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Private
Detective
Private
detectives and investigators gather information for businesses and individuals.
They assist attorneys, businesses and the public with a variety of legal,
financial and personal problems.
Most
detectives and investigators are trained to perform physical surveillance, often
for long periods of time. They also perform computer database searches that
allow them to quickly obtain massive amounts of information.
They
question suspects, catch culprits and file complaints about suspects with the
police. As a result, they often testify in court.
SKILLS
- Detectives and investigators must not be afraid of
confrontation, should communicate well, and should be able to think on his
or her feet.
- Good interviewing and interrogation skills also are
important and are usually acquired in earlier careers in law enforcement or
other fields.
- The investigator must be able to present the facts in
a manner a jury will believe.
EDUCATION
- No formal education is required for most private
detective and investigator jobs, but most employers prefer to hire high
school graduates. Over the past several years, a college education has
become increasingly preferred.
- Training in subjects such as criminal justice,
forensic sciences, law enforcement and security administration are helpful.
OUTLOOK
- Stiff competition is expected, because private
detective and investigator careers attract many qualified people, including
relatively young retirees from law enforcement and military careers.
- Opportunities will be best for entry-level jobs with
detective agencies or as store detectives on a part-time basis. Those
seeking store detective jobs have the best prospects with large chains and
discount stores.
- Increased demand for private detectives and
investigators will result from fear of crime, increased litigation, and the
need to protect confidential information and property of all kinds.
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