Whether it’s running locating a private investigation firm in Tampa is easy if you know where to look, investigating insurance fraud or finding out if a spouse is cheating on you, Private Investigators are able to gather information from a variety of sources and act within the law to get results. They can also help you solve a difficult situation faster than you might be able to with the police.
To become a private investigator, you will need a bachelor’s degree in criminology or criminal justice and some work experience. If you’re interested in this career, consider a degree program that offers an internship as part of your coursework. In addition to education and work experience, you’ll need a private investigation license, which varies by state.
Solving the Puzzle: How Private Investigators Uncover Hidden Truths
You can perform stakeouts and follow individuals, searching various databases online for records of criminal convictions, marriages and divorces, mortgages or voter’s registrations. You can interview friends, associates and neighbors or search through trash if it is legal to do so in that location. You can also use surveillance equipment, such as video cameras and microphones, to monitor your target. However, you may not trespass or impersonate a law enforcement officer.
A lot of private investigators also do a number of jobs that aren’t usually associated with the industry, such as process serving (delivering summons and subpoenas to parties involved in a case). They can also assist with tracing absconding debtors. They’re able to do this by using their own resources, as well as those of other businesses such as phone and computer tracing services.