In criminal defense, most investigators struggle to get the training they need to conduct thorough investigations. Investigators in private practice don’t have many comprehensive training options available to them that they can do anytime, anywhere. 

This problem extends to large organizations like public defender’s offices, law offices, and nonprofits, which don’t have comprehensive training programs for their in-house investigators. It takes a lot of time, expertise, effort, and budget to compile in-house training—and this is simply not feasible for most organizations.

This general lack of training leads to a status quo where new investigators often have to learn by trial and error, which can be stressful and risky to clients (not to mention the pressure that places on new investigators). 

There Is Another Way

The solution is a training program that:

• provides in-depth training, touching on all the most relevant topics to criminal defense investigators
• presents knowledge from industry experts with a proven track record
• eliminates the need for in-house training and all the hassle that comes with that 
• gives investigators peace of mind, knowing they are certified and trained by the best of the best to conduct thorough, professional investigations.

That training program is finally here.

What the Investigative Expert Method

Will Do for Your Organization:

• Provide your investigators with confidence to interview witnesses and clients, collect relevant information, and conduct a complete investigation.
• Improve the reputation and credibility of your organization by accrediting your investigators.
• Create impeccably high standards for the way your investigators approach their work to receive better outcomes for clients.
• Streamline the onboarding process for new hires and remove pressure to create and execute a training program.
• Eliminate the need for expensive in-person training that is typically not comprehensive, does not give practical tools, and is often geared towards educating attorneys.
• Greatly reduce time-consuming in-person training from staff, management, and senior leaders.

Would you like to know the most common interviewing pitfalls and sensitive issues that could lead to a poor interviewing outcome, or worse yet, cost you the case?

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the program be available?

Our first modules will be available in early fall 2024. The rest will become available in a staggered fashion by the end of 2024 through 2025.

Will this count towards CE credits?

We are currently in the process of accreditation for CE credits. If you would like updates on when this becomes available, sign up for the waitlist. We will announce as soon as our courses carry CE certification in particular states.

Will I get a certification of completion?

Yes, you will!

What if I’m not an investigator yet? Is this program still suitable for me?

If you have some kind of interviewing experience and have worked in the legal field, social work, journalism etc., this program will be a perfect way for you to get into doing the actual work of criminal defense. If you are applying for a job as a criminal investigator or private investigator and already have some of the basic skills, this program will give you an immense advantage as an applicant.

Will this training benefit me if I’m a seasoned investigator?

Absolutely. Even Amber Kaset, owner of AKI and veteran investigator, enjoys and finds benefit from attending sessions taught by different investigators and attorneys. We are always learning in this field. You can always teach an old dog new tricks if there’s an open mind.

I’m not an investigator, but I work in a related field. Is this a good program for me?

100% yes! Here’s a little breakdown:

• Reporters/journalists. You want to hone in on your interviewing skills? Do you cover criminal cases and wish that you understood better how to analyze the cases, interviews, and documents you have access to? Want to be able to report even better and see where there were holes in a case or how police might have done things differently than they should have? This program is for you!
• Attorneys. You hire investigators on your cases often and want to make sure you understand what their job should be so you can direct the investigation better. Or, you run an office with investigative staff and want to make sure they are doing their work using best practices. This is for you.
• Podcasters. You create content about criminal cases. You’d be missing out big time if you don’t learn how an investigation should be conducted, how to conduct delicate interviews, and how to analyze a case … all from expert investigators. 
• Social workers. You already have advocacy skills and work to ensure the best possible outcome for vulnerable people. So how about ensuring justice and fairness within the criminal justice system? Your strong interviewing and assessment skills, along with a social worker’s ability to understand the big picture of their clients' lives, make you a perfect match for investigative work.

I’ve taken similar programs before—will this one be any different?

Yes! There’s nothing available on the market like this one because it covers all the main areas of investigation. We also have plans to expand our content down the line, such as including mitigation and sentencing advocacy.

How much time will it take me to complete this program?

The answer to this varies depending on which individual courses you’re signed up for. The entire program could take up to two weeks of full-time training, but it depends on the learner. This is designed to be self-paced, so it can be spread out over time.

Do you offer discounts or scholarships?

Yes! We offer group discounts to public defenders’ offices and to non-profits who operate in the criminal legal system to defend indigent clients. Regrettably, this discount is not available to people in private practice.

What is the format of the program?

The program is hosted on Kajabi, which offers a user-friendly design and employs best practices for user experience. The program is self-paced and asynchronous, so you can start any time and work at your own pace.  The course material itself is highly immersive in nature and is expertly crafted to aid understanding, retention, and practical application.

Do you offer the program in-person or consulting to organizations or firms?

Though we don’t offer the program in person yet, we are open to discussing it! We can absolutely consult with law firms, PI firms, and anyone in the legal field who needs our help to make sure their team is running smoothly.

Do you offer courses on starting a private investigator practice/business?

We are considering it. Please contact us so we can assess interest.

Will this training work if I live outside the US?

Yes! Though we are covering the way things should work as an investigator in the United States, many of these principles are universal and apply anywhere in the world—such as client connections, case organization, and interviewing.

Got any other questions?  Contact us.