Top Background Check Books for Your PI Library
For a private investigator, a background check is not just a database search. It’s a complex investigation. Clients rely on you to uncover the truth about a person’s history. But you must navigate a minefield of privacy laws and regulations.
The stakes are high. Over 95% of U.S. employers conduct background checks. And with some studies showing over 70% of people lie on their resumes, your skills are in high demand.
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SEARCH PUBLIC RECORDS »A single legal mistake can get your evidence thrown out. It can also lead to costly lawsuits for you and your client.
These background check books are your best defense. They provide the expert knowledge you need to deliver accurate, compliant reports every time.
Why PIs Need Expert Knowledge
Your clients —from law firms to HR departments —expect more than raw data. They expect professional, verified, and legally obtained information.
Nearly one in three U.S. adults has a criminal record. Your job is to find that information and report it correctly. You must understand the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), state-level laws, and what constitutes a public record.
These books teach you the “how-to” and the “what-not-to-do.”
Top Background Check Books for PIs
This list provides the essential books for mastering background investigations. They will help you learn the components of a background report, how to verify histories, and how to write professional reports.
1. The Guide to Background Investigations
| Preview | Product | Price | |
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The Guide to Background Investigations, 9th Edition | $128.67 | View on Amazon |
Think of this as your field manual. This book is a complete “how-to” guide for accessing records. It shows you where to find key information.
This guide details how to access state, federal, and educational records. It provides contact information, costs, and processing times. This book helps you find motor vehicle records, criminal records, professional licenses, and more.
2. Sleuthing 101: Background Checks and the Law
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Sleuthing 101: Background Checks and the Law |
$13.69 |
View on Amazon |
This book is your legal shield. It focuses on the laws and compliance rules you must know. It is written for employers but is a vital reference for PIs who service them.
Sleuthing 101 uses real-life stories to explain complex legal topics. It helps you understand state and federal laws to protect yourself and your clients from liability.
3. Background Screening and Investigations
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Background Screening and Investigations: Managing Hiring Risk from the HR and Security Perspectives |
$42.67 |
View on Amazon |
This book helps you think like your client. It explores hiring risks from both Human Resources (HR) and security perspectives.
Understanding these viewpoints helps you write better reports. You will learn to provide the specific, actionable insights that corporate clients are paying for.
4. Examining Public Records
This is a perfect starter guide for new PIs. It teaches the fundamentals of public records research.
The book covers both online database searches and in-person courthouse research. It’s an easy-to-understand guide for uncovering critical historical information on individuals and companies.
Books vs. Professional Tools
These books give you the method and the legal framework. But for daily work, you still need the right tools.
- For professional-grade data, PIs use online investigation databases.
- For clients who need high-volume hiring checks, you may use Background Check Service Providers.
We also recommend visiting the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) website. It provides updated news and resources on compliance and legal changes.
A good investigator never stops learning. Investing in these books protects your license, your clients, and your reputation. For more recommendations, check out our full list of private investigator books.
If you’d like to conduct an online investigation or background check now, try BeenVerified’s People Search. Additionally, consider our reviews of Spokeo and Intelius.
Sources Used
- Thompson Reuters, The Importance of Background Checks
- Best Practices for Background Screening
- Statistics
- Employment Checks
- Private Investigators for Parental Abductions & Missing Persons: What Police Can’t Do - December 1, 2025
- Amazon Alexa for Investigators: A Guide to Digital Evidence - December 1, 2025
- Disposable Email Addresses: Conceal and Protect Your Online Identity - December 1, 2025
These books will definitely be helpful for the employers as well as the employees to know the hiring laws in a better way and implement them properly. There are many cases regarding the unfair or inaccurate background check on the employees that results in rejection of that employee without any means. Also, some employers who are searching the employees’ social media accounts and rejecting them in the base of color, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. It is completely illegal to do such and they should follow fair hiring policy.