Ever think you have completed an investigation only to find there was one more interview to complete, another document that you need to collect, or a piece of evidence you forgot to look for? Ever had a difficult time explaining the linkages among interviews and evidence to a client? How do you ensure you are completing all the tasks associated with your investigation? Creating a task list is one way, but sometimes it might lack the ability for you to visualize important information you need to seek out. Using a mind-map is another technique that might be useful to you in completing an investigation. A mind-map is simple hand drawn chart, like one in the graphic, allows you to visualize your investigation, look for links and create checklists. Take a few minutes to scratch out a simple mind map to see how useful it can be on a current or upcoming investigation. There are free programs online you can use to create and print a mind map as well.
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Every Private Investigator should have a jump bag in their vehicle. Taking the time to set-up a small, inexpensive bag with essential items and placing one in your car, office and home is a great preparation idea that is inexpensive and will help you in emergency situations. Use any bag that can hold essential items you might need in an emergency situation. You never know when a case might take a different direction. So what do you include in your bag?
Having a small bag in your car with these essential items will prepare you for any loss of essential equipment, a sudden schedule change during surveillance or if you have to make a quick overnight trip unexpectedly. (This blog post is repeated in our Article Interview section)
We asked several PI’s and police investigators “What is the most critical investigative skill for an Investigator?” Skills commonly mentioned were: communications, interviewing techniques, social skills, analytic ability, but observation quickly rose to the top of the list. So what is observation and how can a PI improve this skill? By definition... ob·ser·va·tion [ob-zur-vey-shuhn] noun 1. an act or instance of noticing or perceiving. 2. an act or instance of regarding attentively or watching. 3. the faculty or habit of observing or noticing. 4. notice: to escape a person's observation. 5. an act or instance of viewing or noting a fact or occurrence for some scientific or other special purpose So how do you improve your powers observation? Whenever you are engaged in an investigation make a conscious effort to be observant. Sounds simple but how? 1. Clear your mind of any pre-conceived ideas of thoughts about what you observing. A police colleague said that whenever he interviewed a suspect he always approached and observed the individual as if they were innocent. By doing this he was more open to catching statements, or facts that did not quite add up if the person was truly innocent. 2. Avoid developing tunnel-vision by making an effort to take a wide, panoramic view of anything you are observing. View the area immediately around the focus of your investigation. Be observant not only to body language when talking to someone, but observe how they are dressed, listen to how they frame their sentences. 3. Take notes. Duhh!!!! One of the best ways to increase your observation skill is to write down your observations. This causes you to think about what you are observing and focus and helps with number 4. 4. Slow down! Observe situations, people from different perspectives. To help, sketch scenes, diagram statements from people you interview and create timelines. This forces you to slow down and gain a better perspective increasing your observation. 5. Be inquisitive. Even when all appears normal ask someone more familiar with the setting or incident. A police investigator investigating a robbery by sudden snatching from a store register while the clerk was counting money asked a different clerk if it was normal task for a clerk to complete at that time of night. To her surprise the clerk said no, they only counted money when another clerk came on to relieve them. Inside theft-case solved! Work on your powers of observation by making a conscious effort each day to be observant. Visit Prey Project for some excellent tips on reducing the chances of becoming a victim of street theft.
Not to mention Prey Project offers a great FREE tool for locating your devices and computers in the event it is stolen. It worked for me!!!!! Maybe you think the ball cap and casual look makes you more appealing to a potential client. As my teenage daughter would say, "Really! Are you serious!" If you want to be a professional private investigator, private business owner, then dress the part. It is important that you always dress in business attire no matter the client. (Unless the client invites you to a casual setting) Female and male investigators fashion faux pas to avoid:
Remember the first time you interviewed for a job? Dress the way you would for a first time job interview when you are meeting a client. "DUHHHH!" Making the first impression is critical for your success. Dress and act that way. If your client says, "Wow you really dressed up for this." Respond with, "Yes I did. I want you to know how important this opportunity is for me." Make the right impression first! You only have one chance at it! Cognitive interview (CI) techniques have been proven effective for use in interviewing cooperative witnesses, victims, complainants and suspects. But, are seasoned investigators "short-cutting" the interview process, disregarding some of the proven CI techniques in an effort to complete the interviews more quickly?
What are some techniques do you use to build rapport? When relationships end and the spouse is suspected of infidelity, social media can be a treasure trove of photo's, written comments, and possibly, tracking the location of the spouse. Is this really evidence and does it replace visual verification by a Private Investigator? "No, not on the basis of social media alone" Why? Social media is often faked. It is not uncommon for someone to create an email account, facebook account, twitter, and more recently, a phone number and "pretend" to be another person. The motives for doing this vary from one individual to another but in most instances it is not for the benefit of the person they are pretending to be. In a civil setting this information can be easily discounted because it is very easy to establish fake accounts. Independent, third-party investigation-verification of a spouses infidelity is essential for an effective civil process. Although none of the following alone will indicate clearly that a spouse is cheating they can provide a starting point to develop some foundation questions to assist in identifying where best to direct surveillance and other investigative efforts.
1. Has the suspected cheating spouse suddenly developed a need for privacy? Maybe the spouse has become password protecting cell phones, creating new computer log-ins, leaves the room when taking phone calls and/or becomes defensive when asked about activities while away from their spouse. 2. Sudden changes in work habits - the cheating spouse will often have a significant change in work habits. Suddenly they begin to work later or begin "traveling" more than usual. 3. Missing money or changes in finances - there are unexplained expenses on credit cards or debits from bank accounts. Abnormal increases in cell phone usage or unexplained cash withdrawals. 4. Becoming withdrawn - the cheating spouse will become more frequently disengaged from the relationship possibly avoiding intimacy, avoiding talk about their relationship or try to avoid conversations about long-term plans. 5. Changes in appearance - cheating spouses will often change their appearance by dressing differently, changing hair styles, adopting a look they think makes them look younger. They may start dressing up to run out to the store or dressing in a manner not consistent with the activity they state they are going to be engaged in. 6. Personal hygiene changes - cheating spouses may appear at home after a long day at work freshly showered. 7. More outings with friends - increased frequency of nights out with the boys or girls that are sustained for longer periods of time. 8. Becoming overly sensitive - cheating spouses will work extra hard to convince their spouse they are not cheating. The cheating spouse may react strongly to jokes about an affair, or spending time away from home.
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