or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
or
Amazon Prime Free Trial required. Sign up when you check out. Learn More
Kindle Edition
Read instantly on your iPad, PC or Mac, no Kindle required
Buy Price: $58.97
Rent From: $17.67
 
 
 
Sell Back Your Copy
For a $39.00 Gift Card
Trade in
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Practical Handbook for Professional Investigators, Second Edition
 
 

Practical Handbook for Professional Investigators, Second Edition [Hardcover]

Rory J. McMahon CLI CFE (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

List Price: $99.95
Price: $65.52 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $34.43 (34%)
  Special Offers Available
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Only 11 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
Want it delivered Tuesday, January 31? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
Textbook Student FREE Two-Day Shipping for Students. Learn more

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
 
Kindle Edition
Rent from
$58.97
$17.67
 
Hardcover $65.52  
Sell Back Your Copy for $39.00
Whether you buy it used on Amazon for $38.98 or somewhere else, you can sell it back through our Book Trade-In Program at the current price of $39.00.
There is a newer edition of this item:
Practical Handbook for Professional Investigators Practical Handbook for Professional Investigators
Sign up to be notified when this item becomes available.

Book Description

0849370450 978-0849370458 February 15, 2007 2
Since the publication of the first edition of this volume, many new certification programs have begun in private and community colleges, including a course designed by the author for Boston University and a specialty certification by the U.S. Association for Professional Investigators. Reflecting the surge in interest into the investigative field, this second edition of the bestselling Practical Handbook for Private Investigators contains more than 20 percent new material and has been adopted as required material in several new certification programs.

This book describes the range of investigations for which a professional investigator's services might be required, including fraud detection and investigation, surveillance, arson and insurance, skip tracing, and missing persons. Packed with case studies and examples drawn from the author's 33 years of experience, this handy resource covers everything from how to set up, market, and run an agency to the ethics of confidentiality and conflict of interest. It includes sections on how to get licensed, how to use various lo- and high-tech investigative tools including the internet, and how to take statements and implement effective interview and interrogation tactics by the non-law enforcement professional. New information in the second edition includes an updated and revised job description, realistic earning capabilities, and future outlook for the profession; new case studies involving legal investigatory practices and how to navigate the most recent privacy legislation; additional advice on case file management with examples of new paperwork and updated forms; and increased information on fraud and domestic cases, as well as the component method of criminal defense investigations.

Designed as an up-to-date, nuts-and-bolts learning tool for students and as a day-to-day reference resource for the investigative professional of any type or level of experience, the Practical Handbook for Professional Investigators, Second Edition provides an unparalleled guide to the ins and outs of the world of today's private investigator.

Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Buy $50 in qualifying physical textbooks, get $5 in Amazon MP3 Credit. Here's how (restrictions apply)

Frequently Bought Together

Practical Handbook for Professional Investigators, Second Edition + The Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating, 2nd Edition + Navigating The Legal Minefield of Private Investigations
Price For All Three: $94.96

Show availability and shipping details

Buy the selected items together
  • In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details

  • The Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating, 2nd Edition $12.89

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Navigating The Legal Minefield of Private Investigations $16.55

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details



Product Details

  • Hardcover: 440 pages
  • Publisher: CRC Press; 2 edition (February 15, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0849370450
  • ISBN-13: 978-0849370458
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #392,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

6 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Solid Information, But Better Suited For Novices..., December 10, 2004
By 
Michael Beltz, FCI "truthsleuthpi" (Orlando, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
Please note that this review is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, an assessment of Mr. McMahon's skills in and/or knowledge of the private investigation profession. I personally consider Mr. McMahon to be one of the premier investigators in the history of the profession. Certainly anyone who has earned the coveted distinction of Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) is an elite investigator regardless of any other contributions to the profession - and Mr. McMahon's contributions are many.

As a licensed private investigator and college instructor of private investigation courses, I think that Mr. Rory J. McMahon, CLI, FCI has written a solid and informative book. Please understand however, that this book would most likely be more beneficial to the aspiring or novice private investigator (for whom I would rate it 4 stars). In my humble opinion, an experienced investigator would realize less benefit from reading this title.

Mr. McMahon has compiled a great deal of information and has covered the vast majority of topics, but this book really lacks depth (i.e. actual techniques/procedures). If you're a novice looking for information (an overview) regarding the general aspects of private investigations, then this title might be worthy of your hard-earned money (although it is a little pricey for the casual reader). If you already have an understanding of the aforementioned information, then I would humbly suggest that you pass on this one.

If you're interested in information regarding the basic techniques/procedures of the private investigation profession, then I would highly recommend (emphasis added) "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Private Investigation" by Steven Kerry Brown (ISBN: 0028643992). Brown's work is also a must-have for anyone entering or attempting to enter the private investigation profession. Brown's text is a less than a third of the price of McMahon's title and contains much of the same information, while offering substantially more depth.

As always, check with your local library or bookstore to see if you can read/review this or any title before deciding to make a purchase. This method has effectively allowed me to make the most of my investigative library budget.

I hope you found this review helpful. (...)
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Good appetizer, but not a meaty dish, January 12, 2002
By 
Z. Becker (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
While this book projects a basic overview of the investigative profession, it lacks thorough treatment of techniques and issues. McMahon does deserve kudos for devoting a chapter to ethics. Unfortunately, like many other books in this category, the author indulges in a lot of superficial introductory information and glosses over sources. This book and Brandon Perron's, are probably the most well thought-out books covering this field to date...but please, we implore you authors, to cut out the fluff and drive home more substance: tried and proven techniques, detailed (and updated) source listings (including databases and public records info) and more practical business advice. A conditional buy.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta have this book!, January 15, 2002
By 
T. Grant (Marshall, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I checked this book out of the library to use as a guide in setting up a PI agency. After one day I decided to just buy the book, despite the relatively high cost. Well worth the price. The sample forms and contracts are just what I was looking for. A great how-to book for people starting out in the industry!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews




Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
certified process server, criminal defense investigation, criminal defense investigator, special process server, presumed negligence, delivery supervisor, financial investigator, legal investigator, licensed investigators, domestic investigations, professional investigators, foreign process, defense investigators, skip tracing, initial pleading, professional investigation
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Company Two, Palm Beach, Worker's Compensation, General Services, Fourth Amendment, Fifth Amendment, New York, South Florida, Board Certified Professional Investigator, Company One, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Better Business Bureau, Board Certified Criminal Defense Investigator, National Association of Legal Investigators, Complete Data File, Dade County, Date Opened, Delray Beach, Revenue Service, Source Two, The Ponzi, Charles Ponzi, Denotes Follow-up, Fax E-Mail
New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:

Citations (learn more)
1 book cites this book:




Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums





Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject