Private Detectives / Investigator

Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Asset Protection Detective; Field Investigator; Investigator; Loss Prevention Agent; Loss Prevention Associate; Loss Prevention Detective; Loss Prevention Investigator; Loss Prevention Officer; Private Investigator; Special Investigator

Tasks

• Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
• Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
• Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
• Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
• Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
• Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
• Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
• Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
• Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
• Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Law and Government
• Computers and Electronics
• Administration and Management
• Administrative
• Public Safety and Security
• Psychology

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Writing
• Active Learning
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Inductive Reasoning
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Near Vision
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Information Ordering
• Selective Attention
• Flexibility of Closure
• Category Flexibility
• Far Vision
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Perceptual Speed