A professional investigator is a person whose primary function is generally to find information. The type of information and his additional duties can vary depending on which industry he is in or who he is working for. Examples of different types of professional investigators include private investigators, corporate investigators, and criminal investigators.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) say a professional investigator connects clues to uncover facts about legal, financial, or personal matters. He generally does this by employing his skills to find information related to a particular problem or question. In many cases, his findings will be subject to a confidentiality agreement.
An investigator may have to do more than find information. BLS says a professional investigator may use many methods to determine the facts in a case. In some instances, however, conclusive results are not apparent. The investigator may be asked to provide an assessment of his findings based on his professional opinion in such cases.
In instances where the professional investigator’s job includes surveillance, he is likely to be required to provide video, photographic, or audio evidence. Surveillance investigations could involve following someone to see where she goes and who she interacts with. It could also mean observing a particular place to obtain information that can help solve a problem such as missing inventory.
Additionally, a professional investigator may have to perform various administrative duties. These can include basic office tasks such as typing, filing, and faxing. He may have to meet clients and maintain communication with them. He may also need to keep detailed records and write reports.
A professional investigator may work on a freelance basis. When he does this, he may be hired by individuals or by businesses to conduct an investigation. These types of arrangements commonly require that a portion of the fees be paid in advance. The remaining sum may be paid in installments as developments are made or it may be paid upon completion of the job.
Once an investigation has concluded, the professional investigator is usually free to work for anyone he wants. Some people specialize in particular areas, such as cyber crime or corporate investigation. Others may take a wide range of investigative jobs, which can help the individual diversify his skills. In some instances, an individual in this line of work is an employee. He may be employed by an investigation agency or he may be employed by an agency that regularly needs a person with investigative skills, such as a fire department or attorney’s office.
This work can become dangerous. People who are investigated are generally not those who commissioned an investigation. There may be several consequences related to the information uncovered by the professional investigator. For example, confirmation of infidelity could lead to divorce and the discovery of a culprit could lead to his incarceration.
