such as discreet and undercover interviews are discussed. The private investigators' professional code of ethics and general principles of conduct are mentioned. Part two covers the private detective's job in assisting an attorney in preparing a criminal defense. It discusses the differences of approach between prosecutorial and defense case preparation and the advantages and disadvantages of each side regarding information access and uses. The job of the defense investigator is viewed as being the eyes and ears of the defense attorney, since the investigator must obtain all pertinent information, both adverse and favorable. Specifically discussed are interviews and evaluation of witnesses, the gathering of all physical evidence to be used for the defense, background information on the judge and jurors, interaction with police investigators, and crime scene investigation. The article emphasizes that both prosecution and defense investigators should approach their work with open minds and gather all available information free of preconceived notions of guilt or innocence.