Description
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
- • Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
- • Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
- • Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
- • Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
- • Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
- • Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
- • Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
- • Alert appropriate personnel to suspects' locations.
- • Perform undercover operations, such as evaluating the performance or honesty of employees by posing as customers or employees.
- • Investigate companies' financial standings, or locate funds stolen by embezzlers, using accounting skills.
- • Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
- • Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.
- • Count cash and review transactions, sales checks, or register tapes to verify amounts or to identify shortages.
- • Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
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Public Service & Safety
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Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
