Private Security and the Investigative Process

Detailing best practices and trade secrets for private sector security investigations, Private Security and the Investigative Process, Third Edition provides complete coverage of the investigative process. Fully updated, this edition covers emerging technology, revised legal and practical considerations for conducting interviews, and new information on case evaluation. Written by a recognized expert in security, criminal justice, ethics, and the law—with over three decades of experience—the updated edition of this popular text covers concepts and techniques that can be applied to a variety of investigations including fraud, insurance, private, and criminal. It details the collection and preservation of evidence, the handling of witnesses, surveillance techniques, background investigations, and report writing. This new edition includes: More than 80 new or updated forms, checklists, charts, and illustrations Updated proprietary information from Pinkerton, Wackenhut, and other leading security companies Increased emphasis on software and technological support products A closer examination of periodical literature and government publications Authoritative, yet accessible, this book is an important reference for private investigators and security professionals. Complete with numerous forms, checklists, and web exercises, it provides the tools and understanding required to conduct investigations that are professional, ethical, and effective.

Table of Contents:
Introduction to the Private Security Industry and the Investigative Process The Trend toward Privatization The Investigative Process: Private Security’s Role      Types of Investigative Activities      General Investigative Methods General Characteristics of a Competent Investigator Introduction Introduction Objectivity and Investigative Practice Logic and Investigative Practice Perseverance, Diligence, and Investigative Practice Human Relations Skills and Investigative Practice Ethics and the Investigative Process Initial Interview and Case Evaluation Introduction Initial Interview      Miscellaneous Matters at Initial Interview      Recording Interview Impressions Case Evaluation Witnesses The Purpose of Witnesses Types of Witnesses      Missing or Unknown Witnesses      Lay Witnesses      Expert Witnesses      Character Witnesses Processing Witnesses Conclusion Collection of Information The Nature of Information and the Rules of Collection Leads and Contacts for the Private Investigator Public Sources of Information      Federal Agencies      State and Local Agencies Private Sources of Information      Directories, Databases, and Atlases      Libraries      Newspapers      The Internet      Professional Associations and Groups      Auto Records The Background Investigation Real Property Title Search Collection of Evidence and Preservation of the Scene Introduction Preliminary Strategies and Responses Scene Sketches and Other Graphic Portrayals      Rules for Sketching      Rules for Measuring Photographic Evidence      Location of Crime Scene      Photography and Special Applications Drug and Alcohol Abuse Evidence Documentary Evidence      Police Records      Medical Records Records Involving Economic Damages Preservation of Evidence Surveillance Techniques Purposes and Functions Tactics and Strategy in Surveillance      What Are the Steps of Surveillance?      What Is the Exact Objective of Surveillance?      Where Is the Location of Surveillance?      When Will Surveillance Occur      Who or What Will Be Surveilled? Surveillance: Preparatory Steps      Personal Behavior and Attire      Surveillance Equipment Types of Surveillance      Stationary Surveillance      Moving Surveillance      Hybrid and Other Special Surveillance Techniques Surveillance Forms and Reports Report Writing Introduction      Efficiency in the Investigative Process      Reports and Memory      Reports and Organizational Method during the Investigation      Reports as Proof of Services Rendered Characteristics of Solid Report Writing      The Role of Note Taking      The Essential Qualities of a Solid Report: Accurate, Brief, and Complete      Report Design or Format Standard Reports for the Private Investigator      Activity Reports      Major Criminal Documentation Investigative Method and Technique: Theft/Property Offenses Introduction Shoplifting      Rationalizations and Justifications for Shoplifting      Shoplifting Methods Internal Theft by Employees      Reasons for Theft      Theft Strategies      Investigating Theft      Obtaining Confessions or Statements Burglary Defensive Techniques to Minimize and Identify Burglary and Property Losses      Tactics and Strategies Missing or Stolen Property Investigative Method and Technique: Insurance Cases Introduction Application and Method      Property Claim for Cases of Arson      Workers’ Compensation      Disability Claims      Auto Liability Claims Special Problems: Auto Theft, Fraud, and Parts Pilferage      Auto Identification Systems Investigative Method and Technique: Background Investigations Introduction Background Issues      Establishing Identity      Employment History      Credit History Alternative Methods of Background Review      References      Consultative Services      The Polygraph Test Comprehensive Background Report The Security Office: Administrative Issues Some General Principles of Office Administration Time-Keeping Methods The Value of Administrative Documents Filing Systems      Set-Up and Maintenance      Tickler Files Software Considerations Billing Conclusion Index Each chapter concludes with a "Notes" section

About the Author :
Charles P. Nemeth JD, Ph.D, LL.M, Chair and Professor of Legal Studies, Homeland Security and Criminal Justice,California University of Pennsylvania, California, Pennsylvania, USA