Basic Training
Curricula – Starting with ethics:
There is a major concern with ethics throughout this profession which is why ethics is taught in each topic of this training program, including a few one-hour lectures on ethics by
professional investigators. Guest speakers, either live or recorded, are used throughout the training session as needed or available. These speakers have the experience to credit their
subject. There is more to adult training than teaching the subject. The school must maintain interest, props, audio, recordings, and guest speakers.
Report Writing:
The single most important phase of this profession is report writing. This being so, why is it that more than 70% of all investigators do not write a
professional report? The professional approach to report writing taught in this training is worth the cost of the tuition. Many investigators will tell you they write the report to present
the facts to their client. Sure, that is true, but not the reason the professional writes a report. The real reason is that this is the kind of advertising you cannot buy! Think about it.
The report is your only work product. Where and who will see that report while in the custody of your client? A professional report will not only impress your client but the opposing
attorney, judge, hearings officer, claims managers, or special investigation units, etc. The State of Tennessee adopted our training manual for licensing investigators in that state.
Must have been some reason!
Human Relations:
No, we do not teach hand-to-hand combat or firearms training because in over 40 years of investigative experience, the school director has never had an argument or had the need of a
weapon. On the other hand, the use of human relations was used daily. Investigation, for the most part, is dealing with people. Investigative success is not obtained in a verbal debate or
with a weapon; however, information from real investigative files demonstrate the fact that correct use of human relations does produce professional results for a winning file at time of
trial. Your success or failure as a professional investigator will more than likely depend on your ability to utilize your in-class human relations training.
Business Letter:
This is an area where assistance will be provided individually; however, a professional letter is as important to the professional investigator as gasoline to the automobile. The business
letter in all phases of the training is covered professionally. Many are surprised at the information it takes to produce a truly professional business letter. Not many are seen in the
average investigator’s world.
Professional Notes:
Notes are the foundation to most investigations. Many investigators do not know the legal reason behind those notes. Students learn all the facts about notes: why, when, and how to record
notes so they can be legally used at time of trial. Technology in this area has changed from the pen to the laptop. Today we can take the laptop into the field. Talk to it as facts
develop, these facts can immediately be received at the client’s office seven states away. Yes, notes are still the legal foundation to most investigations and must be recorded accordingly
and legally.
Statements:
Attorneys try cases on points of law and fact; the wise attorney will not ask a question in court unless she already knows the answer. The investigator’s reports and statements are two
ways attorneys get those answers. Students learn how to take statements which may be written, sworn, recorded in person, over the telephone, and the reason for taking those statements.
Students learn why the sworn statement is preferred.
Sources:
The phrase, "No investigator is better than her sources, is true." Most students entering this training have computer skills and are familiar with the internet. Some investigators rely
totally on this for information. This is a business, and it should be treated as a business. It’s best to develop private sources.
Skip tracing:
This has always been an art, and those learning to use their sources will prosper. The classroom is equipped with a computer and online data providers will demonstrate their latest
technology. The pros and cons of the use of internet will be explained.
Investigative Photography:
Only the computer has changed this profession more than the digital camera. This technology is changing extremely fast. There is much more to getting photos into evidence than just pushing
the auto button on the camera, and unless the photograph can be introduced as evidence, there is no need to take the picture.