Alternative names: Private Detective; PI; Private Eye; Enquiry Agent.

Description: Private Investigators conduct investigations for clients and prepare reports. They are often involved with legal support work, missing people, debtor traces, process serving, surveillances and more recently forensic science. The industry is estimated to be 10,000 in the UK with opportunities covering a broad range of specialisms. Practioners are often self employed, working alone or in partnerships or companies. PI's can be co opted into commercial and industrial organisations.

Typical duties: Conduct investigations, surveillances and maintain records; debtor traces; seek missing persons; locate witnesses; take videos or photographs for use as evidence; work undercover to gather specific information; gather information for use in legal proceedings; conduct asset and liability checks; investigate the theft of private or commercial property; provide advice on corporate and personal matters; investigate insurance claims; prepare reports of investigations; take statements from witnesses.

Personal requirements: A sound character with no criminal or other convictions that would stop you getting a SIA Private Investigator's Licence, personal maturity, life skills, good communication skills, good observation skills and an ability to accept responsibility.

Qualification: Security industry Authority (SIA) Private Investigator License expected to be a mandatory requirement from 2012. Private Investigators License

Entry pathway: To achieve a Private investigators License you need to complete an approved training course, approved by the Security Industry Authority. At the present moment, the "E-assessment" EDI course in "Professional Investigations" is the only training approved by the SIA.