what is the difference between a private detective and a private investigator?

Answer 1

None.

Answer 2

Private investigator's role is limited to some extent in the events. Private investigators are officially involved and they are obliged to introduce themselves to the persons/places/organizations when doing an investigation. They are supposed to submit an official report after the investigation.

The roles of Private detectives are not like that. The assignment may be secret and their activities also may be without any introduction to anyone. They collect the clues, evidences, connections and motives of an event by any means they can, taking all responsibilities of their activities by themselves.

Answer 3

No difference & I have been a private investigator for almost 8 years!

Answer 4

Since a detective is an investigator...nothing. Just depends on where you come from as to what they are called.

Answer 5

a private detective works for a police agency, a private investigator works for you (generalized)

Answer 6

one says investigator, and the other detective, but that's the only difference, detective has connotations with the police force, so is now less used than investigator.

Answer 7

investigators investigate a then b then c

Detectives want to detect. a then b then c =a result.

Answer 8

Barneby Jones and Rockford, Barneby was a investigator and Rockford was a detective

Answer 9

detective is a spy while investigator is a questioner

Answer 10

They are one and the same.. Kind of like Police Officer or Police Patrolman.

Answer 11

There is absolutely no difference in these occupations whatsoever ---
It is like saying mechanic and auto repairman !!