The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Private Detectives and Investigators.
Knowledge:
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Skills:
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Abilities:
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Tasks and Activities
Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Private Detectives and Investigators.
Occupation Specific Tasks:
Alert appropriate personnel to suspects' locations.
Apprehend suspects and release them to law enforcement authorities or security personnel.
Conduct background investigations of individuals, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status or personal history.
Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, and receive instructions.
Count cash, and review transactions, sales checks, and register tapes in order to verify amounts and to identify shortages.
Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
Investigate companies' financial standings or locate funds stolen by embezzlers, using accounting skills.
Monitor industrial or commercial properties to enforce conformance to establishment rules, and to protect people or property.
Observe and document activities of individuals in order to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, and disturbances in order to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, and to gather information for court cases.
Perform undercover operations such as evaluating the performance and honesty of employees by posing as customers or employees.
Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons, or information about individuals' character or financial status.
Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax and legal filings, and other resources in order to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
Testify at hearings and court trials to present evidence.
Warn troublemakers causing problems on establishment premises, and eject them from premises when necessary.
Write reports and case summaries to document investigations.
Generalized Work Activities:
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Detailed Work Activities:
Analyze existing evidence or facts analyze handwriting
Apprehend or arrest suspect or perpetrator of criminal act
Balance cash register
Communicate details in protective services settings
Compile biological data for criminal investigations
Compile evidence for court actions
Compute financial data
Conduct legal research
Conduct legal searches or investigations
Conduct surveillance to obtain information for law enforcement
Consult with managerial or supervisory personnel
Cooperate with court personnel or other law enforcement agencies
Enforce laws, ordinances, or regulations
Follow law enforcement methods or procedures
Gather physical evidence
Identify fingerprints
Identify firearms or weapons
Investigate complaints, disturbances, or violations
Locate persons ( skip tracing )
Make decisions
Manage detailed records or files in law enforcement setting
Obtain information from individuals
Operate cameras
Oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
Patrol or guard area or premises
Prepare reports
Read maps
Review facts to determine if criminal act or statue violation is involved
Testify in court for accident and criminal cases
Use accounting or bookkeeping software
Use firearms
Use interviewing procedures
Use knowledge of investigation techniques
Use oral or written communication techniques
Use surveillance techniques
Verify investigative information
Education and Training
Occupation:Private Detectives and Investigators Most Common Educational/Training Level:Work experience in a related occupation Related Instructional Programs: Criminal Justice/Police Science
