Private Investigator Course Curriculum

The Starting Your Program course is designed to help you make a smooth transition to Penn Foster, including learning how to use all the tools and resources that are available to you. The goal is to help you become a confident, independent learner.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Further express your goals and expectations
• Navigate the Penn Foster learning environment, including your Student Portal
• Describe what it takes to be a successful online learner
• Identify your preferred study aids and learning styles
• Determine personal financial goals
• Practice some important study and time management skills
• Access and use helpful resources, such as the Penn Foster Virtual Library, and various help features

This course will introduce you to the many exciting opportunities that exist in a career as a private investigator. It combines personal experiences with traditional textbook lesson plans, and is practical and down-to-earth. Job opportunities in the security field have never been better. One of the results of the tragic experience of September11 is Americans’ heightened awareness of the need for security. Public law enforcement can’t do it all. New jobs are being created daily in the private security profession. As we move into the twenty-first century, the demand for qualified and well-trained private investigators is greater than ever.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Describe the various job opportunities available in private investigations
• Collect and use information as an investigator
• Use the basic tools needed to perform private investigations
• Discuss the difference between the real world of private investigations and the fictional version described by writers and moviemakers
• Discuss the related fields you might need to call on as an investigator
• Name and describe the personal characteristics important to success as a private investigator

This course will introduce you to enough of the basics of the legal system to serve as a starting point for the ongoing learning that makes private investigation an exciting career. You’ll be introduced to several Supreme Court cases and certain Constitutional amendments. Various local, state, and federal laws that directly affect your work as a private investigator must be understood, and, because laws differ in different states, you’ll need to do some research on your own. You’ll be given guidance in this course on how to do the needed research.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Know and differentiate between civil law, equity, and criminal law
• Name and explain the basic steps of the legal system for dealing with civil matters
• Name and explain the basic steps of the legal system for dealing with criminal matters
  page 5
• Compare and contrast the laws regulating arrests in terms of how these laws apply to both public law
  enforcement and private security
• Describe those amendments to the US Constitution that will affect your work as a private investigator
• Discuss some of the famous decisions of the US Supreme Court involving law enforcement and
  private investigations

This course introduces you to the importance of communication skills in private investigation practice. First, you’ll learn about the different types of communication. In communicating, what people do can be just as important as what they say. You communicate with others in all sorts of ways, not just by words. It’s important for you to understand both verbal and nonverbal communication. Then you’ll learn about the role of communication skills in gathering information for your investigations. How you communicate with others will determine your success as a private investigator. Clearly, there’s a lot to learn about how to communicate well as a private investigator. Noting your strengths and working to eliminate your weaknesses will be part of this course’s interesting work. Knowing yourself is the first part of being a good communicator.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Describe the difference between verbal and nonverbal communication
• Explain the elements of nonverbal communication
• Discuss the role of communication as it relates to differences between public sector and private
  sector investigations
• Expand your communication skills and problem-solving techniques
• Explain the techniques used in routine contacts with clients, witnesses, and others involved in the
  investigative process
• Improve your listening skills
• Explain the qualities of a good speaking voice and an appropriate telephone manner
• Describe the eight levels of relating to others
• Identify eight conflict resolution situations
• Explain specialized communication skills required in investigations
• Describe communications issues related to public record information
• Develop communications skills as a witness in court and other legal settings

Private investigators must work within a business structure. Every case has to be set up, records must be kept, and fees must be charged and collected.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Decide which services to offer
• Record and file reports, photos, videotapes, and audiotapes
• Outline an investigation page 6
• Develop information from various sources
• Identify potential clients
• Market your services
• Set up administrative procedures
• Create appropriate forms
• Create an effective report format
• Set up case files
• Control billing

This course introduces you to and explains some of the many sources of information available to you as a private investigator. First, you’ll learn what type of information is available and how an understanding of this information is critical to your success as an investigator.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Identify six classifications of investigative information resources
• Discuss the role of the Internet in private investigation
• Differentiate between public and private records
• Explain restrictions on obtaining credit reports
• Describe how databases are used to develop investigative information
• Explain the use of public libraries as investigative resources
• Discuss how to use field investigation relating to research activities
• Describe how to avoid misusing information resources in ways that might cause legal complications
• Work with people to obtain needed information

This course is designed to expand your knowledge of the role of the computer in private investigation. Don’t be alarmed or discouraged by the occasional inclusion of technical terms and charts. They’re included to expose you to the type of information you’ll find in almost any computer book or instructions. Don’t let the acronyms and jargon discourage you. You don’t have to learn a whole new language to use a computer. In private investigation, you must have a starting point to your investigation. This course is your starting point on the use of computers in private investigation.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Explain basic personal computer technology
• Describe the different types of personal computer systems
• Discuss the importance of personal computer security issues
• Use online computer databases and the Internet
• Explain computer forensics
• Discuss the importance of computer safety

In this course, you’ll learn the basics of report writing and reporting to clients. You’ll learn how to deliver the type of investigative report your client needs and wants. This course describes the various ways you can report your investigative findings to your client. You’ll learn the advantages and disadvantages of various methods you’ll use to provide your client with information. The private investigation report is the product your client purchases. Your report must reflect a professionally conducted investigation or your client might not provide repeat business or recommend you. You’ll also learn the importance of determining what your client expects from you and how you can meet your client’s reporting expectations.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Decide which type of report your client needs or wants
• Follow an organized format
• Know when to verbally advise a client
• Use intermediate reports and final reports appropriately
• Determine the best reporting format to use for each type of case
• Determine the best way to prepare a report

This course focuses on two subjects: locating people, sometimes known as skip tracing, and background investigations. Either of these specialties can give you a start in the investigation business and then continue to provide you with a lucrative, profitable business. Since locating people and background investigations are such an integral part of the private investigator’s business and service, this course will give you a good foundation for much of your future work as an investigator.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Know the difference between routine and specific locates
• Understand the power of the Uniform Commercial Code for private investigators
• Explain why the field of background investigations is growing
• Discuss methods of approaching clients
• List the information you need to conduct a background investigation
• Identify public records and how you can access them
• Explain the various parts of a credit report
• Explain the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony
• Discuss the procedure for performing a conviction history check
• Identify whom to call and what to ask for an employment verification
• Discuss the problems involved with workers’ compensation checks
• Outline the procedures for checking with colleges, universities, and high schools concerning education
• Explain the relevance of age discrimination
• Discuss the method of accessing a motor vehicle record
• List the procedures for presenting gathered information to your clients

You’ll learn in this course what both trained and untrained people see when observing places, persons, objects, and
events. You’ll also learn a systematic approach to developing essential information necessary for the successful completion of any investigation. An important part of this course deals with gathering descriptions from witnesses. You’ll learn how to work with these witnesses and how to interpret not only what they say but also how they say it and what they do while they’re speaking.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Explain how the terms observation and description are related to investigations
• List several factors that affect observation and description and describe how they operate
• Describe a systematic approach to observing persons, objects, events, and places
• Describe a systematic approach to asking others for their observations and descriptions in interviews
• Explain the importance of receiving timely descriptions from witnesses
• Define the terms lineup, show-up, and composite and explain their uses
• Discuss the proper procedure for describing a vehicle
• Explain how to build rapport with a witness
• Discuss how to observe and interpret body language and how to recognize clues as to whether a witness is
  lying or telling the truth

In this course, you’ll learn about the different types of cases that require surveillance by private investigators. In addition, you’ll learn the different types, methods, and techniques of surveillance to use.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Plan, prepare, and conduct a surveillance assignment
• Describe the skills needed to be successful when conducting surveillance
• Explain how to use a combination of foot and vehicular surveillance
• Choose appropriate clothing, vehicles, and cover story disguises for surveillance
• Explain the dos and don’ts of surveillance
• Detect and defend against countersurveillance
• Describe the essential elements of a surveillance report
• Identify types of photographic equipment used for surveillance
• Explain techniques of covert photography
• Select appropriate observation posts, indoors and outdoors
• Describe how to use effective covers under a variety of circumstances
• Explain differences in methods for rural versus urban surveillance
• Name all the kinds of information that are recorded in the surveillance log
• Describe how to choose and disguise surveillance vehicles page 9
• Explain the value and disadvantages of the “leapfrog” maneuver
• Explain the special considerations for night surveillance
• Describe what to do in many countersurveillance situations

In this course, you’ll learn about some of the equipment used by private investigators in their profession, including operational equipment, surveillance equipment, evidence collection equipment, and safety equipment. Some items are as simple and inexpensive as a tape measure while others are specialized, highly technical, expensive items like telephone analyzers. You’ll learn how to select and obtain the equipment you need. You’ll learn about types of surveillance equipment, some training issues for equipment use, and the importance of equipment maintenance.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Identify the parts of a 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) camera
• Describe the operational cycle on an SLR camera
• Choose exposure settings needed to take good photographs
• Explain the uses of various speeds of film and specialized films
• Name a variety of lenses and their special uses
• Explain how different kinds of light will affect photographs
• Describe the equipment and procedure for ultraviolet fluorescent photography
• Identify kinds of filters used in photography
• Discuss the pros and cons of using digital photography instead of using film
• Name the various formats of camcorders
• Explain the light requirements for videotaping
• Identify the lens and filter choices for videotaping
• List tips, cautions, and rules of thumb for use of equipment

This course will introduce you to the subject of physical evidence. The course will also describe some evidence-gathering procedures, provide examples of forensic analysis, and give an introduction to expert witnesses. As a private investigator, you may grow proficient in one or more specialized investigative areas and someday qualify as an expert in your own right. This course will describe how police should collect crime-scene evidence, preserve it for the laboratory, and document it for submitting to court. Knowing the procedures police are supposed to follow will help you know how to look for helpful evidence for your clients. The processing of evidence from fires and suspected arsons will be discussed. Stolen-vehicle evidence such as obliterated serial numbers will be examined, as well as new techniques involving crime-scene and vehicular reconstruction.

The material in this course will broaden your understanding of evidence and how it’s used in court. Information you collect as a private investigator is valuable only if it’s ultimately used as evidence or leads to the discovery of other usable evidence. Even if a lawsuit is dropped or a disputed insurance claim is settled out of court, the decision to do so may be based on information you gathered as a private investigator. Therefore, the more knowledge you have about collecting and presenting evidence, the more likely you’ll succeed both in and out of court.

The course will also reveal some of the details of how expert witnesses are qualified and how they function in a trial. Through a series of examples, you’ll learn successful, practical applications of the skills, techniques, and requirements described in this course. The best way for you to avoid problems with evidence is by thoroughly understanding how problems can occur, and by developing confidence in your knowledge and abilities to handle evidence correctly at all times. Completing this course will start building that confidence.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Explain how evidence is obtained, recorded, preserved, and analyzed
• Discuss procedures for processing an arson crime scene
• Explain how obliterated serial numbers on stolen vehicles may be restored
• Determine what you need to do to get evidence admitted into court
• Describe how to obtain dental records and identify what records are important
• Define and describe spoliation
• Discuss expert testimony
• Explain how to avoid certain legal pitfalls
• Discuss how to use evidence to reconstruct the scene of an accident or crime
• Explain what kinds of evidence will provide answers to questions about vehicle thefts and fraud

In this course, you’ll learn about your relationship as a private investigator to the court system. You’ll be introduced to some of the ways a private investigator can work with the court system and how to benefit from it as a businessperson. You’ll find out about the operation and procedures of both civil and criminal trials. You’ll also discover how to prepare yourself as a witness and about the dos and don’ts of providing testimony.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Discuss court-related issues
• Consider the possibility of becoming an officer of the court and/or becoming court-appointed as a
  private investigator
• Select the appropriate procedures to use in both civil and criminal proceedings
• Identify how to prepare for providing testimony in a legal proceeding
• Describe how to conduct yourself and how to present a professional image when testifying
• Identify important terms and definitions associated with the legal system

This course introduces you to historical and modern examples of undercover investigations. Personal characteristics necessary for you to perform undercover assignments are discussed. You’ll discover the sacrifices that you must make to work in this field. You’ll examine how drug investigations have pushed the stakes even higher for undercover work. You’ll also review the management issues involved with undercover work for a private investigator.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Describe how undercover investigations began and how they’ve changed
• Identify and describe the types of undercover investigators
• List the different kinds of undercover investigations that you may be asked to perform
• Discuss undercover assignments with clients
• List the steps you would take in conducting an undercover investigation
• Describe the personal characteristics of successful undercover investigators
• Discuss what you must be prepared to do as an undercover investigator and how someone would be selected
  for various assignments
• Discuss the techniques used in undercover work
• Define pretext and roping
• Discuss insertion methods
• Describe the difficulties experienced by undercover investigators
• Identify the ethical questions and possible solutions that may face an undercover investigator

You’ll learn that there are many ways to collect corporate data. There are ethical sources you can use to get data for a client, such as public documents, aerial photographs obtained from US federal agencies, online computer databases, and reverse engineering studies. The process of obtaining information from these legal sources is referred to as competitive or corporate intelligence gathering. (In this course, the words competitive and corporate mean the same thing and are used interchangeably.) There are also many unethical and illegal ways to collect corporate data. These methods are commonly known as corporate espionage. This course Discusses unethical and illegal sources, such as stolen laptop computer hard drives, undercover employees, email intercepts, visualization fluids, trespassing, and trash can searches. Additionally, this course will demonstrate how to implement counterintelligence measures to protect your corporate clients from data theft.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Explain the methods used to collect competitive intelligence
• List methods used to commit corporate espionage
• Describe counterintelligence measures
• Set up a counterintelligence and security program
• Discuss the ethical problems associated with corporate/competitive intelligence-gathering work

This course introduces you to the historical and current developments in homeland security. It suggests some possible ways private investigation agency owners might provide services in this new area and expand their agencies, while providing a community service. The course suggests ways that, as a private investigator, you might participate in and benefit from homeland security. It also exemplifies the type of creativity needed to succeed as a private investigator. Homeland security isn’t a typical part of private investigation, or at least it hasn’t been in the past. Because of its newness, this field could bean exciting opportunity for those who are interested in the private investigation-homeland security field. Ways are described in this course for private investigators to both serve their communities and expand their businesses in the area of homeland security. Homeland security might provide effective and inexpensive marketing and public relations opportunities for private investigators. For investigators interested in security consulting, homeland security could be an introduction to this potentially rewarding field.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Describe the relationship of homeland security to private security
• Compare the relationship of homeland security to private investigation
• Find sources of valuable training material
• Stay abreast of developments in homeland security
• Arrange speaking and public relations opportunities for your agency
• Help businesses establish Business Emergency Recovery Teams, also known as BERTs

This course introduces you to procedures and techniques for conducting interviews and interrogations. You’ll learn about different types of interviews and what’s involved in planning the interview. You’ll study the process of conducting the interview. Then you’ll discover the difference between an interview and an interrogation. From this course, you’ll become familiar with interrogation techniques and legal issues. You’ll also learn about the polygraph examination. This course will discuss interviewing, interrogating, and truth-verification methods and equipment commonly used by investigators in the developed countries of the world.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Identify different types of interviews
• Consider when an interview or interrogation is appropriate
• Plan an interview
• Conduct an interview
• Discuss different techniques used to break down a person’s resistance during an interrogation
• Evaluate an interview or interrogation in terms of usable evidence
• Discuss the legal considerations of the interrogation process
• Evaluate the results of an interview and an interrogation
• Describe a polygraph examination
• Discuss the techniques used in interviewing witnesses
• Identify behavioral characteristics in truthful, deceitful, guilty, or innocent interviewees
• Discuss techniques used for interrogating an introverted person or an extroverted person
• Discuss the basics of polygraph testing

This course introduces you to fingerprinting and handwriting analysis. These two specialties, although related to private investigation, aren’t actually a regular part of the business of private investigation. The use of fingerprints has traditionally proven to be the most productive means of positively identifying individuals. Fingerprints have long been considered an ultimate objective in criminal investigations for discovering the identity of an individual. They also provide a positive means of identifying disaster victims and other deceased persons. Handwriting analysis has also been used for many years. Although the basics remain constant, the application of computers to the specialty has added many skills that must be mastered to become an expert handwriting analyst. This course will help you understand that fingerprinting and document examinations aren’t ends in themselves. They’re only tools to be used by investigators in seeking the truth.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Recount the history of fingerprinting
• Define latent fingerprints, friction ridges, and known fingerprints
• Discuss the classification systems used to categorize fingerprints
• Explain how fingerprinting fits into biometrics
• Discuss how fingerprints are taken
• Recognize and describe fingerprinting equipment
• Describe the techniques for developing latent prints
• Discuss questioned documents examination
• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of questioned document examination
• Differentiate questioned document examiners from graphology specialists
• Give a brief history of handwriting analysis and its importance
• Define a questioned document
• Recognize the importance of handwriting analysis and document examination in criminal, civil, and administrative investigations
• Describe and perform the techniques required for observation, collection, and preservation of evidence involving questioned documents and, more specifically, handwriting analysis
• Collect formal and informal handwriting samples that will be accepted—by a court or proper authority—as the
  handwriting of a particular suspect for comparison to questioned handwriting
• Submit a handwriting case to a qualified expert for examination
• Interpret the findings of the expert
• Develop a plan when additional examples are needed for identification or elimination

This course will give you a working knowledge of firearms. In this course, you’ll learn about the history and development of firearms, safe handling practices, and when, if ever, a firearm should be used. Moral, ethical, legal, and financial questions will be addressed so you can determine whether or not you should arm yourself. Very few investigative jobs require a firearm or weapon of any kind. Most private investigators never require a firearm. In contrast, security work dealing with executive protection typically involves armed professionals. As you progress through this course, determine whether or not you should carry a firearm in your work as a private investigator. You should make every effort to gain a working knowledge of all things that can possibly help or harm you as a private investigator. You could become involved in investigation cases where knowledge of firearms is important. While you may never need to defend yourself using a firearm, it’s better to be knowledgeable rather than unaware about firearms. As you continue through your career as a private investigator, you can build upon the basics about particular firearms or procedures.

Firearms may play critical roles in your work as an investigator. If you study this course carefully, you’ll acquire your basic working knowledge of firearms by the time you finish this course.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Identify the major types of firearms
• Explain how to care for and maintain a firearm so it can function properly
• Identify the federal laws pertaining to firearms and describe how to find out about the state and local laws for
  the area in which you live
• Determine if you need any special licenses, including those for a concealed carry
• Describe how to operate a firearm safely and how to store it properly
• Determine if and when you might need a firearm to perform your job
• Describe and evaluate the ballistic vests used for protection

The goal of this course is to make you aware of the skills required for executive protection and help you understand this highly specialized branch of security. Executive protection involves investigation as part of the planning and protection process.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• List the various types of people who may need executive protection
• Discuss the differences between the solo activity of bodyguard work and executive protection, a team activity
• Discuss the need for an adequate budget and adequate authority for executive protection
• Evaluate the risk of protecting a person
• Gather information on previous threats to a principal
• Describe the type of relationship that exists between a bodyguard and a principal
• Describe how a bodyguard should dress while on duty
• Outline the various protection techniques used in public, at the home, at hotels, at airports, at rallies, and
  at restaurants
• Outline the various formations used when a principal is traveling on foot
• Discuss the historical precedents of executive protection
• Explain a bodyguard’s need for skills in firearms, batons, stun guns, martial arts, and chemical sprays
• List the various types of turns used when transporting a principal by car
• Describe the function of a trail vehicle
• Outline the arrangement of vehicles in a motorcade
• Discuss booby traps and explosives and their methods of employment
• Describe the problems of dealing with difficult clients

In this course, you’ll examine the types of shoplifters, the way to spot shoplifters, and the way a retail store can protect itself against potential shoplifters. You’ll also study other ways in which businesses experience losses—from employees, vendors, and deliverers. You’ll take a look at how people try to use credit cards and a wide variety of checks to obtain money dishonestly. Finally, you’ll review the booming computer industry and how this industry has opened doors to different kinds of theft and fraud.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Identify the different types of shoplifters
• Explain how a business can protect itself from shoplifting, including good housekeeping, protection systems,
  and security guards
• Describe the various ways in which vendors and delivery persons can steal from their customers and the methods for dealing with this theft
• Identify the ways in which employees might steal from their companies in the accounting department, the payroll department, the sales department, and the shipping and receiving departments
• Assist companies in making risk management decisions
• Explain ways a business can avoid credit card fraud
• Define the various types of checks and how they’re used in fraud
• Become familiar with some methods of computer theft and methods of controlling it
• Explain how to provide protection for communications, company autos, and vending machines

In this course, you’ll learn about some of the important details of obtaining a job and succeeding in business. You’ll learn why marketing and selling are crucial to your success as a private investigator, whether you plan on going into business on your own or working for someone else. Marketing and selling are discussed and explained in an effort to help you understand their importance. Your ability to effectively market and sell yourself is important not only to your career as a private investigator but also in terms of everything you do in life. Because private investigators don’t have authority like police officers do, they must persuade witnesses and those with information to cooperate. A good private investigator needs to be a good salesperson. This course will review subjects such as prospecting, proper appearance, paths to certification, and requirements for licensing in various states and provinces. You’ll learn about preparing a letter of application and a résumé and how to conduct yourself during an interview. You’ll discover procedures for finding and applying for positions as a private investigator with a private investigation agency or a corporation. You’ll be introduced to some of the pros and cons of and requirements for starting your own business as a sole proprietor private investigator. This course will tell you about professional organizations with which you may want to become affiliated and the important issue of employer/employee relationships. The knowledge you gain from this course will help you maximize your earning potential by guiding you toward achieving a reputation as a professional. It all depends on your willingness and ability to learn what’s needed to market yourself.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Explain the difference between marketing and selling
• Make good marketing decisions for yourself and your business
• Find additional material for learning more about sales
• Explain the importance of maintaining confidentiality
• List some of the most prominent professional organizations in the field
• Write a cover letter and a résumé
• Describe the elements of a professional appearance and demeanor
• Explain how to become licensed as an investigator
• Discuss how certification relates to becoming a private investigator
• Use the telephone effectively for contacting potential employers
• Mentally prepare yourself for an employment interview