Private investigation has gone a long way since the days of Sherlock Holmes. In the past, the most comprehensive example of private investigation equipment was Holmes' chemistry set. Today, however, the array of private investigation equipment extends far beyond what one can fit in a bag.
Here are some examples of private investigation equipment:
1) Surveillance equipment – Surveillance occupies most of the private investigator's time. That is why this type of private investigation equipment is always essential to the business. There are, of course, various subcategories of this type of private investigation equipment.
a) Visual – In the past, a pair of binoculars would have been enough to serve as visual private investigation equipment. Although binoculars are still in use today, many clients require that they see what the investigator observes. Because of this, visual private investigation equipment needed to have some sort of recording device.
Today, visual surveillance private investigation equipment includes cameras (with ridiculous zoom capabilities) and video recorders (which are ridiculously small). Of course, the equipment depends on the need. Some situations call for discretion and these situations need cameras that often sacrifice detail for stealth. There are also situations which call for accuracy. In these situations, telescopic lenses are put into play.
b) Audio – Audio recording devices are natural parts of private investigation equipment. There are a lot of things that may be learned from the random statements of a subject. Audio recordings are inadmissible as evidence in courts. However, through the statements of a person, a prosecutor may learn the right questions to ask. Audio recordings can provide clues that will lead to a case's solution.
2) Forensic equipment – Private investigators need to examine various objects in order to find clues to a mystery. Because of this, they need various types of forensic equipment. They need the right private investigation equipment in order to study various clues. This includes various types of scopes, various types of chemistry implements, and various types of databases. Computers today are now part of analyzing clues. In order to make sense out of a certain clue, a private investigator needs to have a database to compare it with. This would help him or her solve the case faster.
3) Defensive equipment – There are many instances in which a private investigator may find him or her self in danger. For cases like these, some sort of implements are needed. Some, of course, are able to carry guns. However, not every state allows private investigators to carry firearms. In these instances, they use non-lethal weapons like:
a) Yawara-bo - This implement comes in the form of a small flashlight or ballpoint pen. With proper training in the use of the yawara-bo, a private investigator can subdue opponents. It is often used to strike pressure points in conjunction with jiu-jitsu techniques. This piece of private investigation equipment is useful and easily concealed. The best thing about this is that it cannot be easily used against the investigator in the case that it is taken from him forcibly. It takes skill to use a yawara-bo properly.
b) Stun gun – There are also concealable weapons which deliver an electric shock to an opponent. A stun gun today may require a license, but it can save lives. It can easily subdue opponents or at least stun them enough to allow a private investigator to escape a bad situation. All in all, this is one of the best pieces of private investigation equipment around.