Private Security and the Investigative Process

Security professionals in the field of investigative services need to wear many hats to be successful. This book is a fine start toward that end, as author Charles P. Nemeth presents a general picture of what a private investigator should learn, from personal abilities to office management. Especially worthwhile is the chapter on information collection, which would interest the novice and veteran investigator alike. As a primer for initiates into the world of investigation, the book is a success: it is clearly written, easily understood, and complete. - Security Management, July 2000

Charles Nemeth, JD, Ph.D., LL.M. is currently a professor and the Chair of the Security, Fire and Emergency Management Department at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, NY. He is a widely published author with over 30 titles to his credit and is a regular consultant to security companies. He holds a JD from the University of Baltimore and a post doctoral degree in Law, Psychiatry and Criminology, the LL.M., from the National Law Center of George Washington University. Dr. Nemeth is a recognized expert in private sector justice, ethical issues in law and legal analysis and appellate practice, and also holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Duquesne University. For more than two decades, he has practiced law in both the civil and criminal arena, specializing in personal injury and criminal litigation, and has been active in the North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania Bars. He regularly consults with collegiate institutions and private sector justice entities.

Introduction to the Private Security Industry and the Investigative Process General Characteristics of a Competent Investigator Initial Interview and Case Evaluation Witnesses Collection of Information Collection of Evidence and Preservation of the Scene Surveillance Techniques Report Writing; Investigative Method and Technique Theft/Property Offenses Investigative Method and Technique Insurance Cases Investigative Method and Technique Background Investigations The Security Office Administrative Issues