Check out this interesting post from the Guns, Gams & Gumshoes blog on the topic of National and International Private Investigator Day: History of the Private Eyee
Eugene Francois Vidocq, b. July 24, 1775
National and International Private Investigator Day is July 24, also the birthdate of Eugene Francois Vidocq, recognized as the first private eye.
Vidocq Introduced Criminal Investigation Techniques
In 1833 Eugene Francois Vidocq, a French ex-criminal, founded one of the first private detective agencies, Le bureau des renseignments (Office of Intelligence) where he oversaw the work of other detectives, many ex-criminals such as himself. He is credited with having introduced record-keeping, criminology, and ballistics to criminal investigation. He also created indelible ink and unalterable bond paper with his printing company. Apparently, he had an altruistic bent as he claimed he never informed on anyone who had stolen for real need.
With Vidocq, the private investigator was born. As the industry evolved, clients often hired PIs to act in law enforcement capacities, especially in matters for which they were not equipped or willing to do. This led…
View original post 1,042 more words
