Occupation information for Private Detectives and Investigators District Of Columbia

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Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent

Typical work experience needed for a job in this occupation: Less than 5 years work experience

Typical on-the-job training once you have a job in this occupation: 1 to 12 months on-the-job training

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• Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
• Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
• Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
• Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
• Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
• Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
• Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
• Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
• Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
• Investigate companies' financial standings, or locate funds stolen by embezzlers, using accounting skills.

Tools:

• Binoculars
• Biological evidence collection kits
• Desktop computers
• Digital camcorders or video cameras
• Handguns

Technology:

• Data base user interface and query software
• Electronic mail software
• Graphics or photo imaging software
• Operating system software
• Word processing software

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