The process of investigation -- Investigation terminology -- Investigation defined -- The subject -- Interview v. interrogation -- Fact-finders v. investigators -- Decision-maker v. prosecutor -- Misconduct and malfeasance -- B. the investigative process -- The elements of a successful investigation -- The eight methods of investigation -- The seven phases of investigation -- The differences between the public and private sector -- An historical perspective -- Mission -- Advantages of the public sector -- Advantages of the private sector -- More sophisticated crimes and perpetrators -- Greater use of technology -- More litigious workforce -- Expanded rights and protections of employees -- The fundamentals of fact-finding -- The history of the modern fact-finder -- The lincoln years and origin of the secret service -- The texas rangers -- The creation of the fbi -- The birth of corporate investigations -- The role of the fact-finder -- The fact-finder defined -- Gather facts and evidence -- Document and catalog -- Report findings to a higher authority -- Provide recommendations only when asked -- The objectives of the investigation -- Determining the objectives -- Modifying the objectives -- Potential and intended outcomes -- Prosecution -- Discipline -- Restitution -- Evidence collection and preservation -- The definition of evidence -- Hearsay evidence -- Admissibility and materiality -- Spoliation of evidence -- Evidence retention -- Chain of custody -- The methods of investigation -- Physical surveillance -- Physical surveillance defined -- Stationary and moving surveillance -- Evidence collection and preservation -- Electronic surveillance -- Electronic surveillance defined -- Methods and applications -- Research and audit -- The fundamentals of research and audit -- Statutory prohibitions and restrictions -- Sources of information -- Criminal courts -- Courts and public filings -- Forensic analysis -- Chemical analysis -- Accident and incident reconstruction -- Computer forensics -- Forensic document examination -- Deception detection -- Forensic psychology -- Other forms of forensic analysis -- Undercover -- Undercover investigations defined -- When should undercover be used? -- When undercover operations are not appropriate -- Selecting a vendor -- Selecting the undercover operative -- Operative placement -- Deciding the number of operative to use -- The cover story -- Project management -- Communications -- Drug investigations -- Theft investigations -- Case closure.