This 460 page book is an excellent introduction for someone commencing a career as a private investigator but regrettably cannot be taken as a text book. It contains some 30 chapters on the various aspects of the type of assignments received from Solicitors, commercial companies and the public and obviously with such vast coverage it would be unfair to expect more than what is obtained in Mr. Keith´s handbook.
He is a qualified radio engineer, an ex-member of Police and he has held senior positions in the largest private investigative agency in Australia.
It therefore follows that the book has been written for the Australian private investigator and whilst a majority of its contents will be of practical help to us in the United Kingdom, there will be some which is not, i.e. where practices, law etc differ between the two countries.
The chapter on surveillance with certain reservations was, in my opinion, an excellent one, even for the experienced private investigator. The Investigators Guide is a must for the novice and an interesting addition to the bookshelf of the experienced.
ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH INVESTIGATORS
ENGLAND.
I was pleasantly surprised when Ashley Keith asked me to review his latest edition of “The Investigators Guide’. This comprehensive volume is without doubt the most essential tool in the profession of investigation.
Although the volume has been written for private investigators, Risk Managers, Loss Prevention, Insurance claims and Law Enforcement officers can ill afford to be without a copy.
It is without doubt the most exciting piece of literature ever available in the planning of an investigation and the prevention and detection of crime. Just when you thought you knew it all, Ashley Keith opens up a box of new and exciting investigative tools.
I certainly recommend anyone who is involved in law enforcement to acquire a copy. Read it and you´ll instantly become a better, more equipped investigator.
WARREN MALLARD
LYONSWOOD INVESTIGATIONS
Having known the author for some fifteen years, I can confidently say that his enormous experience as a private investigator manifests itself through out his book. I thoroughly recommend the publication to any person in law enforcement or a similarly allied field. The author has covered a number of fields so the reader is sure to learn something new no matter what their background is.
LEN MELCHIOR
EX-DETECTIVE SERGEANT
SPECIAL BRANCH NSW POLICE
I found the chapter on motor vehicle theft, very factual and informative. I thoroughly recommend any person wanting to become acquainted with idiosyncrasies of an offender, to consider the fraud profiling and other useful tips offered by the author.
RAY KUZIOW EX-DETECTIVE
MOTOR VEHICLE SQUAD
NSW POLICE
If you have ever considered becoming a private investigator and spending all day driving around in a red Ferrari, picking up beautiful bikini clad women in between chasing bad guys, you really need to read this book. Not only is The Investigators Guide chock full of useful information for the budding investigator but it also explodes a lot of myths perpetrated about the P.I. by many movies and TV shows. The Investigators Guide gives the reader a realistic look at the field of investigations as well as clearly defining the role of an investigator. Using his twenty years of experience in the field, author Ashley Keith explains the principles of investigation relating to such areas as insurance fraud, arson and family court issues as well as explaining what an investigator should not do. He book also clearly defines the minimum standard for important investigative functions like report writing, keeping of surveillance logs, statement taking, interviews and basic surveillance skills as well as touching on many of the possible avenues of inquiry open to an investigator. The Investigators Guide would be ideal for use in conjunction with an accredited course, as some of the information in the book requires further explanation. However don´t let this deter you from what I believe to be a worthwhile read.
SECURITY OZ MAGAZINE
You can contact Ashley at investigationsunlimited@bigpond.com.au