The Everything Private Investigation Book: Master the techniques of the pros to examine evidence, trace down people, and discover the truth

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Observe someone without being observed.
Dig up long-buried dirt.
Catch a cheating spouse.

The Everything Private Investigation Book shows you the basic research techniques and tricks the pros use. You'll learn how to get background information using a wide range of sources, including newspapers, court records, military files, and even the DMV. Written by experienced investigators, this guide helps you to:
  • Use the Internet to get information on anyone and anything
  • Conduct background checks for prospective employees or tenants
  • Uncover hidden identities and assets
  • Manage a physical or electronic surveillance
  • Protect privacy and avoid identity theft

Whether you're a journalist, an amateur genealogist, a business owner, a landlord, or just curious, you'll find essential information in this guide. In addition to being a valuable resource, The Everything Private Investigation Book is also a fascinating read. Even "armchair detectives" will enjoy reading about famous real-life and fictional PIs and the little-known secrets professionals use to crack the case.

Sheila L. Stephens was the first female Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) special agent in the state of Alabama and one of the first in the nation. She recently graduated from Boston University with a master's degree in criminal justice. After leaving the ATF due to injury, Ms. Stephens opened a private investigation/security business. She is a criminal justice professor at Andrew Jackson University and a contributing writer and associate editor of The Agent, the newsletter of the National Association of Federal Agents (NAFA). Ms. Stephens lives in Bessemer, AL.
Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781598695359

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Adams Media

Publication Date: 08-01-2008

Pages: 304

Product Dimensions: 9.00(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.79(d)

Series: Everything (Reference)

About the Author

An Adams Media author.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents


Top Ten Items Every PI Needs x
Introduction xi
Do You Have the Right Stuff? 1
Powers of Observation and Concentration 2
Communication Skills and the Ability to Listen 5
Perseverance, Patience, and Courage 8
Quick Thinking and Discretion 9
A Good Memory 11
Keeping Secrets 13
Writing Skills 14
Organizational and Analytical Skills 15
Education and Training 19
Schools and Universities 20
PI Organizations 21
Internships/Onthe-Job Training 24
State and Local Requirements 25
Diploma Mills 27
Continuing Education 30
Ethics-The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly 33
Ethics Overview 34
Ethics: The Good 35
The Bad 37
The Ugly 39
Ethics and Privacy 42
Setting Up Your PI Business 47
Business Models 48
Pros and Cons of Business Ownership 51
Business Plan 53
Work Place-Home Office Versus Public Office 58
Office Equipment and Furnishings 63
Marketing and Money Matters 65
Startup Capital 66
Business Bank Account Versus Client Trust Account 67
Getting Paid 68
Licenses and Taxes 71
Insurance 72
Marketing and Promotion 75
Creating a Web Site 78
Creating Professional Reports 82
Missing Persons: Skip Tracing, Adoption Searches, and Genealogy 85
Overview of Skip Tracing 86
Types of Skips 88
Skip Tracing and the Internet 90
The Missing Birth Parent or Birth Child 94
Genealogy Searches 97
Divorce, Infidelity, and Child Custody Investigations 99
Clueing In on Infidelity 100
Divorce and Infidelity Investigations 101
Premarital and Infidelity Investigations 103
Check Your Mate: Hidden Camera Stings 104
The Missing Parent 106
Child Custody 107
Missing Children and Adolescents 113
The Missing or Abducted Child 114
Registering Children for Future Identification 118
Abduction Prevention 122
Abuse Investigations: Child, Spousal, and Elder 125
Child Abuse Investigations 126
Should You Investigate Child Abuse? 130
The Pedophile 131
Spousal or Relationship Abuse 133
Elder Abuse 137
Working Your Case 139
How to Begin 140
Crime Scene and Evidence Handling 144
Preserving the Scene 145
Documenting the Scene 146
Collecting, Packaging, and Storing Evidence 147
Processing a Homicide Scene 151
Processing the Exterior of the Scene 152
Processing the Interior of the Scene 153
Processing Trace Evidence 157
Preserving the Chain of Custody 158
Working Within the Law 161
Understanding the Law 162
Pretexting Law 163
Permissible Deception 165
Arrest Law 168
Citizens' Powers of Arrest 173
The Law of Evidence 174
People in the PI's Life 177
Working with Employees 178
Working with Clients 180
Working with Police and Other Agencies 181
Working with Informants and Contacts 182
Working with Experts and Resources 185
Dealing with the Media 186
Testifying in Court 189
Accepting a Subpoena 190
Demeanor and Dress 191
Rules of Evidence 192
Cross Examination Response 198
Be Prepared 199
Tell the Truth 201
Business/Corporate Security and Investigations 203
Insurance Investigations 204
Personal Injury Investigations 206
Corporate Fraud 209
Workers' Compensation 210
Theft of Time, Product, or Services 215
Special Investigations and Investigators 217
Background/Pre-Employment Searches 218
Choosing an Information Database 219
Negligent Hiring and Negligent Retention 225
Mystery Shopping 227
Cyber Sleuths 229
Collections and Repossessions 231
Bounty Hunters 232
Investigative Equipment 235
Video Equipment 236
Covert Cameras and Security 240
Audio Equipment 245
Surveillance 247
Moving Surveillance 248
Stationary Surveillance 249
Foot Surveillance 251
Insider Tips 252
Video Surveillance Law 256
Electronic and Audio Surveillance 258
Interviewing and Interrogation 263
To Interview or Interrogate-Know the Difference 264
Interviewing Witnesses and Interrogating Suspects 268
Taking Statements 270
Obtaining Confessions 273
Research Tools and Resources 275
Information Access Law 276
Internet Web Sites and Database Services 277
Understanding Databases 278
Legal Resources 279
Police Codes and Abbreviations 281
Phonetic Alphabets and Special Symbols 285
Index 287

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