Class Content Outline
Learning Objectives – By the end of the class students will be able to:
Explain the legal responsibilities of a private investigator.
Describe ethical standards and confidentiality requirements.
Conduct a basic witness interview.
Document evidence properly.
Write an objective investigative report.
Understand surveillance fundamentals.
Recognize common mistakes that can jeopardize an investigation.
Module 1: Introduction
What a private investigator does
Types of investigations
Professional expectations
Module 2: Laws & Ethics
Confidentiality
Privacy laws
Trespassing
Recording conversations
Photography laws
Chain of custody
Professional ethics
Module 3: Interviewing Skills
Building rapport
Open-ended questions
Closed questions
Active listening
Reading inconsistencies
Documentation
Module 4: Surveillance Basics
Planning
Equipment
Vehicle positioning
Observation notes
Photography
Video evidence
Avoiding detection
Module 5: Report Writing
Facts
Observations
Chronological order
Objective language
Proper grammar
Supporting evidence
Module 6: Evidence Collection
Physical evidence
Digital evidence
Photos
Video
Documents
Social media
Preserving integrity
Chain of custody
Module 7: Practical Exercise
Investigator scenario
Module 8: Wrap-up
Review
Questions
Exam Review
Module 9: Take Exam
1 hour exam
50 questions