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Usha Albuquerque
The role of the detective has always fascinated us-cloak and dagger, shadowing, looking for clues, examining finger prints. Heavily fictionalised and dramatised through cinema, private detectives have always evoked the layman's curiosity. But for the real life counterparts of these fictional heroes, work is not as ``elementary, my dear Watson'' as Hercule Poirot may make it out to be, even though their exploits may be fascinating.
`Snooping' on people and being privy to their dark secrets, helping to catch culprits and investigating crime may seem exciting and glamorous, but it is all dangerously hard work. Over the years, the scope of private investigators has grown to a point where private detectives today play an indispensable role, especially in a cosmopolitan milieu where the nature and complexity of cases go beyond the scope of the police. Today detective services can favourably be compared with institutionalised investigative agencies like the police of CBI.
Surprising as it may seem, a largenumber of women have chosen to enter this field and are as good, if not better than their male counterparts at their jobs.
The work of a private detective can include cases of several types. These could be cases of domestic problems which require the detective to investigate into the misdemeanors of the spouse, divorce cases, child custody etc. They could be family disputes which usually include cases of dispute over property or a will.
Private detectives are also called upon to handle industrial espionage which would include cases theft and frauds, involving employees robbing industrial secrets, patents, technical know-how and so on. Some companies also require the credentials of potential employees to be checked. Some private detectives primarily concern themselves with the training and supply of security guards and bodyguards for organisations, industrialists and hotels.
Work
The work or task of a detective begins after the client brings his case to discuss with the detective. Subsequently acase is registered (akin to an FIR by the police) and all details are recorded in a confidential file. Then a blueprint for the mode of investigation is prepared by the detective and a team of investigators is assigned various tasks to implement the plan. Each investigator normally handles only a part of the entire case and none of them have knowledge of the case as a whole. the actual work of investigation involves the use of various sophisticated technique such as trailing, interviewing, fingerprinting, photographing or even video-taping the movements of a person.
Entry
No specific academic qualifications are necessary nor do detectives in India require a licence to enter the market. However specialist knowledge of forensic science and other such fields can be an advantage. Largely due to their training in the use of firearms and combat, a large number of retired army and police personnel often join this profession. But there are good opportunities opening up for young people in this fieldtoo.
However those looking for adventure in the area of detective services need to investigate their own aptitudes towards detective work. More than any other ability, an acutely keen sense of observation is a primary requirement. While this can be acquired through training and experience, an intrinsically keen eye is essential. Patience, concentration, perception, and presence of mind are other abilities required in this profession. In addition, those who enter this field need to be aware of the risk to personal safety, and therefore have the mental and physical strength and agility to handle any eventuality.
Training
The Indore Christian College is the first and at present the only academic institution in India to run a one-year diploma course in the Art of Private Investigation, although some detective agencies offer in-house training programmes for their staff. Candidates need to be graduates in any discipline to be eligible for the one-year diploma programme.
Careerprospects
Students who have completed the one-year course can easily find employment with private detective agencies in the country and even abroad, as all registered private detectives have good coordination with foreign agencies. Employment opportunities can also be found with agencies which hire security personnel.
With some experience, detectives may even set up their own private agency or provide specialised services.
With the rising spate of crime and growing domestic tensions, private detectives are often hired, especially in big cities for their professional expertise. The remuneration in this field is also commensurate with the jobs required to be handled. In fact, cases which involve shadowing can fetch a detective anywhere between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 a day, in addition to travel expenses and other allowances. Some reputed detectives charge as much as Rs 15,000 per day for shadowing.
Entrants who join a detective agency can expect to be well compensated, the pay increasing withexperience and an individual's skills.
With the increasing demands made on the police force, and rising crime, the common man today is relying more and more on private detective agencies for protection. So those who would like to follow in the footsteps of Poirot, Perry Mason, Karamchand or even James Bond, this is one career you should start shadowing right away.
The writer is the author of Penguin India Career Guide, Vol I & II. She is also a newsreader on Doordarshan and producer of Hum Honge Kamyaab.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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This story was printed from Net Express located at http://www.expressindia.com. Net Express provides a portal to India, with news from The Indian Express and The Financial Express along with sites on travel and tourism, the entertainment industry, the power sector, the environment and much more.
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