On Jan. 1, 1983, the internet was developed. Since then, the world has never been the same. The vast expanse of the world wide web is home to a plethora of information that’s unfathomable to most common minds. For Private Investigators, however, the internet is much more than an abyss of information. It’s a resource for conducting successful investigations and uncovering pertinent information. Here, we’ll explore how modern Private Investigators are using the internet to their advantage and what you can learn from them.
Exploring the Dark Web
Although the average internet user is aware that the internet contains sensitive information and some illicit content, the actual extent of its depth is unknown to most of us. The dark web is a side of the internet that’s unfamiliar to most and only accessible via a uniquely designed browser. The dark web is home to sites and pages that most people do not want to see. For Private Investigators, however, the dark web can be extremely beneficial in conducting online investigations. Examples of cases Private Investigators use the dark web for include:
- Kidnapping cases
- Cases involving illicit activity
- Illegal sales
- Drug cases
Private Investigators who wish to use the dark web to conduct investigations should be trained in the appropriate ways to use it and access it so they’re not doing anything illegal themselves.
Utilizing Trusted Databases
The amount of credible information that can be found online is astonishing. The internet is full of trusted databases from some of the world’s top resources. The best Private Investigators know how to analyze data and use these resources to their advantage. Examples of beneficial data include:
- Personal documents
- Official Paperwork
- Court records
- Background information
- … and more
Databases are often offered by universities, hospitals, newspapers, and government agencies. Private Investigators who wish to use secure databases might need to purchase subscriptions or set specific log-in credentials to access them.
Joining Professional Associations
Conducting Social Media Investigations
More than 3.5 billion people across the world use social media on a regular basis, making channels such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat a prime source of information for Private Investigators. With the right training, Private Investigators can uncover evidence to help them solve their cases from news feeds, photos, and videos found on people’s personal social media pages. Private Investigators who are using social media to conduct investigations need to be careful not to use their personal social media pages so their activity isn’t recognized.
NITA Improves Online Investigation Skills With Private Investigator Courses
If you’re a Private Investigator who is ready to improve your online investigation skills, there’s no better time than now to enroll in online courses through the National Investigative Training Academy, Inc. (NITA). All of the courses offered by NITA are authored by industry professionals and designed for 100% student satisfaction.
You can enroll in online pre-licensing, continuing education, or professional development courses through NITA at any time. Once enrolled, you can access course material from your computer or mobile device 24/7 from anywhere in the world. The National Investigative Training Academy, Inc. offers students the convenience of achieving their investigative training goals through an easily accessible online platform.
To advance your career as a Private Investigator, call (800) 730-6482 or fill out our online contact form today.
Our enrollment counselors are here to answer any questions you might have about our state- and board-approved status, pre-licensing training, or professional development programs.
