Intelligence and Private Investigation: Developing Sophisticated Methods for Conducting Inquiries [Paperback] Hank Prunckun (Editor)
I love the human element. It’s the most brilliant and least secure link in any corporate structure. The very things that make human beings so interesting and unpredictable also make them vulnerable. This “weakness,” while necessary for intimate relationships and requisite for building trust, is the crux of our susceptibility to social engineering.
A lot of private investigators like to think of themselves as spies, James Bond wannabes who collect gadgets and watch, longingly, the hard-boiled detective movies of yesteryear.
The reality is that professional investigators are, when properly trained and reasonably educated, in many ways similar to actual intelligence operatives. In the arena of corporate intelligence, this is widely known and readily accepted. We work like operatives and are even referred to as “corporate spies.”
But is there a way to tie intelligence work—collecting and analyzing data (information, knowledge) in an effort to reduce uncertainty—with private investigations? You bet.
From processes to worksheets that you can adapt to your needs, Intelligence and Private Investigation is full of useful information. There are tips for how to set up workflow, tips for analyzing threats, and tips for investigative techniques. From fraud investigations to gang investigations, this text offers a number of suggestions for handling complex problems.
Hank Prunckun assembles a crew of talented and smart investigators to chime in on various themes of intelligence as they apply to private investigations. The book, though penned by at least ten different professionals, maintains a narrative thread that is only sometimes lost in the pseudo-bureaucratic language often associated with academia. Let’s just say that the passive voice is employed.
And yet … I really enjoyed this book. Is it a must read? That may be strong, but it is definitely a should read. I am happy to have it in my library. You would be too.