It’s not enough that a private investigator have a nose for following useful leads. He has to have some investigation gadgets and gizmos at his disposal too. Successful private eyes need clever disguises, high-tech listening or spying devices and counter-surveillance equipment in order to get the inside scoop on anyone…

Private Investigation Tools

There’s a ton of investigation tools that a private investigator can use to make his job easier. Here’s a brief look at some of the more common investigation tools from that a private eye should get his hands on.

• Diversion safes – Private investigators often hide bugs and other recording devices inside offices or homes. These safes can be in the form of hollowed-out novels, soda cans, cleaning products and food containers. Cases where videotape evidence is needed can make use of these safes to conceal small color video cameras and listening devices.
• Tie clip microphone or body microphone system – Sometimes obtaining info requires actually talking to the people under investigation or those close to them. Most of them won’t agree to having their conversations on tape. That’s exactly what these incognito microphones are for. Such apparatuses can be discreetly attached to the investigator’s tie or body and can pick up any sounds up to a thousand feet away.
• Devices that turn standard tape recorders into phone tape recorders – These doodads plug in easily to phone jacks and start recording as soon as phone headsets are picked up and stop recording the moment they’re set back on the cradle.
• Parabolic microphone systems and shotgun microphones – These are large listening instruments that are perfect for eavesdropping on conversations from remote locations.
• Ultraviolet detection kits – There are palm-sized UV flashlights, pens and specialized UV marking pens. Objects written on with these kinds of pens are detectable only when UV light is shined on them.
• Surface microphones – These are used for eavesdropping in close quarters like through walls. Such devices resemble the stethoscope used by doctors. One end is put against a wall to enable hearing of faint sounds made in another room.
• Vehicle-tracking equipment – Internet and sophisticated satellite technology allow private investigators to keep track of every place a vehicle goes. A motion-activated piece of these devices is magnetically attached to the automobile of the person under investigation, which then sends info back to the investigator. Such info is downloadable and allows for reports generation. Details can include maps of where a vehicle went as well as the routes taken.
• Digital telephone recorder – This is designed for investigators who complete telephone calls via their PCs. It tapes and saves digital exchanges along with the names and addresses of callers.
• Phone guards and tape detectors – These are for blocking others from recording an investigator’s conversations. Other telephone guards warn private investigators if secondary phone extensions have been picked up. The extension lifted by the private investigator automatically disconnects other extensions, ensuring phone conversations remain private.
• Flashlights – Snooping around in dark rooms is easily done with a flashlight. They can be large or super small in size.

With so many tools available to private investigators, cracking a case is never completely impossible. Whether it’s locating a long-lost relative, verifying employee details or checking on an unfaithful spouse, there are plenty of devices to make the job easier.

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