Be Your Own Private Eye

Computer forensics is an exciting specialization for a private investigator.  As more and more crimes are committed using the computer, you can just imagine the increase in the need for a private investigator who can handle these cases. 

In the fiscal year of 2005 alone, the FBI has already handled over 9,500 cases related to computer forensics.  That’s more than double the number of cases recorded in 2000. Imagine the number of cases you will be handling in your private practice.  Interested in this career?  Here are some tips on how to become a private investigator specializing in computer forensics:

Have the right education.
Computer forensics is not just a simple cut-and-paste job involving basic computing skills.  Your job is not only to recover and secure computer data, but also to examine them.  You’ll need to know the right lingo for this.  Otherwise, when you’re faced with a well hidden or encrypted file, you’ll be stumped.

You need computer smarts for this type of job.  A good background in computers or information technology (IT) is a good start.  You can also obtain a certification as CCE or Computer Examiner or go further as a CFCE or Certified Forensic Computer Examiner.  Another certification that will also be a good stepping stone is the CEECS or Certified Evidence Collection Specialist.

You will also need the right training in order to know how to handle your computer evidence.  Unprotected evidence or those that have been compromised as a result of haphazard methods of computer forensics will often be rejected by the courts.

Have the right equipment.
Other than know-how, you’ll need a good set of computers to work as a private investigator-cum-computer forensic expert.  You’ll also need the right software. These programs are designed to recover deleted, damaged or encrypted files and make your job a lot easier and faster.

Obtain a license.
A private investigator job will require a license in majority of the states in the U.S.  If you’re a computer forensic expert and want to turn your skills to detective work, your state will probably require you to obtain a P.I. license.  Check your local state law.  An unlicensed investigator could get fined or even imprisoned for practicing.

Know the legalities.
As a private investigator specializing in computer forensics, expect to be handling sensitive and highly confidential data.  Not every deleted or encrypted file you retrieve can be used as evidence.  Although a background in Law is not required, you should at least know how the legal system covers for the type of evidence you will be retrieving.  Otherwise, what you may be doing will be useless or even illegal.

Governments recognize that full realization of the child’s rights is important for the long-term development of a certain nation.  In fact, it has caused a myriad of suggestions and schemes from law enforcers, legislators, and even businesspeople in a frantic attempt to protect every child against abuse and inequalities.

Yet, with the growing trend in technology, more and more people easily get away from punishments.  As they should be held responsible for violating the rights of the child, they can delete or trample virtual information in ways they thought could no longer be retrieved.

Thanks to the wonders of computer forensics, even the most sensitive information that has long been executed by some unscrupulous criminals can still be used as a solid evidence of prosecution.   

Generally, in order to establish facts in court, investigators use the science of forensics through technology and the different fields of science such as biology, psychology, and chemistry.

Nowadays, as technology advances to the next millennium, computer forensics is gradually setting a trend to unravel the mystery behind crimes where computer technology is involved.

Take the case of child pornography.  Most investigators find it hard to retrieve evidences especially if it involves electronic data.  Nowadays, child pornography are commonly disseminated through websites. Here, anybody can download pornographic materials such as video or graphic images for free or with corresponding charges.

Transactions from such websites can easily be deleted or erased from the computer’s memory.  With this, computer forensics is applied to extract data from the computer’s hard drive and other parts of the computer’s hardware.

Generally, there are three data needed to gather to establish verifiable facts that will lead to the crime — active, archive, and latent.  Information from active and archival data can easily be retrieved while latent data are those that had been overwritten (partially or wholly) or deleted. 

Various computer forensics tools are used to retrieve, analysis, and interpret data contained in a computer’s hard drive.  A special software is used to retrieve data that has been corrupted, deleted, or overwritten.  Examples of computer forensics tools used in analyzing files are EnCase and Forensic Toolkit.

To track down people who are involved in child pornography, emails and even chat history can be analyzed.  With specialized search warrant, the court can request email servers to retrieve data contained in the accused or defendant’s email account.  This action is deemed legal by law as long as police officers are present during the operation.

All of these things can easily track down a crime involving child pornography.  No evidence tangible at the time of execution of the crime is less valued because computer forensics can technically recover all lost data and present them as evidence to establish facts regarding such cases.

With the advent of technology, crimes and other problems are easier to deal with because they can analyze, interpret, and retrieve data more efficiently.  In this way, solving problems is more efficient and less troublesome because you have different tools to support you.

Today, there is a growing trend of investigative strategies being utilized in the Internet.  Before, private investigators need to rely on their gadgets and other paraphernalia to seek answers and unravel the mysteries behind various cases. But now, things have definitely changed.  Since the inception of online technology, people can now utilize the tool into ways they have never even imagined.

One of the emerging tools that can be utilized by private investigators and those who wish to track down somebody else’s location is the tracking solution tool, particularly FindWhere technology.

With the state-of-the-art facilities, FindWhere can readily provide services that are designed to hunt down people and confirm and establish facts leading to the answers of such mysteries.  This technology is equipped with modern technology such as GPS tracking.  With this tool you can easily verify private investigation, conduct surveillance, manage remote workforce management, etc. It’s like being there without letting the people in that place know you can monitor them.

With nearly 200,000 mobile devices and 18,000 users, FindWhere is considered to be the choice of most customers when it comes to tracking services.

With FindWhere, you can readily secure your assets, ensure your children’s safety or your home’s security even if you are away, manage your business, and definitely take control of your whole life without even having to be physically present all the time.

With FindWhere, success in your business and security in your life and your family is not about how they operate or how you can easily get in touch with the people close to you just to ensure their safety. It’s more of seeing them from afar and monitoring them wherever they are.

Hence, all you get is a peace of mind.  You no longer have to worry and accumulate wrinkles in your face.  All you have to do is to sit and relax and let FindWhere do the entire tracking job for you.

With FindWhere technology, crimes, frauds, and other unscrupulous activities will have no room in today’s society.  It’s an everyday life free from worries because you know everything that matters to you is being monitored.

The services of PI agencies are contracted for several reasons. And one of the most popular types of cases that require the services of a private investigator would be locating or tracing missing persons.

 Skip tracing, as this type of investigation is called, can both be easy and difficult.

Most PI agencies will be able to quickly find persons who are lost or missing. PI agencies that specialize in tracing have the necessary investigative techniques and information bank to help them locate people, but keep in mind that their services do not come for free.

While finding and hiring PI agencies that specialize in tracing or skip tracing work has its advantages, many of the techniques that private investigators make use of can be actually done by private individuals like you.

So before finding PI agencies that specialize in tracing, you may consider the following things that PI agencies do in tracing people which you can do yourself and save you money in finding missing family members. But also bear in mind that the effectivity of the three following techniques can be drastically affected by the type of person that is missing; that ranges from a person who avoids you intentionally to one who has simply relocated.

PI Agencies Start With Directory Assistance

Private investigation agencies are masters of the obvious. In finding people, they try to make things simple and cost efficient as possible. Investigators working for PI agencies have saved a lot of time and effort in finding missing or lost persons by using ordinary phone books. You can also use this technique in finding your loved ones yourself.

PI Agencies Try To Use Missing Person’s Network

The first few sets of people that private investigators check out are the missing person’s relatives, friends, and officemates. The personal network of the victim or the subject provides a great source of information regarding that person. In your own capacity, you can also try to incorporate this technique in finding missing family members.

PI Agencies Make Use Of Profiling Forms

Private investigators do not rely on memory alone. They make use of profiling forms to put important details about the person they are looking for. This form has a lot of blank spaces, but as the investigation or tracing progresses, these blanks are slowly filled up with data that can pinpoint anyone’s location. Doing your own tracing, a profile sheet or form can greatly help you in connecting the dots that ultimately lead you to your missing person.

 In the past few years, thousands of bugging or surveillance devices have been installed throughout the United States and parts of Europe alone.

These devices are used by governments, business organizations and even private citizens for the purpose of gaining the upper hand against their rivals or enemies. However, many sectors have expressed their disapproval regarding surveillance devices; citing reasons that range from human rights violation to unfair competition.

Nevertheless, gathering evidence and even bringing action against illegal surveillance have been very difficult given the vast advancement in surveillance technology in the recent past. Hence, bugging and surveillance activities, legal or illegal, have become widespread and largely uncontrolled; such activities are said to increase two hundred percent annually.

Imagine yourself under surveillance; with all your private life becoming an open book for other people to see. If you are a businessman, being bugged could mean a great deal of losses or, worse, ruined opportunities. Therefore, in this cloak-and-dagger age, it is imperative to find PI agencies specialized in technical surveillance countermeasures.

But to avoid making unnecessary expenses, there must be underlying reasons for your suspicions about being bugged. Finding PI agencies that are good at bugging countermeasures without basis is plain and simple paranoia and a waste of your money, time, and effort. The following are some of the most common and compelling considerations before you set out to find PI agencies specialized in technical surveillance countermeasures.

Your Competition Knows Your Business Secrets

Among the usual targets of bugging or surveillance are trade secrets, customer files, and newly-discovered technology. Companies with closely guarded trade secrets are, ironically, the most vulnerable when it comes to illegal surveillance. If you are one of these companies, and suddenly your business rival gets hold of the same technology or business secrets that you have painstakingly developed over the years, then you may have been a victim of illegal surveillance.

You Are A Celebrity

Being a celebrity, you become an automatic target for bugging. As your own personal life can be considered public property, many people would want to know all about what you do. If you are a celebrity, you are marked by stalkers and gossip traders; hence, you must continually make sure that your home, place of work, and even your vehicle are free from technical surveillance.

You Are Involved In A Lawsuit

If you are one of the parties embroiled in a particular litigation, you would want to win your case. But your opponents may suddenly acquire the trump hand because many lawyers and other private investigators have resorted to the use of technical surveillance to gather evidence pertaining to the cases they are involved in. To protect yourself from litigation espionage, you need to find PI agencies that focus on technical surveillance countermeasures.

Finance and insurance are two of the numerous industries beset by fraud. Big companies and ordinary people fall prey to fraudulent transactions involving millions and millions of dollars annually. This is why in the United States, PI agencies have been commissioned by big organizations and private individuals to investigate and help other law enforcement entities in anti-fraud work. 

Anti-fraud work is more than just the usual surveillance and cold calling approach. There are important factors that a client must consider in finding PI agencies that specialize in anti-fraud work. The following four characteristics must be present in anti-fraud PI agencies and the individual investigators that work in them.
 
Proper Certification

PI agencies that specialize in anti-fraud work should be composed of certified fraud examiners. These examiners are considered specialists in detecting, scrutinizing, and preventing fraudulent activities. Certified fraud examiners have exceptional techniques and skills that are not present in ordinary investigators or law enforcement agents. PI agencies employing certified fraud examiners are usually picked over ordinary agencies when it comes to anti-fraud work.

Extensive Training And Education

Many potential clients of PI agencies are very concerned about the educational attainment of the investigators. In almost every state in the US, investigators employed by PI agencies are required to have licenses and pertinent training apart from the minimum of a four-year college degree. However, it must be noted that the most competent investigators are trained and educated in law enforcement or public safety institutions.

Mastery Of Relevant Tools

PI agencies that specialize in anti-fraud work must be made up of competent investigators who must be knowledgeable in the use of pertinent investigative devices and current technological platforms used by fraudsters. This is especially applicable if the evidence gathered in anti-fraud work is going to be used in court proceedings. Many anti-fraud cases resulted in fraudsters getting off the hook because the evidence gathered by private investigators is not admissible or qualified enough in court.

Wide Area Of Operation

A growing number of cases of fraud involve people or organizations that run across several states or even countries. Good PI agencies that concentrate on anti-fraud work must be able to operate or function in a wide geographical area. The result is anti-fraud work efforts do not necessarily go back to square one whenever the investigation leads to another state or country. PI agencies with strategic partners in other parts of the country and the world will be able to work a particular case anywhere in the US or the world.

The popularity and accessibility of the Internet has enabled many people to communicate, transact business and exchange goods virtually all over the world. The Internet technology has really created wonders when it comes to efficiency and speed of business transactions. However, the Internet has also become a platform to commit cyber theft, fraud and other crimes.

As a result of the increasing number of computer and cyber theft, not only in the United States but also in different parts of the world, a new type of private investigation has emerged. Nowadays, people who want to become private investigators could specialize in digital forensic investigation.

Certification in Network Security Technology And Computer Forensic Is A Must

Digital forensic investigators usually deal with computers and Internet technology. Since these things are not learned in high school, you need to take courses that will equip you with the knowledge in digital investigation. Simply knowing how to use the personal computer and the Internet is not enough. You need further studies in computer security threats, digital data or evidence recovery, networking techniques, systems analysis and other relevant topics.

Work Available For Digital Investigators

Law Enforcement And Military

During the infancy stage of computer and Internet technology, law enforcement agencies did not require full time computer experts to help them carry out their jobs and collect evidence. Nowadays, however, the computer and the Internet have become staple technology in most companies and households that it is hard to collect evidence without requiring the help of Internet and computer experts.

Digital investigation knowledge can be used not only in securing evidence, but also in amassing security information. The military and other law enforcement groups need digital data experts to check gazillions of information over the Net that may help identify terrorist or criminal activities.

Corporations

In recent years, the occurrence of identity and personal data theft has surged. With the creation of software, such as malwares, spywares, and other malicious software, companies are being threatened by security breaches and data thefts. In order to counter such technological problems, companies, particularly banks and retailers, need the services of digital investigators.

Private Investigation Agencies

The experts of digital investigation can also become private investigators or employees of private investigation agencies. Nowadays, almost majority of the work hours of private investigators are spent on collecting and analyzing digital information. Thus, experts in digital information are really needed in this field.

If you are a fan of the popular television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, you will realize that digital forensic investigation can be a fun and exciting career. Moreover, since more and more people around the globe are using computer and Internet technology in both their private and public lives, you can be assured that the need for digital investigation experts will continue to increase in the future.

Helpful Links:

http://www.waco.tstc.edu/nst/nst_forensics/outlook.php
http://www.gcn.com/print/24_32/37481-1.html

Books, movies and stories have romanticized the image of private investigators. At mere mention of private eye, a moniker for private investigators, people will immediately think of pistol-brandishing debonair gentlemen clad in dark cloaks or leather jackets. In reality, however, the work of private investigators is not always as dangerous and exciting as depicted in movies, television programs and novels. In fact, not all private investigators are given permit to carry firearms.

Since the US is a federal country, each US state has different set of rules and laws. This is also true when it comes to issuing licenses to carry guns to private investigators. If you are planning to become a private investigator and are wondering if you can carry handgun or any type of firearms in your state, you need to ask the proper authorities. Usually the office of the attorney general or the sheriff, or the department of public safety is the one issuing such permits or licenses.

One state in the US that does not allow anybody, except peace officers, to carry firearms is Wisconsin. Even people working in the private investigation field are not allowed to carry a gun while working. If you are a private investigator in this state, you might want to learn ways to protect yourself (such as self defense techniques and/or martial arts) without using a gun or other weapons that can be classified as firearms.

Some States That Issue Permit To Carry Firearms To Private Investigators

Since the right to protect oneself is in the bill of rights of the constitution of the United States, permit to possess and carry guns, rifles and other types of firearms is available to private investigators in many states. The following are some of the US states that allow private investigators to carry weapons for their protection:

California

A private investigator is only allowed to carry a gun when working if he or she has a firearm permit issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs. However, it is important to note that private investigators cannot brandish their guns without an exposed firearms permit.

Florida

Private Investigators, who are more than 21 years old and above, need a class G firearms permit in order to carry handguns and pistols. However, private eyes cannot just carry the firearms anywhere and at anytime.

Maine

Merely having a license to operate as a private investigator does not entitle you to carry firearms. A private investigator needs a license to carry concealed weapon issued by the State Police Chief.

These are just some of the states in the US that allow private investigators to carry guns. It is important to note that states have different policies with regard to carrying firearms so private investigators need to do their research before bringing a gun. Moreover, a permit to carry firearms issued by one state may not be honored by another, so be careful in bringing a concealed weapon when you are traveling to different states.

Helpful Links:

http://drl.wi.gov/prof/pris/pfaq.htm
www.southportland.org
http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/investigations/firearms.html
http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/faqs/pi_faq.htm

As a private investigator, part of your job is to find missing people.  It can get exciting and it takes a lot of common sense, creativity, hard work and long hours – something you can look forward to if you will be looking for people who don’t want to be found, such as debtors who suddenly disappear with someone else’s money.  Here are some common sense tips you can use in tracing absconding debtors:

Learn the law.
The past few years saw some controls imposed on tracing agents and private investigators when it comes to the ways and means they use to find absconding debtors.  Recent changes implemented include the necessity to collect data without deception and for a limited number of purposes only. 

‘Fairly obtained’ will mean that as a private investigator trying to trace absconding debtors, you will need to inform your source of information about your identity and what purpose the data will be used for.  That means that the old P.I. style of pretexting (’lying’ and ’stretching the truth’) will be considered unfair and immoral.  Obtaining an absconding debtors’ tax details through impersonation, for example, will not be allowed.

Grab a copy of the 1998 Data Protection Act first to see what types of restrictions are in place.  You’ll find certain data collection requirements here, very important if you want to be operating according to what is legally imposed.

Gather recent information and work backwards.
You’ll need to find out about the absconding debtor’s last known address and his place of employment.  You can then start your investigation here, gathering information from family, neighbors, landlords, friends and co-workers. 

Use public-access records.
These include credit reports, phone directory listings, social security, information on public tax, utility bills (gas, water, electricity, etc.), job application info, credit card applications and checks on the debtor’s criminal background.  These information are legally available to you as a private investigator, so no need to worry about breaking the law.

Make online searches.
Don’t underestimate online search engines.  You’d be surprised at the kind of information you’ll find here.  Start with Google, MSN Search and AltaVista, among others.  If that debtor has an entry or a webpage to his name, you’ll find it online.  You can also use free people search services, such as those offered by SkipEase.com and other similar services.

Cross-reference available data.
Still missing the absconding debtor?  Try cross-referencing data to see if a second or third party can point you to where the debtor is, or at least provide you with some useful information.

Try other sources of information.
Police records and publications are also excellent sources of data when trying to trace absconding debtors.  If the person has a prior record with the police or had been involved in an unrelated case such as traffic violations, complaints, crime, etc., you can find useful information here.

As a private investigator with a specialization in computer forensics, one of your first concerns is your forensics lab.  This is an essential facility in your job because you will be spending much of your private investigation work here.  Here’s how to setup your own computer forensics laboratory:

Find an area or office you can use.
Of course, you can work from home if you prefer, as long as you have the proper permits.  A separate office will be more convenient but if you want to cut down on rent, find an area where you can work in peace, where data will be protected from damage. 

Build a reliable forensics lab.
Your main concern as a computer forensic P.I. is to protect your data from compromise, so make sure your lab and equipment are up to this task.  You also have to show your clients that the area where you will be working is reliable and safe from break-ins, theft and of course, the elements.

Some must-haves: sufficient power (preferably electrical), an alarm system, windows and door locks, network cables, internet services and phone lines.  You should also have enough furniture for research and storage.  Get storage cabinets with locks because these are where your precious data will go.

Get the appropriate hardware and software.
Your computer is the heart and soul of your operation.  If you must spend a lot, spend for this equipment.  Get a new computer or at least, a very reliable one with a big capacity memory.  A fast computer is a must because some computer forensic cases involve large volumes of data.

Use a reliable operating system to work with.  Buy software that will be helpful to your computer forensics work.  Try programs like Norton Ghost, DriveSpy, PDBlock, EnCase, PDWipe, Nero or some other authoring software you can work with.  You’ll need programs to help you retrieve, recover and duplicate data, especially the ones which are the most difficult to obtain.

Accessories such as digital cameras, extra hard drives and cables should also be on hand.

Get a good backup and equipment maintenance system.  In case something happens to your computer, you’ll have something to fall back on.  You should also spend for maintenance to keep your computer updated and prevent any problems.

Get equipment for communication.
You’ll need a phone, a printer and a fax machine to communicate with your clients.

Stock on office supplies.
You’ll need CD-ROMs or CDRs, floppy disks, pens, pencils, paper, the works.  You might also want to invest in a good shredder to get rid of very sensitive information.  Your clients appreciate discretion so if you need to throw away some documents, make sure no one else reads them.

A logbook is also an excellent addition for your recordkeeping as a private investigator, just to make sure you know who goes in and out of your computer forensics lab.