There is definitely more to being a private detective than chasing villains. Right from unearthing top secrets of organizations to verifying credentials of prospective marriage partners, detectives or private investigators play an important role in lightening the burden of the law and order enforcement agencies. These crime solvers are professionals who can address the issue of civilian security adequately. Read on to learn more about what it takes to become a private detective.

Work Profile:

Thrill, adventure, and an element of danger are a part of this profession, while tremendous job satisfaction and the challenging nature of the job are sufficing offsets. The primary work of a detective is fact-finding, which involves probing, investigation, and knowledge of techniques such as fingerprinting, photography, and tracking. Generally, a client discusses the case with the detective; thereafter, relevant details are secretly recorded with the help of a recording machine or special miniature cameras to aid the investigation. The private investigator’s work involves a lot of deskwork as well, sitting in front of the computer and making sense of all the information. On the field the investigator plays a big role in sighting clues for investigation—so the work ranges from something as mundane as serving papers to something more exciting like surveillance and observation.

Knowledge of forensics sometimes may be of great help but such cases are handed over to the specialists in the field.

A detective can be hired to provide information pertaining to:

1. Domestic problems: divorce, child custody, unnatural deaths, information on the family of a prospective bride or bridegroom.
2. Property disputes: ownership of property and wills.
3. Industrial espionage: Credentials of potential employees, cases of theft and fraud involving executives passing on industrial patents and knowhow to rival organizations.
4. Corporate intelligence: Information about organization, infringement of trademarks and copyrights, submission of tenders, pirating goods, verification of a loan applicant, or a prospective employee, etc.
5. Investigative journalism: evidence in matters critical to the society, working in tandem with the news agencies for procuring.
As of today, a detective does not require a license to operate within India.

Prerequisite Skills:

The typical qualities required of an aspiring detective include excellent communication skills, dynamism, agility, and an alert, analytical, and innovative mind.

Career Scope:

Factors such as the worsening security situation over the last decade or so and the regular police force having its hands full have resulted in the increasing demand for detective and security agencies across the country.

Job opportunities in investigation are available in law enforcement agencies, legal system, police, and investigative services of government and private agencies.  A private detective can also be hired by individuals. Almost all the major detective agencies in India are branches of registered agencies abroad. Thus, the chances of finding a job abroad are also quite good. For trained forensic personnel, job opportunities are present in the national intelligence services; whereas to work as an undercover police detective, one first needs to apply for a position as a police officer. After gaining considerable experience, you can opt to run your own agency.

Salary information:

A fresher in a detective agency makes around Rs 4,000–9,000. In cases of family disputes the remuneration is quite high and varies from Rs 8,000 to 15,000. Individual cases, involving shadowing, can fetch between Rs 1,500 and Rs. 3,000 per day, which can go up to Rs 15,000 per day depending upon the level of experience.

Required Qualification:

As of today, a detective does not require a license to operate within India; once the Private Investigator Bill, introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2007, is approved, professionals and agencies may have to be licensed. Till then, no particular academic qualifications are necessary to enter the profession. But it is always advisable to acquire a graduation certificate by specializing in the kind of investigation one wishes to take up. To be a corporate investigator most companies require you to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field. However, graduation in any discipline makes a person eligible to take up diploma courses. Also, a degree and/or a diploma course in criminology and forensic sciences will be of great help.

Few Institutes Offering Courses in this Field:

• The Indore Christian College, Indore
• The National Institute of Private Investigation, New Delhi
• ACE Detectives India International Securities, New Delhi
• Lancers Network Limited, New Delhi
• All India Private Detectives Association, New Delhi
• Anna University, Chennai
• The Canadian Academy of Private Investigation (online correspondence course in undercover detection and investigation).