What is BS 102000 - Code of practice for the provision of investigative services about?

BS 102000 gives recommendations for the conduct, management, staffing and operational accountability for the provision of investigative services.

BS 102000 is specifically designed to provide a broad set of procedures to assist the investigative provider in adhering to industry best practices; BS 102000 also draws attention to the case management procedures, data handling regulations and the employment practices applicable to the investigation. BS 102000 also recommends how the organization can demonstrate it has the financial and operational resources available to provide the services offered and is competent and provides recourse in the event of a complaint.

Additionally, BS 102000 can be used by those who wish to purchase investigative services.

Who is BS 102000 - Code of practice for the provision of investigative services for?

BS 102000 on code of practice for the provision of investigative services is useful for:

Financial services
Operational services
Managers
Providers of investigative services

Why should you use BS 102000 - Code of practice for the provision of investigative services?

An investigation, regardless of type, is likely to follow a set process. There are varying practices, legal protocols and restrictions in place that could influence how the process is applied, depending on specialist enquiries, but in essence investigations follow a pattern called the inference cycle.

BS 102000 was introduced to try and help deal with the problem of unscrupulous activity among private investigators. BS 102000 sets out guidelines and specifications for providers of investigative services, to demonstrate their accountability at a time when the government is looking further into the official licensing of such services.

BS 102000 also informs that the investigative service provider should possess a clearly defined management structure showing control and accountability at each level of operation.

BS 102000 covers the following code of conduct:

Responsibility and accountability
Honesty and integrity
Conflicts of interest
Compliance with the law
Authority, respect, and courtesy
Equality
Confidentiality
General conduct
Challenging and reporting improper conduct

What’s changed since the last update?

BS 102000:2018 supersedes BS 102000:2013. BS 102000:2018 includes some technical changes concerning BS 102000:2013. These include:

An enhanced definition of "investigation"
The introduction of a definition of "person of interest"
Updated references
Reconsideration of the vetting processes

Private Investigators as well as employees or departments carrying out in-house investigations, eg solicitors, insurers, financial institutions, communications companies and healthcare companies, to ensure the public is protected from any unscrupulous activity of purported investigators.

BS 102000:2018

Code of practice for the provision of investigative services

Current, Under Review

Published:

31 Aug 2018