Private Investigations - When Does Surveillance Become Stalking?

In the private investigations field, sometimes the question "When does surveillance become stalking?" arises. This article addresses the ethics in one's motive for conducting surveillance, the legal recognition of its validity, and the hallmarks of stalking in the eyes of the law.




Private Investigations - When Does Surveillance Become Stalking?

Surveillance is a critical skill for any private investigator (PI). Our law enforcement agencies from more than half of our cases, the injury is, skip tracing that requires some degree of monitoring. For PIs who specialize in insurance or infidelity investigations, surveillance can be the bulk of their work.

In our field, sometimes the question "When does surveillance become stalking?" arises. To answer, let's first analyze the ethics in one's motive for conducting surveillance. If the performed surveillance serves a purpose for obtaining information that PIs usually obtain, then courts will uphold rigorous surveillance.

For example, a few years ago, an individual in Michigan sued a PI firm for a violation of the Michigan stalking law for actions the investigators took during an insurance surveillance. The PI firm fought the case all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court, which agreed with the PI firm that "surveillance by private investigators contributes to the goal of obtaining information and amounts to conduct that serves a legitimate purpose. Even though plaintiff observed the investigators following him more than once, this is not a violation of the stalking law." (In summary, the Michigan Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit outright and never allowed it to the stage where a trial was held.)

Contrast this with a situation where a PI is hired to simply "put the muscle" on a witness or opponent in a lawsuit. Repeated contact in the absence of an information-gathering purpose is a road sign indicating the on-ramp to stalking and illegal harassment.

Other hallmarks of stalking in the eyes of the law:

Use of intimidation.

Verbal or physical threats.

Behavior that instills fear in another.

But surveillance that recognizes and respects others' privacy rights and personal boundaries, and is conducted for the sole purpose of gathering evidence, will be upheld by the courts. Like the Eagles song "On the Border," a PI needs to stay on the border, walkin' the line.

Colleen Collins-Kaufman is a professional private investigator and multi-published author. Her Colorado investigative agency, Highlands Investigations & Legal Services, Inc., specializes in asset/background searches, criminal/civil investigations, domestic relations, infidelity investigations, financial fraud, personal injury, skip tracing, and surveillance. To read more about Highlands Investigations' services, go to http://www.highlandsinvestigations.com.

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becoming a private investigator

How to Become a Private Investigator

Are you looking for a challenging career? Want to be your own boss? Are you tired of the same boring, ho-hum, nine to five job? How about becoming a private investigator? It's not as hard as you think.




How to Become a Private Investigator

You've seen the movies. A dashing private eye solves the crime, gets the girl, and drives into the sunset in a shiny red Ferrari. Ah... if only real life could be like that. Chances are, your job is a little less exciting. No murders to solve, no damsel in distress, and hopefully, no car chases. Most of us settle into a career that's a little more mundane than your typical crime drama. And yet, some of us don't.

While most private eyes won't remind you of James Bond or Sam Spade, the fact is that thousands of people have chosen to forsake the cubicle and become professional investigators. They come in all shapes and sizes and work all types of cases. From insurance fraud to wrongful death to cheating spouses, private eyes handle just about every type of case you can imagine. Some own large corporations while others operate from home. Many PIs only work part-time, generating extra income and building their expertise. The work can be exciting and very rewarding, offering a chance to do something important and profitable. The question is, how do you become a private eye?

Most states require private investigators to be licensed. Usually, the applicant must possess a clean background with no felony convictions. Additionally, experience in the investigative field is usually a must. In New York, for example, applicants for a PI license are require to have either three years of experience as an investigator or twenty years of experience in law enforcement. Applicants will need to pass a background check, provide references, and of course, pay a fee. Although this process may take several months, the costs involved are usually less than a thousand dollars, making the PI business an affordable start-up.

What if you don't have the required experience? As long as you can pass a background check you should be able to begin working for a licensed private investigator. This is a great way to get started in this business. By working for an established agency that you can get the experience and skills needed to break on your own, if you want it. Many investigators continue working for an agency, focusing on the cases and leaving the hassles of running the business to someone else. Then again, being your own boss is one of the main reasons to become a private investigator<</a>/a>. Few other professions allow you the freedom enjoyed by private eyes.

So, how do you get started? Begin by checking the internet for licensed private detectives in your area. Contact the owners and ask them if they could use some part-time help. Be sure to emphasize any skills or experience you may have like photography or computer knowledge. Be willing to be flexible with hours and pay. Remember, you must get your foot in the door before you can be licensed. Take some time to find out if this line of work is for you. It isn't for everyone, but if you've got what it takes, you may never look back!

Brett Carlson is a Certified Fraud Examiner and small business consultant in New York. He helps companies and individuals discover, reduce, and prevent fraud. He is also the editor of FraudAnswers.com, a popular website featuring news and information on fraud prevention. Visit http://www.fraudanswers.com to find more ways to prevent fraud today!

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So You Want to Become a Private Investigator?

Today, the Internet private investigation is becoming popular. This is because many people now put their information on the Internet. This form of investigation is mainly used to get people who commit Internet fraud. They use different software to get hold of these people.




So You Want to Become a Private Investigator?

Today, the Internet private investigation is becoming popular. This is because many people now put their information on the Internet. This form of investigation is mainly used to get people who commit Internet fraud. They use different software to get hold of these people.

There are lots of factors to put into consideration when choosing a private investigation agency. You need to check the size of the agency. Generally large agencies have a good number of investigators. In most cases each of them specializes in different forms of service.

The number of private investigation tools being used currently is alarming. People no longer use the Holmes chemistry set. Instead they make their choice from the well-advanced and effective tools available today. One of such tools is the surveillance tool.

Private investigation job can be done on a part time basis. This is common among people who have interest in private investigation and who are into another career. This can be stressful, but if you have a passion for it, you study your work does not conflict with other professions and how you can plan your time.

Experience is one important feature expected of private investigators. They begin to acquire this experience from their training period. Gradually they improve on their skills while doing the job. Besides, people prefer experienced hands to handle their cases, especially delicate cases.

There are lots of materials required for private investigation. One of the materials in surveillance materials. These materials could be audio or video. Another type of material is the Forensic material which helps in getting facts in the course of investigation.

Companies who seek to have private investigation go for investigators that have military background. The essence is that private investigators with military background are physically fit and disciplined. They are equally balanced psychologically.

One basic thing private investigation is about is Forensics. This is because the job requires lots of investigation in order to spot the clues. As an investigator what makes you unique is the ability to spot clues form what people say.

If your question is along the lines "how to become a Private Eye? " then this is a pretty good place to start.

Despite news to the contrary Private Eye Training is still readily available if you know where to look.

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How to Become Your Own Private Investigator

Many of us have thought about hiring a private investigator at one point or another. Are you trying to collect a bounty or repossess property? Maybe you are not sure about that new person you just started dating. These situations are good examples of when further investigation techniques may be used.




How to Become Your Own Private Investigator

Many of us have thought about hiring a private investigator at one point or another. Has your girlfriend, boyfriend or spouse been acting differently? Maybe you're not sure the new person who just started dating. Or quite possibly you are thinking of hiring someone to a trusted position. These are all situations that may call for further investigation.

Let's start with the example of trying to collection a bounty or bank owned property. In both of these situations, the persons aren't likely to easily give themselves of the property up. You can, however, quickly locate them using only the tools available on the internet. Let's say you are looking for a vehicle to repossess. Do you have the subject's phone number? No, you are not going to call them. By any means possible, you need to obtain the subject's phone number. This can be done by talking to the financial institution that has a lien on the vehicle. In other cases, one of the subject's relatives may provide you with this crucial piece of information.

Once the phone number is obtained, enter it in to a reverse phone lookup search on thw web. You may have to pay a small fee to obtain quality results. This type of service will provide you with the name, known aliases, current and past addresses, and even known relatives and others associated with the individual. Make sure you save all of this information. Any good investigator knows that each piece of information is a new lead to explore.

You could call the subject's relatives and try to get information out of them. Another trick would be to get a visual of all of the addresses listed in the report. You may easily be able to locate that vehicle parked in the driveway. You could even plug the address into Google Earth and use "street view". If nothing else, you can determine the lay of the neighborhood before you attempt to collect your property.

This is but one example of how a reverse phone lookup can aid investigations, large or small. If you would like more information or to perform a reverse phone lookup yourself, follow the links below.

Reverse Phone Lookup
Cell Phone Tracker

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becoming a private investigator

Becoming a Private Investigator - Skills and Experience Required

This article sets out the basic requirements for anyone hoping to become a professional private investigator or 'private eye'. It sets out the experience and personal characteristics required, as well as some traits that might make a person unsuited to this profession.




Becoming a Private Investigator - Skills and Experience Required

So you want to be a private investigator, but aren't sure if you have the skills and background required? Don't worry! In this article I'll aim to set out the basic requirements for anyone hoping to work in this field.

Ex-police officers are often particularly attracted to working as private investigators. In general they tend to be people who possess an inquiring mind, an interest in legal matters, and a desire to see justice done. And it is certainly true that skills and experience gained in the police service (not to mention the contacts) can come in very handy for a PI.

Having a police background is by no means essential, however. Anyone, potentially, can become a private investigator. You don't need any special abilities or qualifications (though in some US states and in certain other countries you will have to apply for a license). A lack of educational qualifications is no barrier to success, and you certainly do not have to be male. Many private investigators are women, who tend to predominate in matrimonial and domestic areas of the business.

Certain personal characteristics are desirable, though most will come with time and experience. Assertiveness and persistence are important, along with good eyesight (aided by glasses or contact lenses if necessary) and observation skills. And, if you're not the kind of person who relishes sitting in a car all night keeping tabs on a 'suspect', then you are unlikely to make a good investigator.

This is one of very few opportunities where you don't have to be young to succeed. In fact, older investigators are often hired in preference to younger, inexperienced, less streetwise individuals. Maturity and common sense are crucial.

Skills -- physical and acquired -- depend on the kind of work you specialize in. Private eye Irwin Blye has more than thirty years' experience. In his book 'Secrets of a Private Eye' he lists the essential personal characteristics for success as diligence, good observation, being prepared, resourcefulness, creativity, inquisitiveness, patience and neutrality. Fellow author and experienced investigator Edward Smith says the most important traits of all are objectivity, thoroughness, self-reliance and accuracy.

Persistence is a very important attribute. You might spend days tailing a subject, just to find the trail suddenly runs cold. Following this you may go to the public records office to look for written evidence, only to spend several days in a musty vault and find nothing! At this stage a professional investigator takes a deep breath (OK, he might just down a single Scotch as well), then decides on his next line of attack. An amateur simply gives up.

Curiosity is another essential attribute without which you'll get nowhere. It's a good idea to bear in mind the six prompts used by the investigative journalist: what, why, when, where, how, who. Every answer to every problem can eventually be found using those six words.

Academically, it helps to have a reasonable command of English for producing reports and other written communications.

Some personal characteristics are simply not compatible with this business. For example, prudishness is rarely a good trait for the investigator who may have to observe and photograph people in compromising positions in order to establish infidelity. And being squeamish won't win you any favors from insurance companies needing you to investigate serious industrial injuries, arson attacks, and people disfigured by road accidents.

One thing you must have is the ability to remain detached. You can not side with one party to the marital discord, for example, if you are working for the other party.

Finally, it is a fallacy to suppose that you have to be super fit. OK, a reasonable general level of fitness is desirable, but you certainly don't have to pump iron in the gym every day. Much more important is stamina -- the ability to keep going over long periods without flagging. On a surveillance, for example, you may have to remain alert long past normal working hours.

If you have a reasonable mix of these skills and aptitudes, then congratulations -- you are potentially well suited to working in this fascinating and challenging occupation.

You can make very good money as a freelance private investigator. The Professional Private Investigator Course from Maple Academy (UK) is a leading correspondence course in this field. For more information, see the Maple Academy website at http://www.mapleacademy.com

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becoming a private investigator

Becoming a Mental Private Investigator

If you're serious about changing your life, you need to become aware of where you are right now. It's not what you do but what you think that determines your life. Become aware of what you think.




Becoming a Mental Private Investigator

In my article, "What's on Your Mind?" we looked at the Law of the Seed and how it works together with the Law of Attraction. We saw that it is not the life you lead that determines what you think. It is what you think that determines the life you lead. So if you looked at your life and not happy, I suggested should consider changing your mind.

Whenever we want to make a change, we usually try to change what we do. If we want more money, we get another job. If we want a better relationship, we get out of the one we're in. If we want to lose weight, we go on a diet. These changes rarely work. Two jobs might bring in more money, but we become exhausted and sometimes can't even work at all. The next relationship we jump into is just as bad as the one we left. Diets...well, many of us realize they don't work...10 lbs off, 15 lbs back on.

The answer is not in changing what we do but in changing how we think. A proverb states, "For as he thinks within himself, so he is." Again, if you are not satisfied with where you are in life, you will need to make a change. The first step to change is awareness...becoming aware of the root of the problem, your thoughts. Here is a simple (notice I did not say "easy") exercise that you can implement today.

You need to consciously think about what you think about. Let me say that again; you must deliberately think about your own thoughts. No longer just let your mind freely go wherever it wants. You need to keep tabs on it. If you have to, keep a notebook handy and take notes. Think of yourself as a private investigator and follow your thoughts wherever they go and whatever they do. At the end of the day, you should have a very concise report on your "suspect." Now, this is a private exercise so you needn't tell anyone what you are doing. Don't be embarrassed by your thoughts (well, you may need to be but just observe from a neutral perspective.) Don't ignore or be upset about your thoughts; and, at this point, certainly don't try to change them. Remember, you must first become aware of the position you are in before you can devise a plan to redirect yourself into the life of success you desire to have.

Once you understand what is going on in your mind, then and only then can you make effective changes. This is a critical first step so please don't try any way around it. As I said, it is simple but you will not find it easy. Your "suspect" does not want to be found out! When you are ready to move on, you can find some helpful, practical steps to take in my next article: "Mindless No More."

Paula Glasser
http://7FiguresWithPaula.com
http://StreamlineProspectsNow.com

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Becoming a Private Investigator - Interviewing Skills

Interviewing occupies a major portion of the typical private investigator's day, and is one of their most important tasks. This article sets out a range of hints and tips for any new or aspiring private investigator to help improve their interviewing skills.




Becoming a Private Investigator - Interviewing Skills

Interviewing occupies a major portion of the typical private investigator's day, and is one of their most important tasks. Good interviewing generates the greatest amount of information in the least possible time, causes no-one aggravation, and helps wind up a case quickly and efficiently. Here are a few hints and tips for any new or aspiring private investigator to help improve their interviewing skills:

• Prepare for interviews ahead of time. Don't expect someone to change their plans to suit yours simply because you failed to plan properly. Of course, there will be times when urgent meetings are needed, in which case say so, and arrange a time to suit the interviewee.
• Make a list of questions you will ask before the interview starts. Try to stick to this, but be aware that unexpected questions may arise during the interview. Have your questions printed out in a list, with plenty of space between each item for notes. If an unexpected question arises a different coloured pen can be used to record the new question and your interviewee's answer.
• Arrange interviews early in the day if possible, when interviewees are fresh and not yet in a routine which they might find hard to break later.
• Arrive early. Never keep your interviewee waiting. Nothing annoys people more than being taken for granted. It also creates a bad first impression, which can make your subject withhold information or be less forthcoming than he otherwise might.
• Dress as if the interview mattered. Which it does -- something that isn't always obvious if you turn up with dirty jeans and a tatty tee shirt carrying stains from a recent hurried meal.
• Introduce yourself as soon as you arrive and when you meet your interviewee. A friendly hello and a handshake go a long way towards creating credibility and reducing the awkwardness of 'official' interviews.
• Look your subject in the eye, and try not to look shifty or attempt to gather background information while the other person is talking. Give him your full attention, always.
• Explain the reason for the interview. Don't keep your interviewee in the dark. He will want to know why you are asking him questions, why you need the information, and how you intend to use it.
• Create rapport as soon as you can -- no matter whom you are talking to or what position they hold. 'Holier than thou' is not a good attitude to have if you want people to open and warm towards you. Be friendly but not over-friendly. Be professional.
• Allow the other person time to answer your questions, and try not to do much talking yourself. Ask 'open' questions which give the subject a chance to expand, rather than closed questions, which can simply be answered 'yes' or 'no'. Allow him to finish before asking another question. Don't interrupt or cut him short.
• Avoid distractions. Not everyone likes recording equipment or obvious note-taking. Ask before doing either. Many people will refuse to be recorded, but most expect you to take notes. Make notes as brief as possible, and try not to spend too long looking away from the other person.
• Don't try to impress or intimidate your subject. This will simply create an 'us and them' situation which will make your interviewee feel threatened or undermined. Either way, you are less likely to get the information you require. The best approach is natural and straightforward.
• If you run out of time, suggest a follow-up interview, but remember you are encroaching on someone else's time. Arrange a follow-up that suits the other person best, not you.
• Leave cordially. Shake hands and thank your interviewee for his time and effort. If necessary, say you will get back to him. Give him your card, and suggest he contacts you if you can be of any assistance to him in the future.
• When the interview ends, write up your notes as soon as possible. It's amazing how quickly rough notes get lost, or you simply forget what you meant. If the matter ends up in court, such a lack of professionalism can be embarrassing and costly.

You can make very good money as a freelance private investigator. The Professional Private Investigator Course from Maple Academy (UK) is a leading correspondence course in this field. For more information, see the Maple Academy website at http://www.mapleacademy.com

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becoming a private investigator