Intelligence and Private Investigation: Developing Sophisticated Methods for Conducting Inquiries
Whether you are an experienced investigator, someone new to the field, or a person thinking of entering the field Intelligence and Private Investigation: Developing Sophisticated Methods for Conducting Inquiries, edited by Dr Hank Prunckun, challenges the reader not only to look within in an attempt to curb preconceived views or biases, but to look at the field of investigation in an entirely new light.This book shows how rapidly private investigation and intelligence is evolving, but also how it is promoting a revolution in the field. In my view, this book challenges experienced investigators to evolve and take a more holistic view of the field of investigation; moving inquiry agents into intelligence-based investigations. As a new investigator, or someone looking to build a career in this field, this book provides some exciting insights into how multi-faceted the field of intelligence and private investigation actually is, and the fascinating options available to the modern day investigator.Intelligence-led investigations is a new approach in the private investigations field that inspires investigators to adopt a range of analytical methods that add to general factual based investigations. Within the policing field, intelligence-led investigations focus on interpreting criminal activity. For private investigators there also exists an opportunity to develop interpretative skills when approaching factual and surveillance eases. For example, this book highlights the role of an analysis of competing hypotheses. Through this approach the investigator is able to begin moving from simply providing facts toproviding analysis of events and circumstances. Essentially, competing hypotheses is about brainstorming a range of possibilities in a given situation and making an argument for-or-against each of the possible hypotheses. While perhaps common place amongst government intelligence agencies, such an approach could propel private investigations into a more sophisticated form of inquiry.This book's strength is its ability to illustrate how the field-particularly in the last ten years-has evolved and how some of the techniques formerly used by military or national security analysts can be integrated into intelligence-based investigations in the private sector. Further, with the growth of social media and other open-sources of information this book discusses how such information can be gathered and used in intelligence-based investigations (by Jeff Corkill, Edith Cowan University). This is discussed within the legal and ethical constraints that Pis operate, and are covered in dedicated chapters by Professor Rick Sarre and former-Detective Chief Superintendent Mark S. Bradley, respectively.With claimants and respondents rapidly becoming more sophisticated, and clients becoming better informed, there is a greater demand on the modern day investigator. Clients not only require factual information, they demand answers; sometimes to multiple hypotheses during the course of an investigation, so this book provides both practical and theoretical knowledge as well as solutions for addressing these dilemmas. This bodes well for PIs because it assists them navigate through the "operational minefield" towards better investigative outcomes.In essence, this book provides social and historical context for the field of investigation and how today's investigators need to have a greater understanding of a very diverse society made up of a multitude of cultures and influences. This in turn allows for a greater understanding and better interaction with people and organisations in general. The book takes the reader through numerous intelligence-based topics, including target profiling (Tony Buffett, Charles Sturt University), fraud intelligence (Rebecca Vogel, Macquarie University), political intelligence (Dr Troy Whitford). . . --Robert Bostelman/Salus JournalIntelligence and Private Investigation: Developing Sophisticated Methods for Conducting Inquiries examines how private investigation has grown over the past several decades into an exacting, sophisticated, professional occupation with standards. Intelligence and Private Investigation examines key issues in what it describes as private intelligence including intelligence activities practiced by operatives other than law enforcement, national security, or the military. Eleven world experts contribute chapters addressing key practice issues concerning the skills, abilities, and knowledge necessary in the new realm of private intelligence. The initial three chapters provide a report on present-day private intelligence and offer an overview of the specifics of intelligence issues that follow. Eleven subsequent chapters take the reader progressively through various intelligence-related subjects. Major topics presented include: skills for intelligence-led private investigators, open source intelligence, target profiling, fraud intelligence, political intelligence, anti-terrorist and anti-gang intelligence, illicit organizations and financial intelligence, counterintelligence, clandestine communication methods, preparing a prosecution brief, legal issues for intelligence-led private investigators, and ethical issues for intelligence-led private investigators. Additionally, the text contains several features that will appeal to both students and instructors. These include a set of key terms and phrases, a number of study questions, and learning activities in each chapter. Written in a clear and concise style, the text provides a foundation of practical and useful information. Intelligence and Private Investigation will be a most important and unique resource for undergraduate students in private investigation courses as well as intelligence practitioners and general readers interested in self-development study.Critique: A solid, basic, fundamental, and detailed course of instruction in a single volume, Intelligence and Private Investigation: Developing Sophisticated Methods for Conducting Inquiries should be considered mandatory reading for anyone considering or even already involved in information gathering for governmental, corporate, law enforcement, or private detective agencies. Also available in an ebook edition (9780398088897, $35.95), Intelligence and Private Investigation: Developing Sophisticated Methods for Conducting Inquiries is a critically important addition to professional and academic library reference collections. --MBR Bookwatch. (Dec. 2013)