Private Investigator Training With StriderPI
- Dave Amis
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 13
Breaking into private investigation can be difficult—especially when it comes to finding high-quality, in-person training.
That's why we created S.P.I.T. (Strider Private Investigator Training) : a 3-day PI-Rookie course that teaches you how to become a private investigator.
Our instructors bring serious experience:
A retired FBI agent
A Recon Marine and surveillance expert
An Air Force sergeant and PI rookie
And myself, a seasoned private investigator
Together, we packed months of training into a 3-day experience that’s intense, practical, and a lot of fun.
What You’ll Learn: The Three PI Fundamentals™
At the core of S.P.I.T. are the three essential skills every investigator needs:
OSINT (Open Source Intelligence),
Surveillance
Report Writing
Master these, and you’ll be equipped to work basic cases.
We also help with getting your private investigator license, if you don’t already have one.
Getting your PI license can be tortuous–we help you navigate the private investigator requirements and walk you through exactly how to become a PI in your state.
Hands-On Training: Find the Tracker Exercise
Real PI work means real skills.
In this exercise, students split into two teams: one plants vehicle trackers, and the other hunts them down.
The PI trainees learned how to both install and detect vehicle tracking devices, a skill frequently requested of PIs when clients need to determine whether a tracker has been placed on their vehicle.
Key Takeaways:
It’s possible to plant a tracker in seconds if you know what you’re doing
Finding one takes much longer, especially inside a vehicle
It takes seconds for an engine to reach several hundred degrees – so NEVER place a tracker near the engine!
SPIT # 4: The All-Women Class
One of our earlier classes had five female students and became known as the “all-women class”; they were a handful! Together, we worked a jewelry store surveillance and ran multiple field and OSINT exercises.
SPIT # 16: The Pro’s Class
Two professionals transitioning from intelligence/military backgrounds to civilian PI work joined this class. Even seasoned crime investigators need to understand how to get a PI license and adapt their skills to private investigation.
Real Case Training: Find the Missing Girl
A 16-year-old girl went missing in a parental kidnapping case—when a parent unlawfully takes a child despite a shared custody order, often across state or national borders.
SPIT took on the case after spotting a missing child bulletin—and got to work.
The Investigation Process:
Step 1: Background checks on both parents uncovered drug-related criminal records, past addresses, and family connections.
Step 2: Online searches revealed news articles, a U.S. Marshals interview, and police reports. We created a top-five possible locations list which included Chicago, Kansas, a Texas city, Minnesota, and a small Oklahoma town.
Step 3: About 80 minutes in, one student found a Facebook profile likely belonging to the mother—matching her name and resembling prior arrest photos, though unconfirmed.
Step 4: Another student traced a Facebook connection to the Oklahoma town, uncovering photos of the mother, a friend, and a child matching the missing girl. One image showed part of an address.
MISSING GIRL FOUND! Her mother had rented a house under her real name. A law enforcement officer in the class passed the address, phone numbers, and documentation to the U.S. Marshals.
Field Exercise: The Mobile “Homeless” Guy With Stolen Property
During a neighborhood canvass in downtown Austin, a class searched for a person of interest linked to stolen property from a burglary. Though he had voluntarily given the items back, a photo helped identify him. Believed to be homeless and living out of his car, two students eventually located him near recent burglary sites.
When approached, the man—who identified himself as “Rog”—was initially reluctant but agreed to talk. He ultimately became a valuable source, providing information that led to others involved in the crime.
It was a big win for the SPIT class.
By the way, it turned out the “homeless” guy had two vehicles and an apartment; he just preferred staying in his vehicles overnight, “living the life”.
Ready to Start Your PI Career?
Private Investigator training with StriderPI offers:
Real-world case experience
Hands-on field training
Expert instruction
Step-by-step licensing guidance
If you’re serious about becoming a private investigator, this is where you start.
In Memoriam
Tuleta Copeland was a great friend and mentor. She co-founded StriderPI and created our initial OSINT course. She taught OSINT to many Texas PIs. She is much missed, and never forgotten.
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