A private detective, a private investigator, or investigation agent, is someone who may be employed by people, associations or NGOs to undertake investigative services. Private detectives often work as agents for lawyers in civil and even criminal matters. Today, private detectives have taken on a new role as an internet investigator.
One of the major uses for private detectives today is in international espionage and monitoring of corporate, government and private sector activities. They may be used in identifying sources of information, intelligence and counter-terrorism operations. Some private detectives specialize in corporate and intelligence investigations and may be involved in corporate spy work and electronic surveillance. They may also be involved in corporate security and protection and may be called upon to serve as private investigators or secret agents.
Private detectives also serve as interview people to trace suspects in missing persons cases. They may also help to locate missing children or relatives. Their job may also include investigating crimes such as murder, rape, armed robbery, sex crimes, fraud and identity theft. Private detectives may also work in the area of elder law and legal protection for the elderly such as investigating death records.
One of the most important roles of a private detective is to assist police in the investigation and detection of missing persons. They perform investigative interviews with suspects and interview people who know the suspect. Private detectives also perform death records searches on people who have died.
Another important duty of a private detective is to gather evidence against a suspected person. In order to do this, they may have to interview people who know the suspect or are related to him in some way. Sometimes a private detective will use hidden cameras to spy on subjects without their knowledge or permission. If it is safe to do so, the investigator may videotape the subjects without their knowledge or consent.
In many instances, private detectives serve as an undercover spy for corporate employers or government agencies. In these cases, they gather information about the company's employees, clients and competitors. They may also spy on competitors themselves by secretly video taping meetings with them. In a similar vein, if the need arises, they may install electronic surveillance equipment to track a computer or laptop remotely. They can intercept email communications, track bank accounts and obtain access to personal and business information. These activities are often used in line with their employer's compliance regulations.
Private detectives can work in an array of different environments. From working in the court system to working at the NSA, from working in the private sector to working for the government, the investigator's job can vary greatly. They may only need to spend a specified amount of time gathering evidence, conducting surveillance and reporting findings to a third party. They may however need to spend extended amounts of time performing investigative work and gathering information in order to either prosecute a case or to protect a case from being compromised.
Some private detectives are sole workers. Others belong to a detective agency or freelance as part of a team. Still others are consultants who provide a range of investigation services to a number of different clients. The investigator may only have one specific client in mind, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a criminal case. For instance, some private detectives may search for missing persons. If a young woman runs out of gas near her home, she may want to check the woods for her and if she is found, she may need to be reunited with her family.