Indusrty News

Private Investigator Specialties

In a previous issue of OnGuard we discussed the nature of private investigation. In this issue we’ll discuss main specialties.

Computer Forensic Investigators. These investigators specialize in recovering, analyzing, and presenting data from computers for use in investigations or as evidence. They determine the details of intrusions into computer systems, recover data from encrypted or erased files, and recover e-mails and deleted passwords.

Criminal Defense Investigators. These investigators assist in preparing criminal defenses, locating witnesses, serving legal documents, interviewing police and prospective witnesses, and gathering and reviewing evidence. Criminal defense investigators also may collect information on the parties to the litigation, take photographs, testify in court, and assemble evidence and reports for trials. They often work for law firms or lawyers.

Corporate Investigators. Overall, this group of investigators is relatively small. They conduct internal and external investigations for corporations. In internal investigations, they may investigate drug use in the workplace, ensure that expense accounts are not abused, or determine whether employees are stealing merchandise or information. External investigations attempt to thwart criminal schemes from outside the corporation, such as fraudulent billing by a supplier.

Financial Investigators. These private investigators may be hired to develop confidential financial profiles of individuals or companies that are prospective parties to large financial transactions. These investigators often are certified public accountants (CPAs) who work closely with investment bankers and other accountants. They might also search for assets in order to recover damages awarded by a civil court.

Retail Investigators. This type of investigator is usually low paid. They typically work for retail stores, hotels, bars, and other cash-holding entities. Their main objectives are to control losses, protect assets, and eject undesirables from the boundaries of the facility. They apprehend persons attempting to steal merchandise or destroy property. They prevent theft by shoplifters, vendor representatives, delivery and third-party maintenance persons, and most especially, the client’s employees. Investigators also conduct periodic inspections of stock areas, dressing rooms, and restrooms, and sometimes assist in opening and closing the facility. Investigators can enforce the client’s no trespassing rules and injunctions issued to repeat offenders of the trespassing rules. Investigators may testify in court against people they apprehend and work with law enforcement to recover stolen goods and enforce restitution ordered by a court. They may also assess the client’s vulnerability to crime and make recommendations for enhanced protection.

Insurance Investigators. Insurance companies hire investigators to investigate suspicious claims such as workmen’s compensation claims and claims for lost or damaged property.

Divorce and Child Custody Investigators. Spouses in litigation against one another hire investigators to gather evidence of infidelity and unsuitability to have custody of their children.

Asset Tracking Investigators. Persons that have fled and taken steps to change their identity or conceal their new location are generally persons that have absconded with someone else’s assets, departed without satisfying money obligations, or abandoned a child.

Missing Persons Investigators. Persons that disappear for no apparent reason are tracked by investigators, usually after a client has given up hope that the missing person, often a child or other family member, who has not been found by law enforcement.

Questioned Document Investigators. In matters of forgery, falsification of documents and similar matters dealing with questions of authorship, a questioned document examiner will analyze the questioned item to detect copied and traced signatures, erasures, added content, type of paper and ink used, and fingerprints. The examiner is usually a specialist who works these types of cases exclusively.

Many investigators spend time away from their offices conducting interviews or doing surveillance, but some work in their offices is spent conducting computer searches and making phone calls. When the investigator is working on a case, the environment might range from plush boardrooms to seedy bars. Retail investigators usually work inside the premises they protect but sometimes work with others during surveillance or when following a subject. Some of the work involves confrontation, so the job can be stressful and dangerous. Some situations call for the investigator to be armed, such as during bodyguard assignments for corporate or celebrity clients.

Private investigators often work irregular hours because of the need to conduct surveillance and contact people who are not available during normal working hours. Early morning, evening, weekend, and holiday work is common. Owners of investigative agencies have the added stress of dealing with demanding and sometimes distraught clients.


Safety Inspection Checklist

Security guards and/or their supervisors might find the following checklist useful in determining safety safety hazards and the means for correcting them. Such an inspection is appropriate for the end of the year.

Is there a safety plan in place? Is there a designated safety officer?

Are inspections conducted on a quarterly basis with checklists used?

Do the checklists include issues like seasonal maintenance, security, fidelity, and risk management?

Housekeeping

Has a comprehensive survey of dangerous materials in the workplace been conducted?

Are combustible materials stored safely and removed from the worksite promptly if not needed?

Are kitchen and toilet facilities clean and sanitary?

Are holes in floors, sidewalks, stairs, or other surfaces protected until they can be repaired and then are fully repaired shortly after being identified?

Are aisles, passageways, and emergency exits kept clear of obstructions?

Are stairs and stairways provided with slip-resistant surfaces?

Is the wax used on floors slip coefficient, i.e., resistant-rated to 0.60?

Are records maintained when furnace filters are changed? Goal: Every four months.

Signage

Are directions to exits—when not immediately apparent—marked with visible signs?

Are doors, passageways, or stairways which could be mistaken for exits, appropriately marked such as “NOT AN EXIT,” “TO BASEMENT,” or “ELECTRICAL STOREROOM”?

Are exit signs affixed with the word “EXIT” in letterings at least 5 inches high and the stroke of the lettering and lease 0.5 inches wide and lit adequately?

Equipment and Tools

Are ladders maintained in good condition? Are they inspected for damage? Are joints secure between steps and side rails and moveable parts operating freely without binding or undue play?

Are tools and equipment used by employees clean, properly maintained, and in good condition?

Are appropriate safety glasses, face shields, masks, and similar equipment used while handling tools, products, or equipment which might produce flying materials or be subject to breakage?

Are tools stored and equipment located in a dry, secure location?

Employee Safety

Are sufficient employees instructed in proper first aid and other emergency procedures?

Is a written hazard communication program in existence? It should include Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), labeling of dangerous materials, and employee training on how to handle materials safely.

Are employees’ physical capacities assessed before being assigned to tasks requiring lifting?

Fire Prevention

Is proper storage practiced to minimize risks of fire and spontaneous combustion?

Are fire extinguishers for the proper risks available? (CLASS A: ordinary combustible material. CLASS B: flammable liquid, gas, or grease. CLASS C: energized-electrical equipment fires. CLASS D: for chemical laboratories only. Also, carbon dioxide, CO2, for B & C fires.)

Are extinguishers serviced, maintained, and tagged at intervals not to exceed one year?

Are alarm systems properly maintained and tested periodically?

Is the temperature of buildings maintained at least 40º at all times?

Emergency Plans

Do employees know what to do during emergencies? Are they familiar with emergency plans?

Do supervisors complete an Incident Report or Accident Investigation Report when an accident or injury occurs on the workplace property? Is the incident responded to quickly and appropriately?

Is initial training conducted on emergency plans? Is refresher training also provided a year later?

Is the emergency plan reviewed annually by management and altered in response to changing circumstances?

Water Damage Protection

Does an annual inspection occur of sources of water including toilet seals, sink faucets, drain pipes under sinks, and water pipes both inside and outside?

Is the roof inspected annually for leaks or needed repairs prior to the rainy or snow season?

If the electrical system, plumbing, and roof are over 30 years old, is an annual inspection conducted by a qualified contractor or consultant?

Are trees and shrubs close to facilities trimmed if they represent any risk of wind damage to surfaces, walls, and windows, as well as for security reasons?

Source: Security Letter, 166 East 96th Street, New York, NY 10128 – 212-348-1553.

Texas: 800.221.3386 • 713.521.9251 • Fax 800.700.0126 • 713.521.0125 • 3673 Westcenter Dr. • Houston, Texas 77042
California: 800.221.3386 • 661.393.4710 • Fax: 800.700.0126 • 661.393.4771
2809 Unicorn Road, Ste 102 • Bakersfield, CA 93308
Doing business in California under License #OE59720, dba El Dorado Security Services Insurance Agency.