Education Database Online

Learning Strategies The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our web site; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations. Investigation as a Career Various job opportunities in private investigating; how to collect and use information; how to perform private investigations; the difference between the real world of private investigations and the fictional version described by writers and moviemakers; basic knowledge of related fields you might need to call on as an investigator; personal characteristics of a private investigator.

Legal Principles and Requirements The principles of law related to private investigators; the basic legal system; Supreme Court cases and constitutional amendments related to private investigation; local, state, and federal laws that affect the work of a private investigator. Communication Skills and Investigation The importance of communication skills in private investigation; verbal and nonverbal communication; developing good communication skills; how having good communication skills helps the investigator gather information. Investigation Business Basics Running an investigation business; administrative procedures; record keeping; billing; writing reports; business forms; supplies; equipment.

Sources of Information Classifications of investigative information resources; role of the Internet in private investigation; differences between public and private records; computerized databases; field investigation. The Computer and the Investigator The role of the computer in investigation; personal computer technology; using online computer databases; field investigation. Reporting Basics of report writing; how to report to clients; appropriate use of intermediate reports and final reports; how to prepare a report; when to verbally advise a client.

Locating People and Performing Background Investigations Shows the difference between routine and specific locates; power of the Uniform Commercial Code; methods of approaching clients; accessing public records, motor vehicle reports, and credit reports; employment verification; presenting gathered information to your clients. Observation and Description How the terms of observation and description are related to investigations; systematic approach to observing persons, objects, events, and places; systematic approach to asking others for their observations and descriptions in interviews; building a rapport with a witness; observing and interpreting body language. Surveillance How to plan, prepare, and conduct a surveillance; when to use foot and vehicular surveillance; how to detect and defend against counter-surveillance; the use of photographic equipment for surveillance; the techniques of covert photography; appropriate indoor and outdoor observation posts; recording in the surveillance log.

Equipment Usage The equipment used by private investigators, including operational equipment, surveillance equipment, evidence collection equipment, and safety equipment. Evidence Obtaining, recording, preserving, and analyzing evidence; processing an arson crime scene; getting evidence admitted into court; obtaining dental records and identifying what records are important. Court-Related Issues for Private Investigation Working with the court system; the operation and procedures of both civil and criminal trials; preparing to be a witness and providing testimony.

Sub Rosa and Undercover Investigations The types of undercover investigators and the different kinds of undercover investigations; steps in conducting an undercover investigation; the personal characteristics of successful undercover investigators; the high stakes of drug investigations. Competitive Intelligence and Corporate Espionage Methods used to collect competitive intelligence; methods used to commit corporate espionage; counterintelligence measures; ethical issues associated with corporate intelligence gathering; how to implement counterintelligence measures for corporate clients. Homeland Security the historical and current developments in homeland security; the relationship of homeland security to private security; and private investigation; sources of valuable training material; business emergency recovery teams.

Interviewing and Truth-Verification Techniques Procedures and techniques of conducting interviews and interrogations; types of interviews; what's involved in planning the interview; process of conducting the interview; interrogation techniques and legal issues; the polygraph examination. Fingerprinting and Handwriting Analysis History of fingerprinting and handwriting analysis; fingerprint technology; biometrics; classification systems used to categorize fingerprints; fingerprinting equipment; techniques for developing latent prints; formal and informal handwriting samples collection; interpreting the findings of the expert. Firearms and Other Weapons The history and development of firearms, safe handling practices; moral, ethical, legal, and financial issues; major types of firearms; special licenses.

Executive Protection Differences between body guarding and executive protection; adequate budget and authority for executive protection; risks of protecting a person; protection techniques; relationship between a bodyguard and a principal. Retail Security and Loss Prevention Different types of shoplifters; how a business can protects itself from shoplifting; how vendors and delivery persons steal from their customers; how employees steal from their companies; how a business can avoid credit card fraud; check fraud; computer theft. Marketing Yourself as a Private Investigator Making good marketing decisions for yourself and your business; maintaining confidentiality; writing a cover letter and a résumé; professional appearance and demeanor; how to become licensed as an investigator*; private investigator certification.

• ION Inc. Mentorship Work Experience Option (Not required for graduation.)

Local, state, and federal investigators; what private investigators do; the detective mystique; licensing issues; the third degree; scientific methods and the research revolution in investigating.

An overview of investigating; qualities and skills you'll need; types of investigations; patterns, leads, tips, and theories; verifying the crime report; the role of ethics; basic techniques.

Personal injury; insurance fraud; product liability; missing persons; medical malpractice; corporate espionage; background checks; marital cases; wrongful death.

Crime defined; public and private crime and protection; private security vs. public law enforcement.

Protecting, photographing, recording, and reconstructing the crime scene; the command post; preserving and processing evidence; the chain of custody; marking and packaging evidence; the death investigation.

Types of interviews; suspects; victims; informants; door-to-door canvassing; interviewing children and sexual abuse victims; special interrogation aids; the Miranda Ruling; tactics to obtain confessions; recording the interview; written statements

Cultivating sources; the paper trail; law enforcement, government, and private record sources; books and directories; computerized information brokers; psychics; psycholinguistic analysis; criminal profiling.

Preparing for surveillance; going undercover; types of undercover investigations; tactical strategies; stationary and moving surveillance; if the tail is "made"; avoiding common mistakes; recording and debriefing the surveillance; legalities.

History of evidence law; the criminal law process; the civil law process; discovery; the trial; the jury; circumstantial, prima facie, and direct evidence; forms and rules of evidence; the hearsay rule; using expert witnesses; privileged communications; presenting testimony in court.

Fingerprinting, photography, blood analysis, ballistics, DNA profiling, and other criminalistics techniques; the modern crime lab; using automated information systems; electronic surveillance devices; videotaping.

Fingerprinting, photography, blood analysis, ballistics, DNA profiling, and other criminalistics techniques; the modern crime lab; using automated information systems; electronic surveillance devices; videotaping.

The store detective; the store camera system; fraudulent credit cards; bad checks; employee theft; audits; shoplifting methods; apprehending shoplifters; price switching and altering; taking a statement.

The preliminary interview; working on contract or retainer; working with domestic relations lawyers; investigating and surveilling subjects; what constitutes adultery; the unfit parent; locating hidden assets; handling evidence; client protection; documentation

Investigating property/casualty, workers' compensation, liability, disability, life/health, personal injury, and accidental death claims; how to spot fraud; surveillance and the activity check; the pretext; note-taking; testifying in court.

Celebrity and corporate clients; the command post; advance work; the travel route survey; airport and hotel security; lowering the profile; motorcades; the "arm's reach" principle; interviewing unwanted visitors; portable protection; etiquette, and protocol; using force.

Defensive shooting; the last restraint; owning, handling, and maintaining guns safely; tactical handgun operation; low-light shooting; ammunition, sights; carrying a concealed handgun.

Arson, product liability, missing person, medical malpractice, probate, and criminal defense investigations; locating heirs; security counter-measures; pre-employment checks; bounty hunting; repossession; process serving.