Online Private Investigator Training Course

To prepare students to gain entry-level employment in an investigative agency as a private investigator.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Recognize the career opportunities that exist for private investigators, including the characteristics and skills necessary to succeed in the field
• Differentiate between criminal law and civil law, and outline how tort law and civil law affect private investigations in Canada
• Describe the elements of effective communication and its role in private investigation practice
• Recognize available information sources, and explain how to access various records and information sources that can assist in an investigation
• Identify the role of the computer in private investigation, including the basic security measures for using databases and computer forensics
• Describe various methods of reporting investigative findings to clients, including the best reporting format for each type of case and best practices for preparing reports
• Outline the role of observations and descriptions in investigations, and develop a systematic method of observing and describing persons, places, and things that will help make an investigation successful
• Identify different types of cases that require surveillance, and recognize the different types, methods, and techniques of surveillance to use
• Name equipment used by private investigators, including operational, surveillance, evidence collection, and safety equipment
• Recognize the proper methods for obtaining, recording, preserving, and analyzing evidence; explain the role of expert witnesses
• Recognize the skills and techniques necessary to providing protection services, such as executive and bodyguard protection
• Outline the role of the investigator in access control and discuss the various locks, alarms, and design elements to safeguard physical security, information security, and personnel security
• Discuss the role of providing security in special settings, and identify the security problems, special characteristics, and crime-prevention programs applicable to each setting
• Specify the role of the investigator in a variety of Canadian investigations, and list the many types of investigations, the way in which evidence is gathered, and the proper procedures and techniques used to gather evidence

The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.

Various job opportunities in private investigating; how to collect and use information; how to perform private investigations; the difference between the real world of private investigations and the fictional version described by writers and moviemakers; basic knowledge of related fields you might need to call on as an investigator; personal characteristics of a private investigator.

The principles of law related to private investigations; the basics of the legal system; Supreme Court cases and constitutional amendments related to private investigation; local, state, and federal laws that affect the work of a private investigator.

The importance of communication skills in private investigation; verbal and nonverbal communication; developing good communication skills; how having good communication skills helps the investigator gather information.

Classifications of investigative information resources; role of the Internet in private investigation; differences between public and private records; computerized databases; field investigation.

The role of the computer in investigation; personal computer technology; using online computer databases; computer security issues; using the Internet in investigations.

Preparing for the interview; conducting the interview; conducting the interrogation; polygraph examination; rights of suspects.

Basics of report writing; how to report to clients; appropriate use of intermediate reports and final reports; how to prepare a report; when to verbally advise a client.

How the terms observation and documentation are related to investigations; systematic approach to observing persons, objects, events, and places; systematic approach to asking others for their observations and documentation in interviews; building a rapport with a witness; observing and interpreting body language.

How to plan, prepare, and conduct a surveillance; when to use foot and vehicular surveillance; how to detect and defend against counter-surveillance; the use of photographic equipment for surveillance; the techniques of covert photography; appropriate indoor and outdoor observation posts; recording in the surveillance log.

The equipment used by private investigators, including operational equipment, surveillance equipment, evidence collection equipment, and safety equipment.

Obtaining, recording, preserving, and analyzing evidence; processing an arson crime scene; getting evidence admitted into court; obtaining dental records and identifying what records are important.

Differences between body guarding and executive protection; adequate budget and authority for executive protection; risks of protecting a person; protection techniques; relationship between a bodyguard and a principal.

Opportunities for trained security personnel; access control - a working definition; access control terminology; environmental design; lighting in crime prevention locks.

Security in special settings; types of crimes associated with each setting; concepts associated with each setting; crime prevention strategies; railway and port security.

Qualities of a successful private investigator; investigative procedures; obtaining and retrieving information; special investigations.

Textbook: The Canadian Private investigator's Manual

Work Experience Option: (Not required for graduation.)