Private investigation has gone a long way since the days of Sherlock Holmes. In the past, the most comprehensive example of private investigation equipment was Holmes' chemistry set. Today, however, the array of private investigation equipment extends far beyond what one can fit in a bag.
Here are some examples of private investigation equipment:
1) Surveillance equipment – Surveillance occupies most of the private investigator's time. That is why this type of private investigation equipment is always essential to the business. There are, of course, various subcategories of this type of private investigation equipment.
a) Visual – In the past, a pair of binoculars would have been enough to serve as visual private investigation equipment. Although binoculars are still in use today, many clients require that they see what the investigator observes. Because of this, visual private investigation equipment needed to have some sort of recording device.
Today, visual surveillance private investigation equipment includes cameras (with ridiculous zoom capabilities) and video recorders (which are ridiculously small). Of course, the equipment depends on the need. Some situations call for discretion and these situations need cameras that often sacrifice detail for stealth. There are also situations which call for accuracy. In these situations, telescopic lenses are put into play.
b) Audio – Audio recording devices are natural parts of private investigation equipment. There are a lot of things that may be learned from the random statements of a subject. Audio recordings are inadmissible as evidence in courts. However, through the statements of a person, a prosecutor may learn the right questions to ask. Audio recordings can provide clues that will lead to a case's solution.
2) Forensic equipment – Private investigators need to examine various objects in order to find clues to a mystery. Because of this, they need various types of forensic equipment. They need the right private investigation equipment in order to study various clues. This includes various types of scopes, various types of chemistry implements, and various types of databases. Computers today are now part of analyzing clues. In order to make sense out of a certain clue, a private investigator needs to have a database to compare it with. This would help him or her solve the case faster.
3) Defensive equipment – There are many instances in which a private investigator may find him or her self in danger. For cases like these, some sort of implements are needed. Some, of course, are able to carry guns. However, not every state allows private investigators to carry firearms. In these instances, they use non-lethal weapons like:
a) Yawara-bo - This implement comes in the form of a small flashlight or ballpoint pen. With proper training in the use of the yawara-bo, a private investigator can subdue opponents. It is often used to strike pressure points in conjunction with jiu-jitsu techniques. This piece of private investigation equipment is useful and easily concealed. The best thing about this is that it cannot be easily used against the investigator in the case that it is taken from him forcibly. It takes skill to use a yawara-bo properly.
b) Stun gun – There are also concealable weapons which deliver an electric shock to an opponent. A stun gun today may require a license, but it can save lives. It can easily subdue opponents or at least stun them enough to allow a private investigator to escape a bad situation. All in all, this is one of the best pieces of private investigation equipment around.
When people talk about private investigation, they rarely see the business side of it. People think that private investigation is all about mind work and creeping around following people, but not many people think about the costs and profits of the business. Private investigation is a business; there can be no doubt about that.
Portrayals of private investigators in popular media and literature make it seem as if private investigators had unlimited resources to use in their investigations. Some fictional private investigators, like Sherlock Holmes, make it seem as if the private investigation business was lucrative. They portray situations when a client is willing to part with very large amounts in order to get help. Reality, however, is so much more brutal than fiction.
Rarely do private investigators get called upon by heads of governments. Rarely do they get millions of dollars in jewels or cash as rewards for their brilliance. In fact, when you examine the situations of private investigators today, you would realize that the reasons most continue in this line of work are not monetary in nature. Many private investigators continue in the line of work seeking that single case that would affect them personally. They seek that one single case that would change their lives as private investigators. But that’s another subject for another article.
Of course, the business of private investigation would not exist today if people did not want the services. The main reason why private investigation is still in business is the fact that they trade on information. Today, information is one of the most valuable resources in existence. The business of private investigation is in demand because of the fact that information is also in demand. People today realize that the right piece of information can
be very valuable in the right hands.
Before we talk about the profits, let us talk about the expenses. Information, as said before, costs money. Bribes are a common part of the private investigation business. The fact is that many people require a bit of tongue lubricant before they give out information.
Surveillance also costs some cash. There is, of course, the transportation expense which refers to the gas you put inside the car. Or the fare you use to take a long trip. There are also the various equipments used in surveillance such as recording devices and binoculars. Before you encounter these expenses, however, you would also need to invest some cash to pay for your licenses and office space.
Let's face it: private investigation is not a cheap business to run. The main reason that the private investigation business requires much commitment is the fact that it can be very expensive. The private investigation business, though, does have its perks.
For one thing, the expenses of solving a case are reimbursed by the client. Of course, you need to have a clear plan regarding the things you are going to need in order to be able to present a viable budget plan to your client. This, of course, will help potential clients decide whether or not they want your services.
Usually though, the private investigation business today rarely involves detective work. Most people in the private investigation business spend their time in courts as expert witnesses. They may be called on by various organizations to give testimonies as experts in the field.
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