PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR TRAINING

TOPICAL OUTLINE

I.       INTRODUCTION

The Criminal Justice and Security Institute of Virginia is certified by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to teach a course of instruction leading to state certification of private investigators. This course of instruction consists of a total of sixty-one hours of classroom lectures, demonstrations, group discussions and practical exercises.

II.       PURPOSE

The purpose of this student guide is to provide each student with the goals and objectives of the private investigator course, as directed by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Each student enrolled in this course must attend all scheduled training sessions, participate fully in discussions and practical exercises, and maintain a score of 75% or better on each examination in order to successfully complete the compulsory minimum training requirements for state certification as private investigators.

III.      UNITS OF INSTRUCTION

The following units or instruction have been established by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services as compulsory minimum training standards for private investigators:

1.     Private investigator orientation

Learning Goal: The student shall have thorough knowledge and understanding of the pertinent sections of the Code of Virginia, and its supporting administrative rules & regulations regarding the establishment and functioning Private Security businesses in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Training Objectives: Upon completion of this section of the course, the student shall:

1. Know and understand the pertinent sections of the Code of Virginia and how they directly relate to the duties and regulations of the private investigator.
2. Know and understand the Department of Criminal Justice Services Private Security Services Regulations.
3. Know and understand the Department of Criminal Justice Services training rules and how they pertain to private investigators.
4. Understand the function of the private investigator in Virginia.
5. Identify the court systems on the federal, state and municipal levels.

2.     General Investigative Techniques

Learning Goal: The student shall have thorough knowledge and understanding of the various investigative techniques, tools, and resources available to the private investigator.

Training Objectives: Upon completion of this section of the course the student shall:

1. Understand surveillance techniques and the different types of surveillance.
2. Be able to perform in-depth background checks.
3. Understand the important aspects and techniques of a liability investigation.
4. Understand the qualifications for undercover investigators and how to successfully plan and conduct undercover operations.
5. Understand the proper techniques for conducting domestic relations investigations.
6. Understand the importance of custody investigations and the techniques for conducting them.
7. Become familiar with the techniques for conducting corporate investigations.
8. Understand the importance of, and the resources available for research.
9. Understand the importance of how to conduct jury research.
10. Become familiar with several different types of photographic equipment and how photography aids an investigation.
11. Understand the importance of forensic analysis of evidence.
12. Become familiar with additional tools that may be used during an investigation (sketching, polygraph, voice stress analysis, and other chemical and electronic test analyses).

3.     Interviewing Techniques

Learning Goal: The student shall develop skills in the use of interviewing as a major tool of the investigative process.

Training objectives: Upon completion of this section of the course, the student shall:

1. Identity the principles and techniques of interviewing.
2. Describe the advantage of a cool, impartial, but not impersonal interview.
3. Define a "good listener".
4. Identify the advantages of communication effectiveness.
5. Understand the proper procedures for recording an interview.
6. Successfully complete a series of practice interviews.

4.     Criminal Law & Procedure and Rules of Evidence

Learning Goal: The student shall have thorough knowledge and understanding of criminal law and the ideology behind state, federal and municipal laws.

Training Objectives: Upon completion of this section of the course, the student shall:

1. Have an understanding of the various types of law and the history behind the law.
2. Be familiar with the safeguards and individual rights which are guaranteed in the U. S. Constitution.
3. Identify the differences between felonies and misdemeanors and the classifications within each.
4. Be familiar with the various types of crimes and the differences between them.
5. Understand how to perform a general investigation for specific types of crimes.
6. Have an understanding of criminal procedure.
7. Understand "due process."
8. Be able to define and understand the elements of various crimes.
9. Be familiar with the rules of evidence.

5.     Civil Law & Procedure and Rules of Evidence

Learning Goal: The student shall have knowledge of the history, investigation, and procedures involved in civil litigation.

Training Objectives: Upon completion of this section of the course the student shall:

1. Define civil law and explain the differences between civil and criminal law.
2. Identify judicial procedure as it relates to civil proceedings.
3. Define tort and explain the different types of torts.
4. Understand private process service and how it directly relates to the duties of the private investigator.
5. Have knowledge of how to serve process on citizens and businesses.
6. Understand the rules of evidence as they relate to civil proceedings.

6.     Collecting and Reporting Information

Learning Goal: The student shall have knowledge and understanding of the techniques required to produce the specific information necessary to provide a detailed and complete report to the client.

Training Objectives: Upon completion of this section of the course, the student shall:

1. Understand the Freedom of Information Act.
2. Understand the Privacy Act of 1974.
3. Understand the Federal Wiretapping Law.
4. Understand the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
5. Clearly understand which information should be entered into his/her notes.
6. Understand the fundamentals and techniques of good report writing.
7. Have improved skills in gathering and reporting investigative information and data.
8. Have a thorough knowledge of how to present testimony in court.

IV.    INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS

All instructors at the Criminal Justice and Security Institute of Virginia have been certified by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Our three instructors have a combined total of more than 100 years experience in directing and supervising criminal investigations, law enforcement and security operations for federal and state government agencies, as well as for private industry. Our instructors have also served as adjunct faculty members at several universities and colleges.

V.     INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

1. Lecture
2. Demonstration
3. Group discussions
4. Practical exercises

VI.    EVALUATION

Examinations will be given upon completion of the course. As stated above, a score of 75% or higher is required on each examination for successful completion of this course.

60 hours of classroom instruction - does not include two practical exercises and comprehensive exam. These components add approximately 10-12 hours to the course.

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