The Everything Private Investigation Book

107 Pages·2008·1.21 MB·English

by  Sheila L. Stephens

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THE
EVERYTHING
®
PRIVATE
INVESTIGATION
BOOK
Master the techniques of the pros to examine
evidence, track down people, and discover the truth
Sheila L. Stephens
THE
EVERYTHING
®
Private Invetigation Book
Dear Reader,
About once a month, I receive an e-mail from someone offering his ser vices as a
private investigator, usually for free. Upon following up, I find that he has no
training, no experience in the field, and hasn’t even read a book about the
subject. Needless to say, I can’t use him. If I hired someone such as this — or
even let him work for training — his total lack of knowledge would be too
distracting to another investigator. Someone like this wouldn’t even be able to
help; he would hinder an investigation.
Plus, if it takes two people to do one job, one of them isn’t necessary. Read this
book and others recommended in the text, check out the recommended Web sites
(you can start with mine, www.safersecurityinc.com), get some training, and then
call around to see if an agency can use a trainee. Have something of value to
offer, and know how to articulate this value before you call an agency.
The second mistake potential investigators make is offering their service s for
free. You must realize that your abilities have monetar y value; if you don’t, no
one else will. Also, it’s a good idea to purchase your own basic equipment. With
your own equipment, you’ll never need to stand in line for what you need, and
you’ll be more attractive to an investigative agency.
As a former agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
and licenced private investigator, I’ve learned that in this business you hold
peoples’ lives in your hands — sometimes literally, but more often figuratively.
You’ll have identifying information that, if misused, can wreck a life and a
family. You’ll be the keeper of secret s for people who trust and need you. Don’t
let them down; use your investigative powers for good and not evil. People enter
the PI profession for different reasons. Some are interested in money: There’s no
doubt that money can be made, but there are other, better motives. I can’t
reiterate enough that the most rewarding motive is the knowledge that you’ve
made a difference in the life of another human being, and that you will leave the
planet a better place than you found it.
planet a better place than you found it.
Welcome to the EVERYTHING Series!
® ®
These handy, accessible books give you all you need to tackle a difficult project,
gain a new hobby, comprehend a fascinating topic, prepare for an exam, or even
brush up on something you learned back in school but have since forgotten.
®
You can choose to read an Everything book from cover to cover or just pick
out the information you want from our four useful boxes: e-questions, e-facts, e-
alerts, essentials. We give you everything you need to know on the subject, but
throw in a lot of fun stuff along the way, too.
®
We now have more than 400 Everything books in print, spanning such wide-
ranging categories as weddings, pregnancy, cooking, music instruction, foreign
language, crafts, pets, New Age, and so much more. When you’re done reading
®
them all, you can finally say you know Everything !
Answers to
common questions
Important snippets of information
Urgent
warnings