Investigator Career Guide and Counseling

Question: What questions does the background investigator ask your neighbors for the border patrol background investigat? My boyfriend got a call saying that the investigator was going to start the process of contacting the references he listed on his application for border patrol. He stressing about what questions they ask neighbors, bosses, etc. Does anyone know?

Answer: In most cases there are certain basic questions into the character of the applicant. Each background investigator may have slight variances in how he handles the interviews. Some questions will be formed to acquire additional information based on answers that were provided by the applicant. It really isn't anything to stress out over. Just let the investigator do his job. Your boyfriend can check his status for different steps during the hiring process via CASS. You yourself might want to check out www.bpspouses.com and he the applicant's board if you have not done so yet.

Question: How do I become a Background Investigator for the Federal Government? I was offered a position with USIS as a Background Investigator. I was granted a Top Secret Clearance which took about a year to achieve. Then, on my last interview, I thought everything went well, but to find out I was not given the position. I want the position to be full-time, not a contract position that does not give any benefits. If you have any information about where I can look I would greatly appreciate it. I have a college degree and have been in the workforce for about 3 years now. I am eager to advance my career. It is just a shame when you find something you want to do, but get turned down for it and can't even get a hint on what to do. Thanks for your information.

Answer: kjhkj

Question: How do you report a credit investigator that is using bad practices? This credit investigator calls our place looking for my brother I tell her that I will pass on her contact information to him as I always do yet she continues to use all kinds of intimidation tactics to get more information out of me. She accuses me of being my brother and berates me in a highly unprofessional way; she's high on a power trip. I call her back and ask to speak to her supervisor to which she responds 'I am my supervisor!'. I tell her that she needs to conduct herself in a professional manner if she wants people cooperation when working as a contractor like this. She accuses me of wasting her time and hangs up. How can I go about reporting her? All I have to go on is her 1-866 #, obviously she wouldn't give me the name of the agency that she is under contract for.

Answer: Try googling the 866 phone number to see what agency. Get caller-ID and see what the regular (non-866) number is from which she is calling.

Question: How can i become a paranormal investigator? have always had an interest in this field, from a scientific point of view, but how can i become an investigator?

Answer: If you are serious about 'a scientific point of view', Join CSICOP and/or JREF, read everything they produce, and if you think you can help, volunteer your services. http://www.csicop.org/ http://www.randi.org/

Question: Is a background investigator able to pull up your personnel file from a previous employer? Im applying for a law enforcement job, and am currently going through the background investigation process. In a BI, is the investigator able to pull up your personnel file from a previous job, to see if you were ever written up or had warnings in your record? Also, what type of questions does an investigator typically ask previous employers? thanks

Answer: No - the personnel files are the property of the company and can only be accessed through court order. Legally, the company can only say that you worked there from xxx to yyy dates in these departments. However, they can contact your previous supervisors (which you probably included on your application).. CA Deputy

Question: How do you become an investigator for a police department? police officer / investigator? Do you have to start off as a peace officer and then try going for investigator? or could you start off as one? Also, im going to major in Criminal Justice starting in January. IS this the right course? if not what should i major in? Thanks What i was thinking of doing first was Majoring in Psychology with a minor in criminal justice. Would that be better than just a major in criminal justice?

Answer: Gabe, Majority of the police departments require that you spend a certain number of years as a patrol officer first. This is even true when you have your masters degree. Its just procedure. I know of virtually zero department that allow you to become an investigator right off the bat. I feel that this requirement is justified. A bachelor or a masters can definitely help you when it comes to promotions, such as an investigator or a detective. If you would like to become a police officer, a criminal justice degree is a very good choice. Also, if you would like to consider psychology, with a criminal justice for a minor, then I highly recommend it. Either way you go, you should be on the right track for the police officer position. There is really no penalty if you would like to major in psychology or criminal justice. However, if you are looking to stay at police officer, with opportunities for advancement, then I do recommend a criminal justice degree on a graduate level.

Question: What's the difference between a death investigator and a medical examiner or Coroner? My 25 year old son died and a death investigator was sent out and not a medical examiner or coroner??? I have unanswered questions concerning his death. Any information given would be appreciated. No autopsy was performed on my son.

Answer: A death investigator works for the county and is sent to the scenes of death to investigate, photograph and document the circumstances surrounding the death. It is not uncommon that the medical examiner did not come, they are the doctors who perform autopsies (basically they work 9-5). They do not go to the scene of death. I presume you live in a city where they employ a medical examiner, as a coroner is an elected position (not necessarily a doctor), yet they may not always go to the scene either if there are death investigators. The investigator must have determined from the circumstances that an autopsy was not necessary or they would have ordered one.

Question: What kind of person makes a quality investigator? I know that it takes someone that's observant, and smart. But, is there anything else I should focus on if I want to eventually become a criminal investigator?

Answer: Details, details, details. Attention to details, an incredible work ethic, and that hard to describe 6th sense when it comes to smelling a speck of dirt in a bottle of cleaning fluid. Detectives (good ones) come from the best patrol officers

Question: what is the difference between a criminal investigator and a crime scene investigator? is a criminal investigator different from a Crime scene investigator? if it is then wat do each one do? what is the difference?

Answer: The answer is right in the terms themselves. One investigates criminals and the other crime scenes. A criminal investigator hunts for the bad guys. The crime scene investigator looks for clues at the crime scene and runs tests on them. The crime scene investigator reports to the criminal investigator.

Question: What will i need to become an arson investigator? Fire has been a must in my family forever I'll be with my local volunteer dept next year. My girlfriend doesnt want me to have fire fighting as a profession due to the risk. So i want to be a arson investigator. What do I need to do?...How many years of college?

Answer: Depends on the state you live in and what their requirements are. Many states have different requirements to get certified. Most schools are 4 years for Fire Science, and I know a few people who came out with the ability to be a fire investigator. My best advice to you is to join your volunteer department and see if its something you really want to do. I know for me as soon as I went in my first structure fire i was hooked. Its awsome job where you get to help people and see some amazing things. Check out the fire service thru your volunteer department and then decide if you still want to be an arson investigator or involved in the fire dept at all. Through them you should be able to start getting some of your certificates as well.

Question: What does it take to become a crime scene investigator? Im in grade 7 (12) and (after changing my mind a million times) i've decided to stick with my first carreer choice ever and become a crime scene investigator! And now im just wondering what courses you would have to take to become one, and how long does each course take and details about them. Before anyone asks, i am NOT deciding to become a CSI because of the show! I know the show is fake, im doing this because i love solving riddles (and im good at them) and i just love the fact of the job, to solve riddles by looking for clues and such. Im very anaylitical and logical. And please include as MUCH information as possible! Most info (thats useful) will earn 10 points, thx lots everybody!

Answer: When you go to college you may want to consider a degree in criminal justice or psychology. Some colleges with criminal justice programs offer classes in forensic sciences, criminal psychology, criminology and criminal law. Most college courses go about 3 or 4 months. You also need to have a good knowledge of chemistry and biology also because you will prolly have to work in a lab. Classes in logic and philosophy are also good to exercise your brain since you like to solve things and you will eventually have to.

Question: What are the steps to be coming an animal cruelty investigator? Im a junior in high school and i've already decided what career id like to pursue when i grow up. I want to be an animal cruelty investigator like the people on animal planet. I plan on majoring in criminal justice in college to help pursue that dream. What id like to know is would that be the right steps to take to be able to do that job?

Answer: that is good but something to do with animal would be even better...maybe major in C J and minor in Vetenary Science...PERFECT COMBO

Question: How does a State Bar investigator view a claim of legal malpractice? I want to present a legal malpractice claim to the State Bar regarding a personal injury (non-auto) claim. I plan to type my papers and provide the exhibts including all correspondance with my attorney. When the State Bar investigator gets the papers, what does he or she look for? What steps do they take? How does it work?

Answer: How does a State Bar investigator view a claim of legal malpractice? Seriously.

Question: What's the fastest way to become a private investigator? I have a bachelors degree in Psychology and International Relations. What job can I get that will best prepare me to be a private investigator? Can I become an investigator with just this degree? I live in a state that doesn't require licensing, btw.

Answer: If you live in a state that does not require licensing all you need to do is set up a corporation and get a business license and insurance. The best job you can get to prepare yourself is a job as an investigator. Put together a resume and apply at your states law enforcement, prosecutor or public defenders office. They are always seeking investigators. Try an internship or apply with a local PI You can join a group called IPIU, they will help you with internships and the kind of skut work assignments that can get your foot in the door. http://www.ipiu.org/forums//register.php?referrerid=62915 Also you can contact me off list about an internship. I may be able to send you some work. Here's a link to my blog about How to Become a PI. http://becomeapi.blogspot.com/ Good Luck

Question: How do you become a paranormal investigator? Is there a special school you have to go to or something? Do you have to be psychic or some kind of medium? What is the criteria to being a paranormal investigator and where could you find a job doing that?

Answer: The best thing to do is join a reputable ghost and haunting society. Most major cities, and province/state have them. Most are free to join although they may have a minimum age restriction for insurance purposes. They will train you about how to use the different pieces of equipment, how to conduct investigations, the different duties of the team members, and the importance of professionalism and ethics. Some societies require you to pass an exam before you can participate in an actual investigation. But most have lots of interesting articles on their websites that you can read and have meetings you can attend without writing any exam. It is not necessary at all to be psychic or a medium or anything like that at all to investigate. Most societies rely on more traditional methods to gather their data. So no worries there. There isn't a lot of paying work to be had as an investigator. Most people do it as a hobby out of a love to learn and an interest in the paranormal. Some people once they have established a good reputation, and have many quality references to their name can charge for visits, but even then its usually minimal. I hope that helps. :)

Question: How to become a crime scene investigator? How can I be a crime scene investigator? Do I have to be a cop?

Answer: No offense to either gator or sanwich, but you are both wrong. Crime Scene Investigators do not just pick up evidence and pass it on to scientists. Those are called evidence technicians. CSIs do blood spatter trajectory, shooting reconstructions, extensive search and recovery, advanced photography using UV/IR cameras and filters, process evidence for latent prints, cast tire and footwear impressions, locate semen and other body fluids using alternate light sources and have a general understanding of almost everything that surrounds you daily so that you know what is normal and not normal about something. And what we do forward gets forwarded to analysts, not scientists. Scientists form hypothesis's and test theories. Analysts take subject matter and analyze it to form a conclusion or opinion based on facts. And no, you do not have to be a cop. Some agencies still have sworn officers but more agencies are going to non-sworn civilians. It is getting very hard to become an investigator because of the popularity and lack of agencies hiring. You need to know that it is not like the show and that you will be working weekends, nights, days off, missing birthdays, etc. You will work through your lunch hour and be working in deplorable conditions such as rain, snow, hot , and cold. You will be inside of a home without electricity in the middle of summer while wearing a non-breathable impermeable protective suite while examining blood spatter over a decomposing body. The smell will be horrendous and will literally stick to your clothing and skin for the rest of the day. You will take samples of maggots you dug out of a persons mouth. If you still want the job, do the following. Get a degree in Criminal Justice. Intern at a police or sheriff department and practice the trade on your own.