MASTERING LIFE

MASTERING LIFE

Create the life you want to live.  The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.  The person you are today is not who you have to be tomorrow.

THE ZEN CONCEPT OF KAI-ZEN

Kai-zen is the Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement of working practices, personal efficiency, physical and psychological well being, etc.

KAI-ZEN MEANS CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to act.  Progress is the ultimate motivation.  What you do everyday matters more than what you do once and awhile.  If you pursue your dreams long enough a compound effect occurs.  This momentum will carry you where you want to go.  Push your boundaries.  Kai-zen is a step by step approach.

You have to emotionally condition yourself to think differently.  Condition yourself for success, turn frustration into excitement.  Think clearly and be flexible.  Try new approaches and if they don't work you at least get an education.  The road to someday leads nowhere.

THE FEAR TRAP

Fear could be a good thing as long as it is you Counselor and not your Jailer.  Quiet your mind so you can hear intuition over fear.  Fear can make talented people unsuccessful.  Don't fear past failures.  Failure is not a sign of personal incompetence, it's just one experiment that has gone wrong.

NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

You'll never be free in life until you free yourself from the prison of negative thoughts.  Growth begins at the end of your comfort zone. Remember nothing is permanent, don't stress out to much because no matter how bad the situation is, it will change. 

"You have the power over your mind, not outside events.  Realize this and you will find strength"-Marcus  Aurelius

UNDERSTAND YOURSELF

Being a polygraph examiner, I deal with people's attempt at deception all of the time, but the worst of all deception is self-deception.

ELIMINATE NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR

The reason we human beings have a hard time controlling negative behavior, ie. drug abuse, alcohol abuse, gambling, cigarettes, over-eating junk food, inactivity, etc. is that all of those behaviors have an effect on our brains.  When we participate in these behaviors, there is an increase in the brain's release of the neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin. These are the brain's feel good, pleasure organic chemicals. These chemicals are naturally released when we are happy, eating good food, having sex or exercising. Different people have different demons of course, but the best way to deal with this toxic behavior is to replace it with positive behavior.  We must recondition ourselves in order to get the same good feeling from positive behavior, such as achieving great goals, accomplishments, and improving our self image. One way of doing this is to start new routines.  Human beings love routines, it makes us feel comfortable.  Replace bad routines with good ones, i.e. replace inactivity with an exercise program and replace junk food with health food.  Remember take care of your body, it is the only place you have to live.  If you make a small positive change everyday, you will create and unstoppable positive force.

GOOD FRIENDS

I believe Lennon and McCartney said it best with the lyric, "I get by with a little help from my friends."

THE TRICK TO BEING A GOOD PARENT

Try to be the person you needed when you were younger.

ON SUCCESS

Always remember you can't always be rich if you don't have happiness.  You can't have great success without inner peace.  You can't really be wealthy without your health.

CONCLUSION

Grand Master Masaki Hatsumi, the founder of the bujinkan often says "Gambatte" (keep going)

 "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough"- Mae West 

In six months from now, you can be in a completely different space, mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially.  Keep working and believing in yourself.  

When you write the story of your life, don't let anyone-else use the pen.  

About the Author: 

Judd Bank is the CEO and President of CPI Investigations, a multi-dimensional private investigation firm with offices in Manhattan and New Jersey and over 35 years of experience. Mr. Bank is a life long Martial Artist.  http://www.privatedetectiveny.com

THE ROLE OF A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR IN CORPORATE INVESTIGATIONS

A Corporate Investigation is an investigation of a corporation or a business in order to reclaim something that was stolen from the corporation, and attempt to identify the wrong doing, misconduct or ethical lapses.

A Corporate Investigation must safeguard people, assets and reputations from theft, misappropriation, inside threats and dishonesty.

A Corporate Investigator must protect a company's interest either physical, financial, or virtual.

Corporate Investigators will often work hand and hand with forensic accountants and attorneys.  They can act as a liaison with law enforcement agencies if deemed necessary.

A work place investigation is a fact finding investigation  to determine what happened with respect to a particular incident, whether or not suspected conduct did or did not take place.  

An Investigator must determine what are the circumstances involved in the suspected incidences and whether it was a violation of company policy or of the law.

In order to accomplish this, these investigators have the following tools and techniques at their disposal.  He can conduct background checks, pre-employment interviews, surveillance, and he might place undercover operatives in the company or install covert CCTV cameras.  The Investigator will look for substance abuse among the employees and staff.  He will also monitor the staff's social media and will often hire cyber security experts to look for computer data theft.

COMPUTER FRAUD AND INVESTIGATION

A Cyber Security Expert can help a corporation recover, reconstruct, and review data in order to later be examined by a forensic accountant or an attorney, to determine if an employee has stolen company data or intellectual property. 

Conclusion

Corporations are being scrutinized today as never before.  Companies are being constantly examined and investigated by local state and government agencies.  Private plaintiffs are filing more and more cases with significant allegations that attempt to call a company's conduct into question. Competitors are becoming more devious and sophisticated  in stealing corporate intellectual property more than ever before.  Employees are less loyal to firms in today's transitional environment, and in this era is it is better to err in the side of caution.

It is crucial to remain vigilant in effort to identify and stop schemers that damage corporate value and safety.




About the Author:    

Judd Bank
Former Detective for the Queens District Attorney's Office
Current CEO and President of CPI Investigations


http://www.privatedetectiveny.com

THE ROLE OF A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR IN CRIMINAL DEFENSE CASES

THE ROLE OF A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR IN  CRIMINAL DEFENSE CASES


The role of a Private Investigator in criminal defense cases can be summed up in this analogy.
The Private Investigators are the bullets, the criminal defense attorney is the gun.

Without the information, the private investigator provides (the bullets) the defense attorney cannot effectively render quality representation for this client.   He can only pull a trigger on an empty gun.

Years ago, when I worked for the Queens District Attorney's Office I felt that when a police officer arrested someone they were probably guilty.  However, after working closely on criminal cases with many defense attorneys, I have a more balanced point of view.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS


The principle of freedom which Americans value so high is demonstrated in this nation's commitme

nt to the presumption of innocence in a criminal trial.

Criminal Defense Investigators must stand ready to aid in the defense of an accused regardless of public hostility toward the accused, or personal distaste for the offense charged or the character of the defendant.

A Private Investigator should never intentionally misrepresent or mislead pertinent facts to the court.

It is important to remember that a Criminal Defense Investigator has the same attorney - client privilege for protection of the clients confidences that exists between the defense lawyer on the case and their client.  This privilege should never be abused.

THE FUNCTION OF A CRIMINAL DEFENSE INVESTIGATOR

The goal of the Criminal Investigator is to work towards getting the defendant acquitted of the charges being brought against him or her by establishing reasonable doubt.

First, a Private Investigator will speak with the attorney to make sure that the specific criminal charges and applicable statutes are clearly understood.  The the Private Investigator will scrutinize police reports, photographs, evidence, texts, witnesses, statements, social media, and witnesses statements pertinent to the case looking for inconsistencies from one witness to another.

The Defense Investigator must verify and validate all of the investigating information the police department  has submitted to the court.  Then the Defense Investigator will talk to all witnesses reviewing and verifying all evidence physical, verbal, video, etc. that will be used by the prosecution looking for holes and gaps.

At this point the Private Investigator will attempt to develop new intelligence, he will canvas the area in question in an effort to locate new witnesses or establish new evidence.

The Criminal Investigator will gather all this information and prepare to testify if the defense attorney deems it beneficial.

CONCLUSION

The Prosecution has it's detectives diligently looking for incriminating evidence in order to convict the accused.  A defense team should be just as though as the Prosecution's Investigation.


About the Author:  Former Detective for the Queens District Attorney's Office
Current CEO and President of CPI Investigations





http://www.privatedetectiveny.com

THE ROLE OF A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR IN MISSING PERSONS CASES

THE ROLE OF A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR IN MISSING PERSON CASES

Missing person cases are grave matters.

When you believe a person in your life has disappeared, it is imperative to act promptly and set a search in motion.

FIRST:

A. Meet with the Authorities

B. Contact Friends and Family members

C. Check Social Media

D. Hang Signs

E. Check Jails and Hospitals

F. Track or Ping their Cell Phones

H. Check the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System

At this juncture, its time to consider hiring  a Private Investigator.  Without the help of an experienced licensed private investigator, attempting to find a missing person on your own can be a hopeless and an insurmountable undertaking. 

PSYCHOLOGICAL

One of the most important duties of a Private Investigator in a Missing Persons case is comforting the family.  Relatives and friends will be beside themselves with anxiety and worry over the fate of the missing loved one.  Having a  private investigator at their side will let them know they are not powerless in this situation.   

A Private Investigator must calm the family members down so they can aid in the investigation.

CLARIFY THE SITUATION

Before starting the investigation it is imperative to gather information and get all the pertinent  facts on the case.

How long has the person been missing?
How dire or concerning is the case?
What is the person's mental condition? (schizophrenia, depression, drug addiction, senility, autism)
Where was he\she last?
Who are the subject's friends, or romantic involvements?
What are the subject's hobbies or interest?

It is important not to only view still photos of the subject, but also view film and video tape, so that you can study their gait (the manner in which they walk or carry themselves)

Does the Subject want to be found?  A certain number of adults do not want to be found.  In these sensitive cases, a private investigator can maintain respect for both parties privacy and will only facilitate contact if it is mutually agreeable.

TIME FOR ACTION

Locating people who have disappeared can be dangerous.  Investigators may confront actual victims of kidnappings or other violent crimes.  P.I.'s must be vigilant when conducting (boots on the ground)
investigations.  Interviewing witnesses and paying informants should only be done by professionals.

Private Investigators have access to specialized databases and software that the general public is not privileged to.  Checking these databases is often the first step an investigator will take conducting a missing person's case.

Private Detectives are able to network with other private detectives around the country and worldwide.

Private Investigators can conduct surveillance on where a missing person is likely to be.

Private Investigators often have access to air, land or sea vehicles that can aid in the search.

IN CONCLUSION

It is important to keep in mind that a missing loved one is your first priority, but your local law enforcement agency's focus might be elsewhere.  Local Law Enforcement Agency's main goal is to protect and serve the safety of the entire community and often fail to prioritize missing person cases.
They simply lack the resources to fully pursue every person who has gone missing.  A Private Investigator can more fully commit to finding you missing family member.

Harness the power of an experienced private investigator who knows all the tricks of the trade and has the skills, resources and dedication to find you lost loved one.

About the Author:
Judd Bank is a former Detective and 
Chief Polygraph Examiner for the Queens District Attorney's Office
Currently the President and CEO of CPI Investigations
www.privatedetectiveny.com 

PSYCHOLOGY OF SURVEILLANCE

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SURVEILLANCE

I believe that understanding human behavior and becoming proficient at surveillance is more of an art form than a science.

Surveillance skills are best learned through experience, however, there are certain psychological concepts, tactics, and techniques that could be quite useful.

Here are five strategies based on zen concepts and in tune with Carl Jung's psychological theories that  you can use in conducting surveillance:

1.  EARTH STRATEGY (CHI)

Feeling Attitude - Confident
                              Centered

It is important to clarify your goals and be confident in your skills.  The best way to be confident is through preparation.  Before you conduct a surveillance, you must do your homework.  The first step is to gather information.

Conduct all your computer searches 

Use your databases to find out all you can about your subject
Subject's Criminal History
Residence Verification
Subject's work Address
Vehicle Information

Use Google Maps to  view your subject's location, and familiarize yourself with all the local roads, and all mass transit systems.

Conduct Recon

Before starting your surveillance you should conduct a recon of the subject's location.  Where is the best area in which you will have a superior vantage point?  What type of neighborhood is the subject in?  Should you have to alert the local police of your presence?  How many entry\exit points are around the targeted area?

Get your cover story ready

Think of what you would tell someone who confronts you during your surveillance.
Who are you?  Why are you in the area?.  A good tip is to make business cards in advance of different occupations that would justify your presence at a particular location. Always have a full tank of gas and money on your metro cards in case you have to take mass transit.

Prepare your equipment

Do you need night vision?  Does your camera have a time and date generator?  Do you need to take covert cameras or binoculars?

2.  WATER STRATEGY (SUI)

Feeling Attitude - Adaptability

When you are on a surveillance you have to fit into your environment.  Dress the part, walk, talk and look like the average person in the neighborhood that you are in.  If you are on a foot surveillance, bring a reversible bag carrying a change of jacket, sunglasses and a cap, in order to change your appearance to adapt to your environment.  If you should have to use a cover story, keep it in the confines of what you know, so you can talk about it naturally while keeping a safe distance from revealing the pertinent information that you don't want to give away.

3.  WIND STRATEGY (FU)

Feeling Attitude - Evasiveness, Concealment

When conducting your surveillance, it is imperative to blend in with your environment.  Your mental state must be that of being invisible.  What I mean by this, is not being perceivable.  In this strategy you must avoid direct confrontation.  For example, during a vehicular surveillance, drive a common boring vehicle in order to disappear in your environment.  Imbed yourself in your surroundings, in a boring and bland way.  During a foot surveillance, try to sit down when you can, this will give you a less noticeable appearance.  If you are in the Metropolitan area, you may consider taking a vantage point at a bus stop with other people so you can easily blend in.

4.  FIRE STRATEGY (KA)

Feeling Attitude -Aggressiveness 
                             Committed Spirit

When conducting a surveillance in a vehicle or on foot, don't always be conservative.  Sometimes instead of keeping a car in front of you and the subject, pull up right beside or ahead. The main idea of this, is not to fall into any patterns.

If someone confronts you, and asks you, "who are you?" or "what are you doing here?", sometimes it is best to take the offensive.  ("None of your business")

5. VOID STRATEGY (KU)

Feeling Attitude - Creativity
                              Self Expression
                              Subtle communication with others

Being creative on the moment or thinking on your feet.  An example would be when Indiana Jones is in trouble, and comes up with an unorthodox way of getting himself and others out the dangerous situation.

A good example of this might be from an investigation  I conducted many years ago.  The goal of this investigation was to observe and record drug transactions at a known trap house (drug dealing location)   I was in a building across the street where I had a great vantage point enabling me to observe  activity outside the trap house without being detected.  My partner was in the street in close proximity to the drug trafficking location. I suddenly realized that he had been spotted by the subjects, so I alerted him through radio communication.  What he did next was unorthodox and interesting.  He began to urinate on a public building.  The drug dealers apparently believed that my partner was a bum.  They couldn't conceive that an investigator, police officer or agent that would behave in such a manner and so they continued their illegal activity. Now that's thinking on your feet.

In conclusion, it is extremely important that an investigator be in control of his or her environment.

Helpful Tips in order to control yourself and your environment.

I believe that all investigators should be well trained in:

                                Firearms
                               Weapons Retention
                               Martial Arts
                               Self Defense
                               Conflict Resolution Techniques  (verbal judo)

These skills are necessary in order to protect yourself and others during your surveillance investigation.  This training needs to be on a regular basis. Since the nature of surveillance requires waiting several hours with no activity and then suddenly all hell breaks loose! You should be aware that this psycho-physiological experience will probable trigger your body to go into the fight or flight mode.   This State will cause your system to produce certain chemicals like nor-adrenaline and cortisone.  The best way for your body to deal with these chemicals is to exercise on a regular basis.  You can also use certain control breathing exercises in order to calm your body down in order to take that money shot.

About the Author:

Judd Bank
President & CEO of CPI Investigations
Former Detective for Queens District Attorney's Office
Life Long Martial Artist
http://www.privatedetectiveny.com

HOW TO SPOT A LIAR

HOW TO SPOT A LIAR

At some point in life, everyone is a victim of a lie. It may include romantic relationships, business transactions, political behavior and/or criminal misrepresentation.

I would like to share my 35 years of experience in recognizing deceptive behavior, first as a Detective and Chief Polygraph Examiner for the Queens District Attorney’s Office, and then as the CEO of CPI Investigations where I conduct Investigations and polygraph for the New York Department of Probation, Legal Aid Department, armored car companies, corporations and prominent private defense attorneys. In this article, I will discuss certain techniques that will enable you to spot a liar from a mile away.

There are two main techniques in detecting deception without the use of a polygraph instrument.  They are observing body language and asking open-ended questions, in order to evaluate the answers. 

1.   OBSERVATION OF BODY LANGUAGE

A Polygraph Examiner uses his instrument to determine changes in breathing, perspiration and heart rate.  When a person is lying, his/her body goes into a fight or flight response which results in changes in the above three indices. Certain changes in a person’s baseline can be detected without the use of a polygraph.

BLOOD FLOW TO NOSE AND FACE

You will notice this by a person touching or scratching his or her nose. The most famous example of this is when former President, Bill Clinton touched his nose when he denied his affair with Monica Lewinsky in his Grand Jury Testimony.

INCREASED PERSPIRATION

When individuals lie, they tend to perspire more. This could be detected by sweaty palms or increased perspiration on face or body.

CHANGE IN SPEED OF SPEECH OR RATE OF BREATHING

When people lie, often their speech rate increases or decreases. There is also a change in their breathing rate.

HEARTBEAT QUICKENS

This is harder to detect, however, it can be done.  For example, when I was in the police academy, one of our instructors said that when he would approach a person in a suspicious situation, he would say “take it easy” while he lightly placed his hand over the suspect’s heart to see if it was beating fast.  This was a very creative way to determine an increase in someone’s heart rate.

LOOK FOR MICRO-EXPRESSIONS

Micro expressions are expressions on a subject’s face that reveal the person’s true emotions.  When a person lies, his or her observable micro expression will be one of emotional distress.

AVOIDING EYE CONTACT

People will avert their gaze, when they are lying.  It is important to realize that none of these techniques are 100 percent accurate in detecting lies.  For instance, you need to keep sociological studies in mind.  In japan, a person looking you in the eyes is a sign of disrespect, especially if the person is woman.

2.    OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONING INTERVIEWING AND EVALUATION

“No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar” –

Abraham Lincoln

A savvy person or interviewer can reveal holes in anybody’s story. 

ASK OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS

“Close-ended questions are those which can be answered by a simple “yes” or “no,” while open-ended questions are those which require more thought and more than a simple one-word answer.”  Asking open-ended questions force a liar to expand their story and keep talking until they entrap themselves.

SURPRISE THEM

A deceptive person will try to anticipate your questioning, so ask them surprise questions to throw them off guard.

A DECREASE IN THE USE OF THE WORDS I, ME, MINE

George Harrison once wrote a Beatles song called I, Me, Mine. These words are important in detecting lies because a liar will try to distance themselves from the lie by not saying the words, I, Me, Mine, so much.

ASK THE PERSON TO TELL THEIR STORY BACKWARDS

It is difficult for a liar to remember the details of their story.  When you ask them to recite it in reverse you will note discrepancies.  

PAUSE OR DELAY AFTER ASKING QUESTIONS

When you ask a question, a liar may need time to process the information to formulate an appropriate lie.  This may cause hesitation in the person’s answer.

 THE WORD NO

You must pay attention to the way a person says no.  As person trying to deceive you will answer no and close their eyes or answer no and look in a different direction.

ASK FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS

If you have ever seen an episode of Columbo, you’ll notice that Columbo will always have a follow up question.  As he leaves the premise he will always say "just one more thing that bothers me."  If you are unclear of a person’s answer, ask a follow up question.

Remember, try to be empathetic and develop a rapport with the person you suspect may be lying. It’s not so important to be a good listener.  You have to be adept at observing and spotting the signs of non-verbal behavior and the inconsistencies in a person’s story. You must use both techniques because making a determination on just one will allow too many false positives.

Hopefully these human lie detector skills will help you in life by giving you the ability to spot lies.

About the Author:

Judd Bank is the CEO of CPI Investigations. 
He’s been a prominent polygraph examiner,

and investigator for the past 35 years.  He was 
the former Chief Polygraph Examiner for

the Queens District Attorney’s office.

CHILD CUSTODY INVESTIGATIONS

Private Investigators can be an invaluable aid in providing information to help leverage an attorney's case by finding creative and efficient ways to come out ahead of his/her adversary.

Child custody is an issue that affects everybody involved.  Mom, dad, children and other family members.  New York State law acknowledges two types of child custody cases:

Legal Custody - the right to make important decisions for the child.  Legal decisions would be those which involve where a child will attend school, the religion of the child and what healthcare the child receives.

Physical Custody - purely where the child will live.


PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR'S ROLE IN CHILD CUSTODY 

When you are facing a vicious or dangerous person on the other side of a child custody case, you may want to hire a private investigator in this field to help in your fight to win custody or renegotiate your originally agreed terms.  You might also be able to reduce your child support.

Private Investigators can conduct surveillance in order to document dangerous behavior i.e. spouse driving intoxicated, spouse speeding and running lights, driving erratically and/or picking up drugs with the child in the car. 

Private Investigators can also monitor parenting time to make sure there is compliance with the custody agreement. In extreme cases, investigators can look into false accusations of child abuse.

In conclusion, changes in circumstances may warrant changes in legal custody, physical custody, and child support.  Private Investigators can provide the ammunition attorneys need to win your case.

About the Author:





Judd Bank is the President of CPI Investigations, a multi-dimensional private investigative firm operating in Manhattan and New Jersey for over 30 years.