Detective tools

These document scanners are easily portable and can fit inside a handbag, coat pocket, or briefcase. Simply turn it on and run the wand over the document and record the image on the internal memory, or SD card.

If you opt to buy one then choose a portable scanner that has a high-speed sensor for fast scanning. Spy cameras come in all shapes and sizes, and this piece of investigator equipment comes in handy when searching for them. The spy camera finder is a reliable and easy to use tool for finding hidden camera lenses of any type, even the latest covert cameras. Simply scan around a room or office looking through the viewing port. The lens of a hidden camera will be revealed, as a bright pin-prick of light, by the spy camera finder's LED's.

Having some spare cash or pocket change is important particularly when on mobile surveillance. You may end up tailing your target to a car park where you may need change to pay for the parking. If your target enters a restaurant and you need to follow, you will need to order something to avoid suspicion.

You may also need to leave quickly and paying by credit card will delay you. Paying by credit card also leaves a paper trail. So tuck a little spare money away in your car for those emergencies. Investigator equipment tends to use up a lot of power, particularly when on long-term surveillance. You can charge your equipment whilst your engine is running, but when turned off it's better to flip the inverter over to the spare car battery for obvious reasons.

You wouldn't want to lose your subject because you have a flat car battery. The car battery and power inverter can be hidden in the car, but with access to enable you to connect up and charge your surveillance equipment. It goes without saying the job of a PI can be dangerous at times. As well as taking self-defense classes or becoming a licensed firearms holder, there are a few pieces of self-protection equipment a private investigator can use when absolutely necessary. Pepper spray, taser, stun gun, telescopic baton, and concealable body armor, are the most common items to have to hand, but be aware of relevant stun gun and taser laws.

It's always better to have a piece of self-protection equipment with you even if you never use it. It's something we can't do without, and that's food and water. If you don't eat nutritious foods during investigations you will have mental and physical shutdown, particularly on long surveillance tasks.

Keeping your body topped up with healthy foods and supplementation will help you to focus and be on top of your game. You can buy military type rations that will last for long periods, and store them in your surveillance vehicle or car.

You should also consider getting a stock of supplements from a health shop. A good multi-vitamin with all the B-Vitamins will keep your cognitive functions sharp. Kit Bag of Spare Clothing and Toiletries. The nature of investigative work is such that you won't always know what will happen or where you will end up.

A change of clothing is good, not just to keep you from smelling, but to also help change your appearance when on surveillance. The type of clothing to keep should reflect the weather and area you will be operating in; but always keep some warm kit for nights.

It's inevitable that at some point during your investigation work you will need a first aid kit, either for yourself, a passerby, or perhaps even your subject. It's a wise point to have at least some basic first aid equipment to hand. Some plasters and bandages of varying sizes, gauze, scissors, latex gloves and face mask for protection , sterile pads, antiseptic creams, peroxide, tweezers, cotton applicators, a first aid manual.

If you really want to get training you can do a first aid course, giving you some good tools to perhaps save someone's life. Last but not least is this tool for a private investigator caught on the hop. When you have to go, you have to go. This type of equipment is obviously for taking a pee and not the other.

You will have to decide what to do in that case. A pee bottle or urination device for female private investigators would really only be necessary on long surveillance cases. But caught in an emergency, where you couldn't leave your target location, well what else can you do?

Note: A word on why this item on the PI equipment list was left until last. These guys invest a huge amount of money in the latest eaves-dropping equipment. Because listening and bugging devices come in all shapes, sizes, radio frequencies, etc, etc.

However, if you want to invest in some bug finding investigator tools, make sure you get some high quality bug detection gear and get trained on how to use it.

That concludes our list of basic private investigator equipment. Being an investigator in the field you will undoubtedly get involved in situations whereby a different investigation tool would be handy to have - so this list is not everything you will need but some of the basic equipment. There are many other useful pieces of gear and spy gadgets on the market, and if you keep coming back we will show you what these gadgets consist of.

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A big part of detective work is gathering fingerprints. Make sure you keep your fingerprinting stuff together in case of emergency! Dusting is easy--just gently sprinkle a little bit of flour or powder on the suspicious area, and then blow off any extra powder. Finally, take a piece of clear tape and press it down onto the print. Gather supplies for an evidence-collecting kit.

You may need to gather evidence that is fragile or hard to see. Start by getting a few plastic baggies to hold your evidence. A tape measure will help you measure the length of hairs or footprints you find.

Tweezers can be used to pick up tiny pieces of evidence, like hair or an earring. A magnifying glass can help you see even the tiniest evidence, like dust or dirt. Keep some chalk on hand to outline evidence you find. Flashlights are essential for nighttime work! Get walkie-talkies if you have a partner. If there are other detectives in your agency, get some walkie-talkies so you can communicate quickly when you're on the case! It's okay if you can't get them, but it will make detective work a lot more fun.

Put everything together into your kit. Make sure that everything fits, and that you can find the things you need! If you use certain things more than others, like your notebook or magnifying glass, put them on the top.

Show them that you are a good detective and can always find evidence to prove things, and also give them an encouraging smile. That will make them feel comfortable to be around you, especially as a detective. Yes No. Not Helpful 15 Helpful Unexpected events happen all the time, so being prepared would be helpful.

Just don't leave the kit lying around, for if the money is in it, and it gets stolen, it won't do you any good. Not Helpful 24 Helpful What do I do if I'm a child and I solve a case, but I don't want to tell the police? If you find something illegal, it is best to get evidence to prove it, and contact the police.

Never feel like the police won't listen. Not Helpful 31 Helpful You want to use clear tape so that when you tape for a fingerprint, you will be able to clearly see the print.

Using other types of tape won't help you and your "case" at all. Not Helpful 26 Helpful Not Helpful 20 Helpful Be direct! Tell them you've got a case of a missing dog or whatever , give a description, and ask if they've seen them. A detective has a reputation of having a secret identity or being under cover.

Writing something like 'My Detective Notebook' on the note pad you're using will clearly give that away. Not Helpful 40 Helpful Use a bag that can fit in a satchel or book bag, so you don't have a bulge from the pocket bag.

Not Helpful 28 Helpful Could I use the blue hospital gloves instead of cleaning gloves? Because I don't have any cleaning gloves lying around. These actually work better, as they're thinner and allow more tactile sensation. They're often used by police investigators in the field.

Not Helpful 8 Helpful Glitter will cover the fingerprints; flour helps to make them stand out.