How to Be Litigation Support Investigator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 10, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The rise in technology has had a significant effect on litigation support investigation. With the prevalence of digital evidence and the increasing use of computers and mobile devices in daily life, the need for litigation support investigators has grown exponentially. These professionals are needed to uncover, collect, analyze and present digital evidence for litigation purposes.

They must possess a wide array of skills, including forensic examination, technical knowledge, investigative procedures and the ability to interpret and communicate complex data. As a result, litigation support investigators have become an important part of the legal system, providing invaluable assistance and expertise to attorneys and other legal professionals.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a bachelor's degree in a field related to law enforcement, such as criminal justice or forensic science. Most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in this field, even if it is not required.
Seek out internships and volunteer positions with law enforcement agencies, legal offices, or other organizations related to the field of litigation support investigations. This experience can help you gain insight into the profession and stand out among other candidates.
Seek out additional certification or training in litigation support investigation. The American Society of Legal Investigators (ASLI) offers certification courses and workshops that can help you gain the skills and knowledge required to become a litigation support investigator.
Submit your resume and cover letter to employers looking for litigation support investigators. Your resume should highlight your education, experience, and training in the field of litigation support investigation.
Attend job interviews and demonstrate your knowledge of the profession, as well as your ability to work independently and cooperatively with others.
Demonstrate excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, since you will be working with clients, attorneys, and other professionals in the legal field.
Once hired, attend on-the-job training sessions to become familiar with the specific tools and techniques used in litigation support investigations.

In order to keep updated and qualified as a Litigation Support Investigator, it is important to stay abreast of current developments in the legal field. This can be done by attending continuing education courses, reading industry publications and blogs, and networking with colleagues. staying up to date on technology can help support investigators become more efficient in their work.

Having a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved with digital forensics, e-discovery, and data analytics can provide an edge when it comes to investigating cases. Finally, understanding the ethical and legal implications of investigations is key to remaining a qualified Litigation Support Investigator. Keeping up with changes in the law, as well as understanding client confidentiality, will help ensure that investigations are conducted in a responsible and ethical manner.

You may want to check Private Investigator, Title Abstractor/Investigator, and Loss Prevention Investigator for alternative.

Job Description

Gather and analyze evidence in support of legal proceedings.
Prepare detailed reports summarizing investigative findings and research.
Review and evaluate case materials such as legal documents, depositions, transcripts, and interviews.
Utilize various databases and research tools to gather data for investigations.
Track down lost or missing individuals and uncover fraud and other illegal activities.
Interview witnesses, suspects, and other individuals and collect statements.
Conduct background checks on potential witnesses or defendants.
Monitor and document court proceedings, such as hearings and trials.
Provide expert testimony before court or arbitration proceedings.
Develop and maintain working relationships with law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and other professionals in related fields.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of legal research methods and procedures.
Proficient in the use of online databases and other research tools.
Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
Ability to review, analyze, and interpret legal documents.
Ability to conduct interviews, interrogations, and surveillance.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to organize and prioritize tasks in order to meet deadlines.
Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws and regulations.
Working knowledge of computer applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all situations.

Working as a Litigation Support Investigator requires a variety of skills, but the most important one is the ability to think critically and analytically. A strong aptitude for problem-solving is essential in this role as it involves gathering and analyzing evidence and facts in order to assist attorneys in making decisions. having excellent communication skills, both oral and written, is key in order to effectively collaborate with legal professionals and other stakeholders.

having the ability to remain organized, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and pay close attention to detail are also essential traits for this type of job. having these abilities will enable a Litigation Support Investigator to effectively assist attorneys in civil or criminal cases and make sure that justice is served.

Criminal Defense Investigator, Corporate Security Investigator, and Investigative Consultant are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in litigation support?
How do you ensure accuracy when conducting investigations and collecting evidence?
Describe a time when you had to work under pressure to meet a deadline.
How do you stay current with changes in technology and legal procedures?
What challenges have you faced in your previous litigation support roles?
How do you maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information obtained during investigations?
What techniques do you use to remain organized when managing multiple cases?
What experience do you have working with various types of technology and software used in litigation support?
What strategies do you use to analyze evidence and develop theories?
How did you handle a difficult or unpleasant situation during a previous investigation?

Common Tools in Industry

Computer Forensics Software. This software allows investigators to search, recover, and analyze digital evidence stored on a computer or other digital device. (eg: EnCase Forensic)
Database Management Software. This software helps investigators store, organize, and analyze large amounts of data. (eg: Microsoft Access)
Document Analysis Software. This software helps investigators analyze large amounts of text, documents, emails and other written material. (eg: Nuix)
Visualization Software. This software helps investigators create visual displays of data to show relationships between people, companies, and events. (eg: Tableau)
GPS Tracking Software. This software allows investigators to track and monitor the movement of individuals or vehicles. (eg: Google Maps)
Social Media Analysis Software. This software helps investigators analyze and monitor social media accounts to uncover information about individuals or events. (eg: Crimson Hexagon)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)
International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
International Association for Identification (IAI)
National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD)
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA)
International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST)
National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)
American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI)

We also have Investigative Specialist, Civil Investigator, and Process Service Investigator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Discovery. The process of obtaining evidence and facts relevant to a case.
Document Review. Reviewing documents to determine their relevance to a case.
Interviews. Conducting interviews with witnesses and other parties to a case.
Evidence Preservation. Preserving evidence such as documents, photographs, and other items that may be used in a court of law.
Court Testimony. Providing testimony or expert opinion in court.
Forensic Analysis. Analyzing digital evidence to determine its relevance to a case.
Investigation. Gathering facts and conducting investigations to determine the truth of the matter.
Litigation Support. Providing assistance to attorneys in the preparation and presentation of cases.
Records Retrieval. Obtaining records from external sources, such as government offices or private companies.
Surveillance. Gathering evidence through observation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Litigation Support Investigator?

A Litigation Support Investigator is a professional who provides investigative services to attorneys, law firms, corporations and other clients to assist in the resolution of litigation cases.

What types of services do Litigation Support Investigators provide?

Litigation Support Investigators provide a variety of services including research, interviews, surveillance, evidence collection and analysis, computer forensics, trial preparation and more.

What qualifications are required to become a Litigation Support Investigator?

A qualified Litigation Support Investigator typically has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field. Some employers may require additional certifications and/or experience in the field.

How much does a Litigation Support Investigator make?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Litigation Support Investigators is $61,450 as of May 2020.

What organizations employ Litigation Support Investigators?

Litigation Support Investigators are employed by law firms, government agencies, private businesses, and other organizations.

Web Resources

Litigation Support Analyst Job Description | What Do They Do? fremont.edu
Litigation | Office of the General Counsel - Harvard University ogc.harvard.edu
litigation | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute www.law.cornell.edu