Private Detectives and Investigators

Career summary

Private detectives and investigators may also be called assets protection specialists or loss prevention detectives, specialists, or associates.

Private detectives and investigators conduct research for a variety of reasons including:

• Verifying people’s background before employment
• Tracing missing people
• Investigating computer crimes
• Divorce disputes

Detectives and investigators use a variety of tools to gather information such as phone calls, computers, cameras, and surveillance. Sometimes an investigator may go undercover in order to gather information.

Detectives and investigators may specialize in one of the following areas:

• Computer forensic science investigators gather data from computers and e-mails.
• Legal investigators help lawyers prepare defenses and verify facts in law suits.
• Corporate investigators conduct internal investigations such as drug use among employees or expense account audits.
• Financial investigators develop profiles of people about to engage in large financial transactions.
• Store detectives try to catch people who steal.
• Hotel detectives protect guests from theft.

Most detectives write reports and case summaries to inform clients or supervisors. Many present evidence at hearings and court trials.

Related careers

This career is part of the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Appraisers and Assessors
• Buyers and Purchasing Agents
• Detectives and Investigators
• Insurance Adjusters and Examiners
• Property and Real Estate Managers
• Real Estate Agents
• Sales Representatives
• Security Guards
• Tax Examiners
• Transportation Security Screeners

Military careers

• Law Enforcement and Security Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to private detectives and investigators.

• Conduct various types of surveillance and searches to carry out investigations.
• Make phone calls or visits and interview people to verify and gather information.
• Provide assistance to lawyers and insurance companies. Work on civil cases, insurance claims, and child custody cases.
• Assist private individuals in personal investigations.
• Use still and video cameras to document evidence. Also use binoculars and cell phones during surveillance.
• Use computers to search databases for information. Look for probate records, telephone numbers, motor vehicle registrations, and other data to locate or investigate individuals.
• May help prepare criminal defenses, locate witnesses, serve legal documents, and gather and review evidence.
• May conduct internal and external investigations for large corporations.
• May develop financial profiles of people or companies. May use accounting skills to search for assets in order to recover damages.
• May safeguard the assets of retail stores by preventing theft and conducting inspections.
• May protect hotel guests from theft of their belongings. May preserve order in restaurants and bars.
• Write reports and case summaries to document investigations or inform supervisors.
• Testify at hearings and court trials to present evidence.

Common work activities

Private detectives and investigators perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Document and record information
• Use computers
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Analyze data or information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Evaluate information against standards
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Process information
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Perform administrative tasks
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Schedule work and activities
• Develop goals and strategies
• Think creatively
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, private detectives and investigators:

Interpersonal relationships

• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations. May deal with unpleasant or angry subjects or witnesses.
• Have a high level of job-related social interaction. They spend a lot of time talking to people to gather information.
• Communicate with others primarily by telephone, e-mail, and face-to-face discussions.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of those they protect.
• Are responsible for the work done by assistants.
• On rare occasions may deal with physical aggression from violent individuals.
• Sometimes work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• May work indoors or outdoors, depending on the case.
• May be exposed to hot or cold temperatures, depending on the weather and work site.
• Sometimes work in very bright or very dim lighting conditions.
• Must sometimes get into awkward positions to reach cramped work places.
• Often spend considerable time in a car, truck, or van.

Work performance

• Repeat the same physical and mental activities.
• Must be very exact in performing their job. Errors could result in serious legal problems, especially in court cases.
• Often make decisions that significantly impact others. They usually act without talking to others first, although they often talk to clients for information and occasionally direction.
• Set their tasks and goals without talking to someone first.
• Must meet strict daily and weekly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• May work part time or full time.
• Often work irregular hours to conduct surveillance or contact people who are not available during normal working hours. May work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical demands

Private detectives and investigators frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for private detectives and investigators to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for private detectives and investigators to be able to:

• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.

Skills and abilities

Private detectives and investigators need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Law Enforcement and Police Science

Other programs of study to consider

• Accounting
• Criminal Justice
• Criminology
• Cyber-computer Forensics and Counterterrorism
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Finance
• Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation
• Forensic Science
• Homeland Security
• Insurance
• Law
• Pre-Law
• Security Studies

Training

To work as a private detective or investigator, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training; and
• have one to five years of related work experience.

Education after high school

Many private detectives and investigators have a bachelor's degree. Several majors are good preparation for this occupation. These include law, finance, accounting, insurance, law enforcement, criminal justice, and business.

Work experience

Almost all private detectives and investigators have work experience in other occupations. Many worked as police detectives, accountants, auditors, or military intelligence officers. Other common occupations are investigative journalist, insurance investigator, and lawyer.

On-the-job training

Most private detectives and investigators learn on the job. Learning by doing, in which new investigators are put on cases and gain skills as they go, is a common approach. Training may last up to one year.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be law enforcement and security specialists. Training lasts from five to 12 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Banking and Finance
• Community Protection
• Criminal Justice Assisting
• Law Studies
• Legal System

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers look for individuals who are clever and resourceful. They must be able to think of different ways to find information. They also look for people who are persistent and assertive. Candidates must not be afraid of confrontation. Good communication and interviewing skills are also important. Because many cases eventually go to court, investigators must be able to present the facts in a manner a jury will believe.

Some employers look for applicants who are at least 21 and have a high school diploma and training from a state approved investigation course. They look for good moral character and no criminal record. Employers may also provide at least two months of on-the-job training. Some employers require workers to have their own transportation.

For store detectives, high school graduation and two years of experience in some security field, such as security guard, are required. Many store detectives must pass a background investigation and have a current driver's license. Employers look for workers who have strong work ethics and work well with customers.

Tips

Being loyal to the company you work for is important. The ability to write clear concise reports is also a valuable asset. Courses in psychology and sociology are recommended.

Licensing/certification

Private investigators must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing as unarmed or armed private investigators. To be licensed as unarmed investigators, applicants must:

• be at least 18 years old;
• be a US citizen or resident alien;
• have no criminal convictions that would affect their ability to do the duties of an investigator;
• work for, or have a job offer from, a licensed private investigative agency; and
• complete pre-assignment training and submit one set of fingerprints;
• pay application and renewal fees.

To be licensed as an armed private investigator, applicants must:

• meet the requirements for unarmed investigators;
• be 21 years of age;
• submit one set of fingerprints; and
• complete an eight-hour firearms certification through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission;
• pay application and renewal fees.

For more information on licensing requirements for private investigators, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Private Investigator Licensing Program 
PO Box 9649
Olympia, WA 98507-9034
360.664.6611

#2/10/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Private Detectives and Investigators 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary greatly depending on the employer, the specialty, and the area of the country where investigators work. Wages tend to be much higher, for example, for loss prevention investigators in large corporations.

Benefits also vary. Most full-time salaried private detectives and investigators receive benefits. These usually include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. In addition, most corporate investigators receive profit-sharing plans. 

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Local and state government agencies
• Detective agencies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is growing steadily. There is an increased fear of crime, more lawsuits, and the need to protect property and confidential information. An increase of criminal activity on the Internet, such as identity theft, spamming, and illegal downloading will also be a contributing factor. Employee background checks are becoming more common, and this will provide more job opportunities. More private investigators will be needed to assist lawyers working on criminal and civil cases. They will also be needed to control internal and external losses in large companies.

Competition for jobs will be strong. This career attracts many qualified people. Opportunities will be best for entry-level jobs with detective agencies.

Other resources

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 

Definition of a Legal Investigator 

National Association of Legal Investigators 
PO Box 278
Bath, MI 48808
866.520.6254
517.702.9835

US Department of Justice 

References

Career cluster

• Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Career path

• Enterprising (Business Communications)

O*Net  occupation

• Private Detectives and Investigators (33-9021.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Alarm Investigator (376.367-010) 
• Bonding Agent (186.267-010) 
• Detective I (376.367-014) 
• Detective II (376.667-014) 
• Gambling Monitor (343.367-014) 
• House Officer (376.367-018) 
• Investigator (376.367-022) 
• Investigator, Cash Shortage (376.267-010) 
• Investigator, Fraud (376.267-014) 
• Investigator, Private (376.267-018) 
• Shopping Investigator (376.267-022) 
• Skip Tracer (241.367-026) 
• Undercover Operator (376.367-026) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Enterprising/Conventional/Realistic

COPSystem

• Service Skilled