COLUMBO

If anyone saw the latest episode of BROOKLYN DA on television, you would have seen ADA Oh’s fascination with the fictional TV detective, Columbo.

Who doesn’t love Columbo?

A recent article I found in a PI web site discusses some of the favorite television detectives.

It’s no surprise that Columbo was the runaway favorite of their poll of PIs.

“Columbo teaches us the value of being underestimated” was one of the features that was a fan favorite.  His rumpled look and “hammed-up bumbling act” was brought to the highest level of fine art!  I’ve always enjoyed his last-minute aside, the one where he has that “oh, I almost forgot to ask you this” question that always ends up blowing the case wide open. 

Real life detectives feel that his wardrobe was quite true to life.  Sure, there are many detectives dressing in Armani and bespoke suits (OK, so I’m guilty), but everyone can attest to the real life image of the rolled up rain coat grabbed out of the back of the car, and the coffee stained tie that doesn’t quite match the shirt- classic Columbo style.

Detective lesson to learn from hours of Columbo episodes?

Try to be the smartest guy in the room, but seem like the dumbest- and listen very carefully to what everyone has to say.

Detective theater at its finest!

PROTECT YOUR ASSETS- KNOW WHO YOU ARE IN BUSINESS WITH

One of the first items that every employer should consider in hiring practices concerns the level of background check you are performing.

Time and time again hiring practices with little or no background investigations on new hires results in loss and fraud over time.  There is no reason an employer should settle for this.

Proper background investigations, conducted by an investigative professional, need not be expensive and can certainly be performed in an competent and affordable manner. 

Before you become the victim of thousands of dollars in loss through internal fraud or theft, take a look at your hiring practices and ensure proper background investigations are being conducted.

For more information you may contact Squad Security at:

Info@squadsecurity.com

Squad Security- your security and investigative services professionals.

WORKPLACE FRAUD- SOME FACTS AND FIGURES

A recent report published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners examined Occupational Fraud and Abuse.  This global study revealed some interesting statistics, which as an investigator you may find of value.

The typical business loses 5% of its revenues to fraud each year!  When you deal with businesses and they discuss a level of acceptable shrinkage, a figure in the area of 5% of revenue can be boggling.

The most common type of fraud involves asset misappropriation schemes, which composed 87% of the cases that they received. 

The most likely manner that occupational fraud is detected is through an internal tip.  Hotlines established for this purpose are crucial to the business. 

Most occupational fraudsters are first-time offenders with clean employment histories.  Almost 87% of fraudsters were found to have never been charged or convicted of a fraud related offense.

In 81% of cases there was behavioral red flags displayed that indicated fraudulent actions.  Among the most commonly observed were living beyond means (36%) financial difficulties (27%), unusually close association with vendors or customers (19%). 

When addressing workplace fraud investigations, keep in mind some of the conclusions and recommendations of this study.

Providing individuals a means of reporting suspicious activity is a critical part of an anti-fraud program.  Mechanisms to report fraud such as hotlines, email or mail boxes, should be in place and their use encouraged by management.  The existence of an anti-retaliation policy should be also be in place and made known to workers.

Businesses cannot rely on outside audits to uncover fraud.  External audits serve an important purpose and can have a strong preventive effect on potential fraud, their usefulness as a means of uncovering fraud is limited.  Look to internal procedures in place to uncover elements of fraud.

The cost of fraud to a business is damaging.  Half of the organizations experiencing workplace fraud never recover any of their losses.  A fraud prevention program that continually assesses the organization’s fraud risks needs to be put in place.

BIRTH OF THE BLOG

THE BLOG IS BORN!

After writing for over 10 years and posting to a sight named THE SQUAD ROOM, I have moved into private practice and created this new blog.

NY Private Eye Squad Room will continue in the fashion of the Brooklyn North Squad Room- present ideas and issues for the investigator, discuss new topics and trends, and add a little leisure for the Private Eye.

Much like I have done, my blog is moving into the private sector.

What can you expect? Ideas and technology for the investigator, trends, maybe a little leisure like some cigar reviews or fine scotch to try, and the banter associated with the detective- public or private, the detective is a unique breed for sure! We will celebrate that here.

From Kojak to Mannix. Bookmark, and come back again soon!


FROM THE EDITOR:

If you want to take a look at the other site, check out:

www.brooklynnorth.blogspot.com

If you have any ideas or comments you'd like to contribute to help in producing material for this site, or just to make comments or suggestions, you can contact me at:

JCornDetect@gmail.com