What types of tools do I need to be successful as a private investigator?

What types of tools do I need to be successful as a private investigator?

Danno Hanks (Private Investigator) gives expert video advice on: How do I start a private investigation business?; How do I find clientele as a private investigator?; How has the private investigation business changed in recent years? and more...

The biggest tool is an inquisitive and analytical brain. You have to have computer skills. It's almost a complete necessity that you have had computer skills, because almost all of the data you are going to need on a day-to-day basis to operate your investigation business is available through proprietary databases over the Internet. If you don't have those skills, you're never going to make it. Also, unlike law enforcement who gets a pay check every month, you have to bill the client and keep on top of case files and have to follow through with the paperwork and the electronic filing of that paperwork. If you don't have computer skills, you're not going to be able to do that in a more efficient manner. The next thing is that you develop skills for analyzing a problem and know exactly what specific things you are going to need for each individual case. No two cases are the same. You might need photographic skills. You might need electronic surveillance skills. I'm not suggesting that somebody get involved in wiretapping. It's illegal, but there are certain things that you do need to know how to do, and there are certain times when certain electronic surveillance is legal and you need to know how to do it. You also need to know the laws, to know when you're able to do that.