Table Of ContentPrivate Security and the
Investigative Process
Fourth Edition
Private Security and the
Investigative Process
Fourth Edition
by
Charles P. Nemeth
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
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To my sons Stephen and Joseph—about to embark on new directions in defense
and law—I could not be prouder. Godspeed in these extraordinary changes!
To St. Thomas Aquinas who remarked:
We see and judge of all things in the light of the first truth, forasmuch
as the light itself of our mind, whether natural or gratuitous, is
nothing else than the impression of the first truth upon it ….
(Summa Theologica, I, Question 88 at Article 2)
Contents
Preface............................................................................................................................................xiii
Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................xv
Author Bio ......................................................................................................................................xvii
Chapter 1 Introduction to the Private Security Industry and the Investigative Process ...............1
1.1 The Private Security Industry: Overview and Context .....................................1
1.1.1 The Contemporary State of Private Security .......................................1
1.1.2 Classifications and Functions of the Private Security Industry ...........3
1.2 The Private Security Industry and Privatization ...............................................4
1.3 The Role of Private Security and the Investigative Process ............................11
1.3.1 Investigative Activities Commonly Encountered by
Private Security ..................................................................................14
1.4 Conclusion and Final Thoughts .......................................................................17
Notes ...........................................................................................................................19
Chapter 2 General Characteristics of a Competent Investigator .................................................23
2.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................23
2.2 A Private versus Public Mentality ...................................................................23
2.2.1 Objectivity and Investigative Practice ................................................26
2.2.2 Logic and Investigative Practice ........................................................27
2.2.3 Perseverance, Diligence, and Investigative Practice ..........................29
2.3 Human Relations Skills and Investigative Practice .........................................31
2.4 Ethics and the Investigative Process................................................................33
Notes ...........................................................................................................................43
Chapter 3 Interview and Case Evaluation ...................................................................................47
3.1 Introduction: The Interview and the Investigator ............................................47
3.2 Initial Interview ...............................................................................................48
3.2.1 Initial Interview: Administrative Requirements ................................49
3.2.1.1 Authorization and Release ..................................................50
3.2.1.2 Interview Information or Fact Sheets .................................51
3.2.1.3 Follow-Up Letter.................................................................71
3.2.2 Recording Interview Impressions ......................................................74
3.3 Case Evaluation and Subsequent Interviews ...................................................75
Notes ...........................................................................................................................79
Chapter 4 Witness Testimony and Evidence in the Private Security Industry ...........................81
4.1 The Purpose of Witnesses ...............................................................................81
4.2 Types of Witnesses ..........................................................................................82
4.2.1 Missing or Unknown Witnesses .........................................................82
4.2.2 Lay Witnesses .....................................................................................83
4.2.3 Expert Witnesses ................................................................................85
4.2.3.1 Qualifications of the Expert ................................................85
4.2.3.2 Sources of Expert Witnesses ..............................................93
vii
viii Contents
4.2.3.3 Expert Service Contracts ....................................................94
4.2.4 Character Witnesses ...........................................................................96
4.3 Processing Witnesses ......................................................................................96
4.4 Conclusion .......................................................................................................99
Notes ...........................................................................................................................99
Chapter 5 Collection of Information .........................................................................................103
5.1 The Nature of Information and the Rules of Collection................................103
5.2 Leads and Contacts for the Private Investigator ............................................106
5.3 Public Sources of Information .......................................................................108
5.3.1 Federal Agencies ..............................................................................110
5.3.2 State and Local Agencies .................................................................111
5.4 Private Sources of Information .....................................................................113
5.4.1 Directories, Databases, and Atlases .................................................113
5.4.1.1 Business Databases ...........................................................115
5.4.1.2 Miscellaneous Databases ..................................................115
5.4.2 Libraries ...........................................................................................116
5.4.3 Newspapers.......................................................................................117
5.4.4 The Internet and Web-Based Searches ............................................118
5.4.4.1 Social Media Searches ......................................................118
5.4.5 Professional Associations and Groups .............................................118
5.4.6 Auto Records ....................................................................................119
5.5 The Background Investigation .......................................................................119
5.6 Real Property Title Search ............................................................................122
5.7 Conclusion .....................................................................................................125
Notes .........................................................................................................................125
Chapter 6 Collection of Evidence and Preservation of the Scene.............................................129
6.1 Investigative Technique: Initial Scene Visitation ..........................................129
6.2 Investigative Technique: Preliminary Evidence Collection Strategies .........133
6.3 Investigative Technique: Scene Sketches and Other Graphic Portrayals ......144
6.3.1 Rules for Sketching ..........................................................................144
6.3.2 Rules for Measuring .........................................................................147
6.4 Investigative Technique: Photographic Evidence ..........................................148
6.4.1 Location of Crime Scene ..................................................................150
6.4.2 Photography and Special Applications ............................................150
6.4.2.1 Vehicular Accidents and Related Auto Claims ................150
6.4.2.2 Bodily Injuries and Photographic Method .......................154
6.4.2.3 Arson/Insurance Fraud and Photographic Evidence ........156
6.4.2.4 Burglary/Criminal Trespass/Forcible Theft and
Photographic Evidence .....................................................156
6.4.2.5 Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Photographic Evidence .....157
6.5 Investigative Technique: Documentary Evidence .........................................159
6.5.1 Police Records ..................................................................................159
6.5.1.1 Alcohol or Chemical Reports ...........................................159
6.5.1.2 Accident Reports ..............................................................159
6.5.1.3 Domestic Relations Documentation .................................159
6.5.1.4 Radio Logs ........................................................................159
6.5.1.5 Arrest Reports—Narcotics ...............................................159
Contents ix
6.5.1.6 Violence in the Workplace ................................................159
6.5.1.7 Missing Person Reports ....................................................163
6.5.1.8 Disposition Sheets .............................................................163
6.5.1.9 Suspect Descriptions .........................................................163
6.6 Investigative Technique: Medical Records ....................................................167
6.7 Investigative Technique: Records Involving Economic Damages ................173
6.8 Investigative Technique: Preservation of Evidence .......................................175
6.9 Conclusion .....................................................................................................182
Notes .........................................................................................................................183
Chapter 7 Surveillance Techniques...........................................................................................187
7.1 Purposes and Functions .................................................................................187
7.2 Tactics and Strategy in Surveillance .............................................................189
7.2.1 What Are the Steps of Surveillance? ...............................................189
7.2.2 The Precise Objective of Surveillance .............................................191
7.2.3 The Location of Surveillance ...........................................................192
7.2.4 Time of Surveillance ........................................................................192
7.2.5 The Subject or Target of Surveillance ..............................................192
7.3 Surveillance: Preparatory Steps ....................................................................194
7.3.1 Personal Behavior and Attire ...........................................................194
7.3.2 Surveillance Equipment ...................................................................194
7.3.2.1 CCTV Equipment .............................................................195
7.3.2.2 Photographic/Video Equipment .......................................197
7.4 Types of Surveillance ....................................................................................200
7.4.1 Stationary Surveillance ....................................................................201
7.4.2 Moving Surveillance ........................................................................201
7.4.2.1 Foot Surveillance ..............................................................201
7.4.2.2 Auto Surveillance .............................................................204
7.4.3 Hybrid and Other Special Surveillance Techniques ........................212
7.4.3.1 Foot and Auto Surveillance ..............................................212
7.4.3.2 Surveillance at Bus Stops .................................................213
7.4.3.3 Use of Pretext ....................................................................213
7.5 Surveillance Forms and Reports ...................................................................216
7.6 Conclusion .....................................................................................................220
Notes .........................................................................................................................221
Chapter 8 Report Writing ..........................................................................................................223
8.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................223
8.1.1 Report Writing Promotes Efficiency in the Investigative Process ......223
8.1.2 Reports and Memory ........................................................................224
8.1.3 Investigative Reports and Organizational Method ...........................224
8.1.4 Investigative Reports as Proof of Services Rendered ......................225
8.2 Investigative Report Writing: Standards for Authorship ...............................225
8.2.1 Investigative Field Notes: A Preliminary Step .................................226
8.2.2 The Essential Qualities of an Investigative Report:
Accurate, Brief, and Complete .........................................................227
8.2.3 Investigative Report Design .............................................................229
8.3 Standard Reports for the Private Investigator ...............................................231
8.3.1 Investigative Activity Reports ..........................................................232
