Learning about Private Investigations

This post is for readers who want to know more about the profession of private investigations. Whether you are interested in the field out of intrigue, are thinking about hiring a private investigator and want to be an informed consumer, or are contemplating a career in the profession, this post will point you in the direction of some excellent books.

There are a variety of books on the profession, some better than others. While it may be useful to read a book that gives a general overview of the profession or provides interesting stories, such as Broker, Trader, Lawyer, Spy: The Secret World of Corporate Espionage, the more useful books are those that build knowledge and skills that are relevant to successful investigations. If you are seeking employment with an investigations company or want to be an informed consumer, it is better to invest in books that deal with the process of investigation and relevant laws. The following books are excellent resources:

• Introduction to Private Investigation: Essential Knowledge and Procedures for the Private Investigator
  
  
• Process of Investigation, Third Edition: Concepts and Strategies for Investigators in the Private Sector
  
  
• Navigating The Legal Minefield of Private Investigations
  
  
• How to Do Financial Asset Investigations: A Practical Guide for Private Investigators, Collections Personnel, and Asset Recovery Specialists
  
  
• Internal Corporate Investigations

In addition to the books listed above, you will want to invest in books on writing if you plan to work as a field investigator. You will write professional reports that will be passed along to clients and may be used in court. A well written report, free of grammatical errors and typos, will project the proper professional image. The following books are excellent resources for improved writing.

• The Elements of Style (4th Edition)
  
  
• The Business Writer's Handbook, Ninth Edition
  

Being a private investigator is not just about following people, as popular press images suggest. It is about knowing the laws and understanding human psychology. The above books will help you to gain an understanding of what it really takes to conduct a successful investigation.