Private Investigation as a Career--- Your Thoughts?

[Abbadon_2008]

Private Investigation as a Career--- Your Thoughts?

I'm thinking seriously to go in a radically different direction in life. As a career, I'm considering going into pirvate investigation. I'm reading up on it, and it sounds like something worth pursuing. The money's good, and the work is plentiful.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

[Neverfly]

Yep. Quite a few.

$ one fifty for each our worked plus expenses including:
Research materials and document fees.

I accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover, checks and cash.

[Fazor]

I had considered a career as a PI ("Fazor, PI". Sounds sweet, no? ;)). And actually, am looking for opportunities to get into it, minus the "private". I'm trained in Law Enforcement and licensed in Insurance, which I figure would give me a head start on something like Fraud Investigation for an insurance company, though I'd also like fraud investigation of worker's compensation or similar programs...and large law firms generally hire people to investigate claims. The 'ol "I'm suing bill 'caus the wiplash I got from the accidnet keeps me from working" as I video tape him playing softball or shingling a roof. I think the satisfaction of catching these people alone would make the job rewarding...but the pays pretty good to boot!

Anyway, back to you. The things I would consider if I were you:

-Hours: are you prepared to travel and work at all hours of the day?
-Safety: I don't know if you have family, but are you willing to put yourself in dangerous situations?
-Cost: Just like any private business, PI is likely to have a moderate to hefty start-up cost. How quickly can you build your book of buisness, and how are you going to support yourself while you're doing that?

I'm not saying don't go for it, just saying like any private business venture, prepair yourself and get your finanaces in order first. There's been many good and promising businesses ruined because they didn't play for the initial burden.

[Abbadon_2008]

From what I've gathered --- I'm still researching the field --- most P.I. work in my area is domestic cases...infidelity, catching cheating spouses. Plus background checks for potential employers and other types of clients. Only a small percentage involves anything close to criminal activity. And in Virginia, I don't think P.I.s have police powers, and that firearm training is optional.

I know that I need a license, and to attend a training course. I might need, and intend to take, law enforcement classes before I get there. So, I know I'll have a to sink a couple thou into it before I can ever get qualified for the job.

[Fazor]

I'm not familiar with Va. law. In Ohio, PI's must be licensed and registered. In Pa., they do not have to be licensed (at least, not back in 2000 when I was living in Pittsburgh). Personally, I'd get a concealed carry license aswell. Cheating spouses might not be criminal activity, but the ire invoked if one of the cheaters catches you is enough for some people to turn very violent.

[Nicholas_Bostaph]

Personally, I'd get a concealed carry license aswell. Cheating spouses might not be criminal activity, but the ire invoked if one of the cheaters catches you is enough for some people to turn very violent.
I was thinking of recommending this same thing.



I've always wandering how legal PI work is. I understand my wife can legally hire one to try and catch me cheating. What about my fiance, since we're not legally married? Or her friend who's worried about her? Or some guy who's mad at me for cutting him off on the highway and just wants a way to legally hurt me? Obviously I have no idea how any of this works, but it seems to me that many cases could turn into tricky legal situations, so that's something else to read up on and plan for.


Whatever you choose, good luck! I know how hard it is to change careers, and also how rewarding it can be if it's something you're really passionate about. :)

[Fazor]

I've always wandering how legal PI work is. I understand my wife can legally hire one to try and catch me cheating. What about my fiance, since we're not legally married? Or her friend who's worried about her? Or some guy who's mad at me for cutting him off on the highway and just wants a way to legally hurt me? Obviously I have no idea how any of this works, but it seems to me that many cases could turn into tricky legal situations, so that's something else to read up on and plan for.

That's why many states require PI's to be licensed; so they can learn the laws and how to stay within them. Anyone can hire someone to gather info about anyone; the part that's restricted is what info is gathered and how it's obtained. One of the important parts of being a PI is operating inside the law; gathering incriminating but public information. Which is why a good PI gets a picture of the husband out to dinner with the college co-ed, and not the picture through her blinds of them...erm, having dessert. I'm not saying there's not PI's that will do the later, but they open themselves up for invasion of privacy complaints.

[Abbadon_2008]

Any good books one could read on the ins and outs (pun intended) of P.I. work?

[Fazor]

I've always been a fan of Sherlock Holmes... but as far as real PI work, I'm not familiar with any. Many of the colleges/career centers around here that are licensed for Police Academy also offer PI classes...I'd guess that if your state requires PI's to be licensed that the same is probably true there. You may want to try calling some of them and seeing if you can meed with someone (like an advisor)...although most that I've talked to are more interested in getting you to enroll than they are in answering your questions.

You could also try looking up some local PI's and talking to them...though given the nature of the job and the value of their time, they may or may not be very eager to help.

Lastly, I'd simply suggest searching Amazon.com.

[Mister Earl]

Anything is better than working a support desk. From my point of view, of course. Which is seated firmly at a support desk. The mark on my forehead corresponds to the similar-shaped mark on the wall.

[KaiYeves]

It sounds exciting! I hope you enjoy whatever career you choose.

[mugaliens]

Have you ever heard the question, "How quickly have the hunters become the hunted?"

Have you read Wikipedia's article on Private Investors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_investigator)? I called a good friend of mine who used to be a sherrif's deputy and who knew and worked with many private investigators. He read through the article and told me, "They (Wikipedia's contributors) pretty much nailed it."

I tend to agree, even though my experience was limited to reading every Hardy Boys' book when I was a kid, a fad my son has recently picked up. When I showed him my collection a couple months ago, he went gaga and started from the beginning (The Tower Mystery, I believe. It's been a long time... I looked it up - it was The Tower Treasure. It HAS been a long time).

I thought about becoming a PI. I might, yet, as I'm fairly good about blending into my surroundings, thinking quickly on my feet, people-watching, observing the nonverbal behaviors, research stuff online...

Ok, now I'm scaring myself and will shut up, now!

Seriously, probably the best way to decide if it's right for you is to offer to buy lunch for ten PIs. If you like them as people, it may be right for you. If you don't, it probably isn't.

[dodecahedron]

Any good books one could read on the ins and outs (pun intended) of P.I. work?

You might be inclined to bone up on your Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane.

[Kaptain K]

I prefer my late brother's business card:

Max K. PBI
Professional Bad Influence

Actually, he was more of an amateur, but he was definitely a bad influence!

[Abbadon_2008]

Thanks for the input, guys. I've already got a list of books on the wish list at Amazon.