Private investigator

Private investigator
private research agent, detective
The private investigator (also called private research agent) searches for evidence in archives, databases, or in the field. They make it possible to defend the rights and interests of a person or a company, or to launch legal proceedings. Formerly unregulated, the profession today requires holding an approved diploma and registered in the RNCP (National Directory of Professional Certifications).


Professional life
Mainly liberal
The number of private investigation firms is estimated at around 3,000, with 3,000 to 4,000 professionals. The profession has few employees and is most often carried out on a freelance basis. Few agencies are able to hire a permanent employee. Most of them do not have more than 2 or 3 people: a director assisted by his wife and, possibly, a collaborator.
Regulated profession
To be able to practice, it is now compulsory to have completed training approved by the RNCP (National Directory of Professional Certifications) and to have a professional card. It is issued by the prefect and valid for 5 years. According to Ifar (Institute for the Training of Research Agents), whose diploma is approved, 65 to 80% of graduates work 6 months after their graduation. 30% of them open a practice, 20% become independent collaborators and 50% are employees. Please note: fees are set in agreement with the client, after acceptance of the mission and signature of the mandate.
Beginner's salary
From the minimum wage (variable depending on the missions and the region).
Working conditions
Go it alone
This liberal professional most often works alone. It implements all necessary means to collect the requested information: shadowing, collection of testimonies, reading of documents, consultation of databases, etc. His essential work tools are the car, the telephone and the computer.
Respect the law
Discretion is essential, so as not to arouse the suspicions of those being monitored. The investigator is also subject to professional secrecy and must ensure respect for the law and privacy. Example: if he finds the biological mother of an adopted child, but she does not wish to transmit her contact details, he cannot act against her will.
Beyond the borders
The investigator's scope of action is not limited to France. He may be required to travel abroad as part of, for example, the search for missing people or the establishment of a business abroad. In all cases, it must respect the conventions of the countries in which it operates.
SKILLS
Knowledgeable about the law
The profession requires an excellent command of the law and precise knowledge of case law. It is also essential to have acquired certain basic techniques: taking photos and videos, searching for real estate information, monitoring people, using databases, etc.
Discreet and curious
Beyond the raincoat, the floppy hat and the dark glasses... However, on the ground, discretion is essential. Demonstrating diplomacy and psychology greatly facilitates obtaining information. Finally, in this profession, curiosity is not considered a bad flaw: it is essential!
Nature of the work
Look for evidence
Investigations constitute the core business of this professional. Carried out at the request of an individual, a company, a lawyer, a bailiff, a legal advisor, etc., they make it possible to obtain information (or paper, photo or video documents) . Objective: to defend the rights and interests of the applicant, or to allow the opening of legal proceedings. This evidence is collected in accordance with the law and is often accompanied by a bailiff's report, in order to legally validate their authenticity.
For businesses...
Gone is the cliché of the detective who “tails” fickle husbands. Today, the missions are varied: industrial affairs (patent protection, counterfeiting, site surveillance, etc.), commercial affairs (unfair competition, harassment, theft, clandestine work, insurance fraud, etc.), criminal cases ( fraud, breach of trust, child crime, etc.).
...or individuals
This professional can also carry out investigations in the family context (search for missing people, heirs, etc.), but there are fewer of them than in the commercial and financial fields.
Training to enter the profession
Three diplomas allow access to the profession of private investigator. These are approved and registered in the RNCP (National Directory of Professional Certifications), a mandatory condition for being able to practice. • Title of detective and research agent