Wanted: Seasoned investigators to write books

Security Investigations
Larry G Nicholson PhD
Butterworth-Heinemann
£25.00
Content: 235 pages¶ Tel. +44(0)1865 888180¶ Fax. +44(0)1865 314290

The most observant amongst you will have noticed that many of the books covered in my review page are the products of one particular publisher, Butterworth-Heinemann. As the publishers of more security-related books than any other company, Butterworth-Heinemann provide an invaluable service to the security professional.

There is though a problem, this being that Butterworth-Heinemann are an American company and most of their books are written for the American market, as is the case with Security Investigations.

This book is a comprehensive, clearly written and practical guide which would be of use to a wide readership of security professionals. The most useful chapters of the book include: Becoming an Investigator, Developing an Investigation Plan, Report Writing, Basic Surveillance Techniques, Basic Photography and Video and Specialised Investigations.

If we were the target audience (ie, in the United States) I would continue to describe the rest of the book in similar positive terms. As we are not, then complications emerge. For example, the chapter on The Interview Process makes no mention of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, the (British) application of the police caution or English case law.

Any British investigator following the guidance of this chapter would be liable to make serious errors. Similarly, the chapter on Sources of Information is of little practical value because it uses American examples.

More problems beset the chapters on Legal Issues and Workplace Investigations. No mention is made of British legal standards of proof ('beyond reasonable doubt' under criminal law and 'the balance of probabilities' for civil and employment law ). Details regarding the Data Protection Act are also not included.

To be fair to Butterworth-Heinemann this is no doubt a good and beneficial book, for a US audience. Even from our point of view there are areas of the book which have merit and value. However, it is my belief that we deserve better and that there are Security Management Professionals out there who could deliver superior and more serviceable publications on this and many other security subjects (I know because I have met some of you!). If you have a depth of knowledge and a wealth of experience on a particular security speciality, don't hide it under a bushel, share it with others.