I started looking at the forum last 2004 but was short on finances for sometime.
The first thing you really need to do in my opinion, is to check out the forum and ask questions.
Then request your Private Investigator Photo Credentials online with a credit card. After you submit the photos and documents, then in a few weeks or so you will receive your photo ID and papers you need to read, since they include the statement of ethics.
The photo ID is now issued lifetime for FREE as long as you retain your union membership each year.
Union membership plans, which include the FREE private investigators Training Manual, are here:
http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthrea...&threadid=6542
On the forum there is an area where you let people know that you have read and agree on the ethics rules that apply to anyone interested in becoming a PI.
I hope this was helpful to you, and gave you more insight.
It's easy, and more straight forward then it sounds, it's a just a little time consuming and takes a little patience.
Did you ever take any criminal justice classes? If not, you may want to look for some books regarding the types of people who commit various types of crimes.
There's also a book on the Idiot's Guide to Private Investigations (IPIU has the best price in the world!), where the author gives detailed info on how to look up information and where, depending on the type of case you are working on.
While working towards my degree in Criminal Justice, I did an independent study on Serial Rapists and introduction to police investigations.
Sincerely,
David Barsky