| PROGRAM TITLE | Comprehensive Private Investigator Pre-Licensing & Professional Training |
| DURATION | 5 Days | 40 Total Instructional Hours |
| FORMAT | In-Classroom, Scenario-Based & Field Exercise Training |
| REGULATORY BODY | South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) |
| CERTIFYING AGENCY | Alden Wheeler Detective Agency |
| TARGET AUDIENCE | Pre-licensing candidates and working PIs seeking full professional training |
| MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT | 20 Students Per Session |
| LOCATION | Alden Wheeler Detective Agency Training Center — South Carolina |
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Alden Wheeler Detective Agency Five-Day PI Training Academy is a comprehensive, instructor-led program covering every essential skill and legal requirement for professional private investigation practice in South Carolina. The curriculum is designed for both pre-licensing candidates and experienced investigators seeking to advance their professional competencies.
Each day consists of eight (8) hours of instruction combining classroom lecture, case studies, hands-on exercises, scenario simulations, and written assessments. Students completing all five days receive a certificate of completion and are prepared to meet SLED licensing requirements.
Program At a Glance
| Day | Focus Area | Key Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundations & Licensing | SLED requirements, eligibility, law, ethics, contracts, business operations | 8 |
| 2 | Surveillance & Technology | Fixed/mobile surveillance, GPS tracking, photography, video, counter-surveillance | 8 |
| 3 | Legal Framework & Evidence | Privacy law, camera placement, chain of custody, SC statutes, CWP | 8 |
| 4 | Advanced Operations | Drone operations, process serving, report writing, court testimony, affidavits | 8 |
| 5 | Professional Practice & Assessment | Reciprocity, mileage/billing, ethics, scenario exercises, final examination | 8 |
DAY 1
Foundations of Private Investigation & SLED Licensing
8 Hours of Instruction | Modules, Exercises & AssessmenT
DAY LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand the legal framework governing private investigators in South Carolina
- Master SLED licensing requirements, application process, and ineligibility criteria
- Establish professional business foundations including contracts and client management
- Understand the defined scope of PI authority — what is and is not permitted
- Apply ethical standards to professional PI practice
| 0800–0830 | Welcome, Introductions & Program Overview | 30 min |
| 0830–1000 | MODULE 1-A: Introduction to Private Investigation in South Carolina | 90 min |
| 1000–1015 | MORNING BREAK | |
| 1015–1145 | MODULE 1-B: SLED Licensing Requirements & Application Process | 90 min |
| 1145–1230 | MODULE 1-C: SLED Ineligibility — Disqualifying Factors | 45 min |
| 1230–1315 | LUNCH BREAK | |
| 1315–1445 | MODULE 1-D: Contracts, Client Agreements & Business Operations | 90 min |
| 1445–1500 | AFTERNOON BREAK | |
| 1500–1600 | MODULE 1-E: PI Authority — What You Can and Cannot Do | 60 min |
| 1600–1645 | MODULE 1-F: Professional Ethics & Standards of Conduct | 45 min |
| 1645–1700 | Day 1 Review, Q&A & Written Quiz | 15 min |
Day 1 Detailed Module Content
Module 1-A: Introduction to Private Investigation in SC
- History and evolution of the PI profession in South Carolina
- Role of SLED in licensing and regulating private investigators
- Overview of SC Code of Laws Title 40, Chapter 18 — PI Act
- Types of PI work: domestic, insurance, corporate, legal support, missing persons
- Career paths — agency owner, employee investigator, contract investigator
- Professional associations: SCALI, NALI, World Association of Detectives
Module 1-B: SLED Licensing Requirements
- Minimum qualifications: age, citizenship, background
- Application documents required — complete checklist
- Individual PI license vs. Agency license — requirements and differences
- Employee investigator registration under agency license
- Fingerprint cards — submission to SLED and FBI
- License fees — current schedule and payment methods
- Processing timeline and provisional status
- Annual renewal requirements — CE hours, fees, updated information
Module 1-C: SLED Ineligibility Factors
- Felony conviction — automatic disqualification
- Crimes of moral turpitude — definition and examples
- Prior license revocation — reciprocal ineligibility
- Drug/alcohol history — SLED evaluation standards
- Mental health adjudication — process and appeal
- Dishonorable military discharge
- False statements on application — criminal and civil consequences
- Class Exercise: Review case scenarios — eligible or ineligible?
Module 1-D: Contracts & Business Operations
- Essential contract elements — offer, acceptance, consideration
- PI services agreement — comprehensive template walkthrough
- Retainer agreements — structure, billing, replenishment
- Attorney-client privilege considerations when retained by counsel
- Non-disclosure and confidentiality provisions
- Termination and dispute resolution clauses
- Record retention requirements — minimum 5 years
- Business entity considerations — LLC, sole proprietor, corporation
- Insurance requirements — E&O, general liability, auto
- Hands-On Exercise: Draft a client services agreement
Module 1-E: PI Authority — Can & Cannot Do
- Authorized activities — surveillance, interviews, public records, skip tracing
- Prohibited activities — impersonation, wiretapping, trespass, pretexting
- Citizen's arrest — when applicable and extreme limitations
- Relationship to law enforcement — cooperation and boundaries
- Handling evidence — what to do when you witness a crime
- Undercover operations — legal parameters
- Case Study: Real-world PI license revocations in SC — lessons learned
Module 1-F: Professional Ethics
- PI Code of Ethics — professional standards
- Client confidentiality vs. mandatory reporting obligations
- Conflicts of interest — identifying and managing
- Social media and the PI — professional conduct online
- Avoiding entrapment, harassment, and stalking allegations
- SLED complaint and disciplinary process
DAY 2
Surveillance Operations, GPS & Technology
8 Hours of Instruction | Modules, Exercises & Assessment
DAY LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Plan and execute fixed and mobile surveillance operations
- Apply counter-surveillance detection and evasion techniques
- Deploy GPS tracking devices within the boundaries of SC and federal law
- Capture professional-quality photo and video evidence
- Maintain proper chain of custody for all surveillance evidence
| 0800–0830 | Day 2 Opening, Day 1 Review & Preview | 30 min |
| 0830–1000 | MODULE 2-A: Principles of Surveillance — Planning & Operations | 90 min |
| 1000–1015 | MORNING BREAK | |
| 1015–1115 | MODULE 2-B: Fixed Surveillance Techniques | 60 min |
| 1115–1230 | MODULE 2-C: Mobile Surveillance — One-Car & Multi-Car Techniques | 75 min |
| 1230–1315 | LUNCH BREAK | |
| 1315–1415 | MODULE 2-D: GPS Tracking — Law, Deployment & Data | 60 min |
| 1415–1430 | AFTERNOON BREAK | |
| 1430–1545 | MODULE 2-E: Photography & Video Evidence | 75 min |
| 1545–1645 | PRACTICAL EXERCISE: Surveillance Scenario Simulation | 60 min |
| 1645–1700 | Day 2 Debrief & Written Quiz | 15 min |
Day 2 Detailed Module Content
Module 2-A: Surveillance Planning
- Pre-operational intelligence gathering — subject profile, vehicle, routine
- Mapping the operational area — entry/exit points, cover positions
- Equipment preparation checklist — cameras, batteries, logs, identification
- Legal review before deployment — no-trespass zones, private property boundaries
- Coordinating with client — objectives, deliverables, reporting protocol
- Creating a surveillance log template
Module 2-B: Fixed Surveillance
- Vehicle selection — nondescript, functional, legally parked
- Positioning — angles of observation, blind spots, field of view
- Maintaining cover over extended periods
- Neighborhood surveillance — blending into environment
- Using natural cover and commercial locations
- Documentation at fixed position — time-entry log, photo/video log
Module 2-C: Mobile Surveillance
- Single-vehicle mobile follow — distance, positioning, anticipation
- Two-car and three-car surveillance teams — communication and hand-off
- Following in urban environments — traffic, signals, parking structures
- Following in rural areas — open road techniques, horizon surveillance
- Losing the subject — protocol, recovery, client notification
- When subject is burned — aborting to protect case integrity
- Dictation techniques while mobile — hands-free documentation
Module 2-D: GPS Tracking
- US v. Jones (2012) and its impact on PI GPS use
- SC law on electronic tracking devices
- Ownership consent requirement — vehicle title verification
- Employer/employee fleet tracking — written policy requirements
- Domestic cases — legal landscape for spousal GPS tracking
- Device selection — battery life, accuracy, geofencing features
- Placement — undercarriage mounts, wheel wells, OBD ports
- Data download — timestamped coordinates, route maps, reports
- Admissibility of GPS evidence in SC courts
Module 2-E: Photography & Video Evidence
- Equipment standards — resolution, zoom range, low-light performance
- Camera settings for surveillance — burst mode, auto-focus, exposure
- Video documentation — establishing shot, medium, close-up sequence
- Timestamp verification — sync device time before every deployment
- SC one-party consent law for audio recording
- Never alter, crop, or filter evidentiary media
- File naming convention for case management
- Chain of custody — from capture to submission
Practical Exercise: Surveillance Simulation
- Students divide into teams of 2-3
- Each team conducts a 30-minute fixed surveillance exercise on designated subject
- Teams document observations using proper surveillance log format
- Photo evidence captured and cataloged
- Instructor debrief — strengths, improvements, legal issues noted
DAY 3
Legal Framework, Evidence & Documentation
8 Hours of Instruction | Modules, Exercises & Assessment
DAY LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Apply constitutional and SC law privacy standards to PI operations
- Identify lawful and unlawful camera placement locations
- Understand SC criminal statutes that apply to PI work
- Manage evidence chain of custody and storage requirements
- Understand CWP law and its intersection with PI operations
| 0800–0830 | Day 3 Opening & Day 2 Review | 30 min |
| 0830–1000 | MODULE 3-A: Constitutional Law & Privacy — Foundations | 90 min |
| 1000–1015 | MORNING BREAK | |
| 1015–1145 | MODULE 3-B: Camera Placement — Where You Can & Cannot Record | 90 min |
| 1145–1230 | MODULE 3-C: SC Criminal Statutes Affecting PI Operations | 45 min |
| 1230–1315 | LUNCH BREAK | |
| 1315–1445 | MODULE 3-D: Evidence Management & Chain of Custody | 90 min |
| 1445–1500 | AFTERNOON BREAK | |
| 1500–1615 | MODULE 3-E: Concealed Weapons Permit & the Private Investigator | 75 min |
| 1615–1645 | Case Study Review: Legal Violations in PI Work | 30 min |
| 1645–1700 | Day 3 Quiz | 15 min |
Day 3 Detailed Module Content
Module 3-A: Constitutional Law & Privacy
- Fourth Amendment — protection from unreasonable searches and seizures
- Katz v. United States — 'reasonable expectation of privacy' standard
- Public vs. private spaces — where Fourth Amendment applies
- Third-party doctrine — records held by third parties
- SC Constitution privacy provisions — broader than federal
- Curtilage doctrine — privacy around the home and outbuildings
- Open fields doctrine — what is and is not protected
Module 3-B: Camera Placement
- LAWFUL: Public streets, sidewalks, parking lots, commercial areas
- LAWFUL: Exterior of subject's workplace, vehicles in public spaces
- LAWFUL: Client's own property with written authorization
- UNLAWFUL: Inside any private residence — criminal charge
- UNLAWFUL: Bathrooms, changing areas, bedrooms — felony
- UNLAWFUL: Any area requiring trespass to access
- SC Code § 16-17-470 — Video Voyeurism statute, penalties
- Covert camera installation — legal standards and written authorization
- HOA/apartment common areas — authority requirements
- Exercise: Given 10 scenarios, identify lawful vs. unlawful placement
Module 3-C: SC Criminal Statutes Affecting PIs
- Impersonating law enforcement — SC Code § 16-17-730 — FELONY
- Stalking and harassment statutes — how PI surveillance can cross the line
- SC Wiretapping Act — one-party consent, electronic surveillance limits
- Trespass — criminal and civil liability
- Computer crimes act — unauthorized access to digital systems
- Identity theft — pretexting and misrepresentation to obtain records
Module 3-D: Evidence Management & Chain of Custody
- What is chain of custody and why it matters in court
- Evidence log — creating and maintaining from point of capture
- Secure storage — encrypted drives, locked physical storage, access controls
- Evidence transfer — documentation of every hand-off
- When evidence is subpoenaed — process and investigator obligations
- Digital metadata — timestamps, GPS data, device ID in files
- Hands-On: Create a complete evidence log for a sample case
Module 3-E: CWP & the PI
- SC CWP requirements — training, application, SLED approval
- CWP is separate from PI license — both required to carry
- Prohibited locations — schools, government buildings, posted premises
- Duty to inform law enforcement when carrying
- Use of force law in SC — Castle Doctrine, stand your ground
- PI has NO special use-of-force authority beyond citizen level
- Tactical considerations when armed on PI assignments
- Firearms maintenance and qualification recommendations
DAY 4
Advanced Operations — Drones, Process Serving & Court
8 Hours of Instruction | Modules, Exercises & Assessment
DAY LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Operate drones for PI surveillance within FAA and SC legal requirements
- Execute lawful process service under SC Rules of Civil Procedure
- Write professional investigation reports that meet court standards
- Draft legally sound affidavits
- Deliver effective expert testimony as an investigator
| 0800–0830 | Day 4 Opening & Day 3 Review | 30 min |
| 0830–1000 | MODULE 4-A: Drone Operations — FAA Rules & SC Law | 90 min |
| 1000–1015 | MORNING BREAK | |
| 1015–1145 | MODULE 4-B: Process Serving — Law, Procedure & Documentation | 90 min |
| 1145–1230 | MODULE 4-C: Process Serving Practical Scenarios | 45 min |
| 1230–1315 | LUNCH BREAK | |
| 1315–1445 | MODULE 4-D: Report Writing for Court | 90 min |
| 1445–1500 | AFTERNOON BREAK | |
| 1500–1600 | MODULE 4-E: Drafting Affidavits | 60 min |
| 1600–1645 | MODULE 4-F: Testifying as a PI in Court | 45 min |
| 1645–1700 | Day 4 Quiz | 15 min |
Day 4 Detailed Module Content
Module 4-A: Drone Operations
- FAA Part 107 — certification overview and test preparation
- Registration requirements — drones over 0.55 lbs
- Operational limitations: altitude, VLOS, prohibited airspace
- Airspace authorization — LAANC system, controlled airspace waivers
- Pre-flight checklist: weather, battery, airspace, emergency plan
- SC drone statutes — § 55-1-30 and related regulations
- Privacy considerations from the air — expectation of privacy altitude
- Evidence from drones — metadata, admissibility, authentication
- Practical: Airspace check and pre-flight planning exercise
Module 4-B: Process Serving
- Authority of PI to serve process in SC — Rule 4, SCRCP
- Who may be served — individuals, corporations, government entities
- Personal service — standards and documentation
- Substituted service — requirements, person of suitable age and discretion
- Service on corporate registered agents — verification requirements
- Service of protective orders — special handling requirements
- Subpoenas — witness, deposition, document production
- Affidavit of service — required elements and format
- Proof of service filing with court
Module 4-C: Process Serving Scenarios
- Scenario 1: Evasive residential subject — documentation of attempts
- Scenario 2: Business service — identifying correct agent
- Scenario 3: Refused service — proper technique and documentation
- Scenario 4: Subject not found — skip trace, publication service referral
- Students draft return of service documents for each scenario
Module 4-D: Report Writing
- Report header requirements — all identifiers, case number
- Writing a factual activity log — first person, past tense, chronological
- Describing physical observations — specificity and objectivity
- Referencing exhibits — photo, video, GPS log attachment protocol
- Findings summary — what the investigation established
- Avoiding opinion, speculation, and advocacy in report
- Hands-On: Write a complete investigation report from sample surveillance notes
Module 4-E: Affidavits
- Legal definition and purpose of a sworn affidavit
- Standard opening recitation — 'I, being duly sworn...'
- Numbered paragraphs for each material fact
- Personal knowledge standard — 'I personally observed...'
- Identifying and attaching exhibits
- Notarization requirements in SC
- Hands-On: Draft an affidavit from a sample investigation
Module 4-F: Testifying in Court
- Qualifying as an expert vs. fact witness
- Direct examination — how to present your findings
- Cross-examination — staying calm, correcting misrepresentations
- Referring to your report — proper use in testimony
- Hypothetical questions — how to respond
- Impeachment attempts — how to handle prior statements
- Role Play: Sample direct and cross-examination of PI report
DAY 5
Professional Practice, Ethics & Final Assessment
8 Hours of Instruction | Modules, Exercises & Assessment
DAY LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Apply mileage, billing, and expense documentation standards
- Understand reciprocity requirements for multi-state PI operations
- Demonstrate integrated skills through comprehensive scenario exercises
- Prepare for SLED licensing examination
- Pass the final written examination and earn certificate of completion
| 0800–0830 | Day 5 Opening & Full-Program Review | 30 min |
| 0830–0930 | MODULE 5-A: Mileage, Billing & Professional Documentation | 60 min |
| 0930–1015 | MODULE 5-B: Reciprocity — Multi-State PI Operations | 45 min |
| 1015–1030 | MORNING BREAK | |
| 1030–1130 | MODULE 5-C: Digital Investigations & Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) | 60 min |
| 1130–1230 | MODULE 5-D: Skip Tracing & Locating Subjects | 60 min |
| 1230–1315 | LUNCH BREAK | |
| 1315–1430 | COMPREHENSIVE SCENARIO EXERCISE — Integrated Case Simulation | 75 min |
| 1430–1445 | BREAK BEFORE FINAL EXAM | |
| 1445–1600 | FINAL WRITTEN EXAMINATION — 100 Questions | 75 min |
| 1600–1645 | Exam Review, Scoring & SLED Licensing Preparation Q&A | 45 min |
| 1645–1700 | Certificate of Completion Distribution & Closing | 15 min |
Day 5 Detailed Module Content
Module 5-A: Mileage, Billing & Documentation
- Odometer log — starting, ending, total per operation
- Mileage reimbursement rates — IRS standard vs. contract rate
- GPS-corroborated mileage documentation
- Itemized invoicing — time entries in tenths of an hour
- Expense categories — equipment, lodging, meals, court costs
- Billing for standby and travel time per contract
- Retainer draw-down statement format
- Tax documentation — Schedule C considerations for PI business
- Hands-On: Prepare a complete client invoice from sample activity log
Module 5-B: Reciprocity
- South Carolina PI license — no automatic national reciprocity
- How to determine if your SC license is recognized in another state
- North Carolina, Georgia, Florida — current status and requirements
- When following a subject across state lines — legal exposure
- Sub-contracting strategy — using locally licensed PI in receiving state
- Interstate service of process — federal vs. state court distinctions
- Best practice: Contact receiving state licensing board before multi-state ops
Module 5-C: Digital Investigations & OSINT
- Open-source intelligence — publicly available information sources
- Social media investigation — Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok
- Legal use of social media evidence — public profile standards
- Court records — SC eCourts access, PACER for federal
- Property records — county assessor, register of deeds
- Business entity records — SC Secretary of State
- Voter registration — permitted uses
- Commercial databases — LexisNexis, IRB, TLO — proper use and data law
- DPPA — Drivers Privacy Protection Act compliance
Module 5-D: Skip Tracing
- Locating a subject using public records layering
- Utility records, vehicle registration, professional licenses
- Associates and family members — investigative leads
- Social media geolocation techniques
- Commercial skip trace tools and their legal limitations
- Documentation of skip trace methodology for court
Comprehensive Scenario Exercise
- Each student receives a complete case packet — domestic investigation scenario
- Must identify: subject, develop surveillance plan, identify legal constraints
- Must draft: a surveillance activity log, one-page report, and affidavit
- Must complete: a client invoice with mileage and expenses
- Instructor evaluates all documents using court-standard rubric
Final Examination
The final examination consists of 100 multiple-choice and short-answer questions covering all five days of instruction. Students must achieve a minimum score of 75% (75/100) to receive a certificate of completion. Students who do not pass will be offered a remediation session and one retake opportunity.
- Section 1: Licensing & Legal (25 questions) — Days 1 & 3 content
- Section 2: Surveillance & Technology (25 questions) — Day 2 content
- Section 3: Documentation & Court (25 questions) — Day 4 content
- Section 4: Professional Practice (25 questions) — Day 5 content
APPENDICES & REFERENCE MATERIALS
Appendix A — Required Texts & References
- South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 40, Chapter 18 — Private Investigator Act
- SC Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4 — Service of Process
- SC Code § 16-17-470 — Video Voyeurism
- SC Code § 23-31-210 — SC Concealed Weapons Permit Act
- SC Code § 55-1-30 — Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- FAA Part 107 — Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- 18 U.S.C. § 2511 — Wiretap Act
- 18 U.S.C. § 2721 — Driver's Privacy Protection Act
- United States v. Jones, 565 U.S. 400 (2012) — GPS and Fourth Amendment
- Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347 (1967) — Expectation of Privacy
Appendix B — Equipment Checklist for PI Operations
- Camera — minimum 20MP with telephoto capability
- Video camera — minimum 1080p, optical zoom
- Binoculars — minimum 8x magnification
- GPS tracking device — with data export capability
- Dash camera — for vehicle mileage and approach documentation
- Surveillance log forms — pre-printed or digital tablet
- Covert recording device (audio) — SC one-party consent compliant
- Drone — FAA registered, operator Part 107 certified
- Laptop — for database access, GPS data download, report drafting
- First aid kit and emergency contact list
Appendix C — Grading Rubric Summary
| Assessment Component | Weight | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Quizzes (Days 1–4) | 20% | 75% |
| Day 4 Report & Affidavit Exercise | 20% | 75% |
| Day 5 Comprehensive Scenario | 20% | 75% |
| Final Examination (100 questions) | 40% | 75% |
Students who achieve an overall program average of 85% or higher will receive the designation of DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE on their certificate of completion.