Editing Private investigator (section)

==Undercover investigator==
An undercover investigator, undercover detective, or undercover agent is a person who conducts investigations of suspected or confirmed criminal activity while impersonating a disinterested third party. Undercover investigators often infiltrate a suspected insurgent group, posing as a person interested in purchasing illegal goods or services with the ultimate aim of obtaining information about their assigned target.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wisegeekedu.com/what-does-an-undercover-detective-do.htm |title=What does an Undercover Detective do? (with pictures) |publisher=Wisegeekedu.com |date=2015-06-26 |access-date=2015-07-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709124759/http://www.wisegeekedu.com/what-does-an-undercover-detective-do.htm |archive-date=2015-07-09 }}</ref>

Many undercover investigators carry [[hidden camera]]s and recorders strapped to their bodies to help them document their investigations. The period of the investigation could last for several months, or in some extreme cases, years. Due to the dangerous nature of the job, their real identities are typically kept secret throughout their active careers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/pdf/2009/pr442-09_report.pdf |title=Gun Show : Undercover : Report on Illegal Sales at Gun Shows |publisher=Nyc.gov |access-date=2015-07-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015122657/http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/pdf/2009/pr442-09_report.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-15 }}</ref>
Economic investigations, business intelligence and information on competitors, security advice, special security services information, criminal investigation, investigations background, and profile polygraph tests are all typical examples of such a role.

Certain types of undercover investigators, depending on their employer, will investigate allegations of abuse of workman's compensation. Those claiming to be injured are often investigated and recorded with a hidden camera/recorder. This is then presented in court or to the client who paid for the investigation.