Even though a private investigator is not law enforcement, it is important to note that P.I.s need to be properly licensed, and have the right credentials to work in that capacity. Once you are properly credentialed as a private investigator, you can help others find people, gather evidence, and perform other functions. You can get help in your efforts with an Android phone. The right apps on your smart phone can help you do your job better. Here are 25 Android apps that P.I.s might find useful:

GPS and Mapping Apps

You can use GPS and mapping applications to find subjects, and ensure that you don’t get lost. These applications can also be used to track subjects, seeing where they go. You can mark locations on your map and look at them later to work out patterns.

1. Google Maps Navigation: A great app that combines Google Maps and GPS functionality. You can use this to find your way, and follow a route. Or, you can use it for street view. A great way to see what’s happening on the street where a subject leaves.
2. CoPilot: A GPS app that offers great functionality. Helps you find your way, and allows you to plan routes. You can use this in conjunction with your P.I. activities.
3. Layar: This is a cool app that allows you to add real time information about where you are at. Use it to add information about a particular scene. You can receive added information from info previously entered, and add your own. Great for adding information about what you are seeing.
4. a2b: Add voice notes about locations you are visiting. When you are watching someone, or research information while you look for a missing person, you can add your impressions about a location, and they will remain on the map and help you do your work.
5. Sherpa: Another GPS app that integrates information about your surroundings and different locations. Also allows you, as the user, to add your own information, including recommendations and reminders related to a specific location.
6. Enkin: Use your camera, along with what’s already there from the web, to add information about different locations. Add your own placemarkers. Perfect for if you have to revisit a location, or if you want to rule one out.
7. AndNav: Helpful navigational maps for Android. Great way to ensure that you always know where you are.
8. Advanced GPS Tool: You can use this tool with Google Maps. Advanced tools that allow you to set locations, as well as record miles. This is great if you want to deduct miles on your taxes when driving for your P.I. business.
9. GPS Optimisation: Designed to improve the GPS signal for your phone. Perfect if you want to get a little boost.

Information Apps

These apps are great for finding information, and for storing it. Look up names and numbers, and do research. These apps can help you do your job better, and can help you get a little more information about a subject, or learn more about some other subject that might be of use.

10. WhitePages: Use this Android app to find phone numbers, and learn more about locating people.
11. Perfect Public Records: You can search public records. Look up criminal records, court records, military records and more. A great way to start any investigation, and something that can be of use for you when you begin a case.
12. Private i: Use this app to help you look for information, find records and hunt down subjects. A helpful app for many P.I.s.
13. The Detection of Forgery: Learn more about how to detect forgery. Understand the principles behind handwriting comparison. An interesting reference for those interested in handwriting.
14. BeenVerified: An amazing Android application that runs background checks. You can do a quick background check on clients, or even on subjects. Great tool if you want to check on people.
15. Mobile Background Check: Another background checking application that you can use to look for information on others.
16. MobiStealth: This is a spy app meant as a tracking app. You can put it on someone’s phone to track them, and find out where they go. Placing it might be a problem, though.

Organization Apps

A private investigator needs to be organized. A P.I. should be able to keep information straight, and have it readily available. Meetings, or information about where a subject might be at a specific time might need to be recorded. You can use organization apps to help you keep appointments and information straight, and record your thoughts and impressions.

17. DropBox: If you want to synchronize your files, you can use this app. It’s great for making sure that you can keep your files in order.
18. Jorte: Great scheduler and organization app. It’s a helpful appointment organizer. Add notes, and keep your meetings in order.
19. CallTrack: Log your calls right to Google apps. You can keep track of calls that come in, and even those you miss. Keep up with clients and others with help from this app.
20. Evernote: Keep your thoughts organized. You can note things you see, and go back to them later. A great tool for keep track of everything.
21. Voice Recorder: You can make voice notes, for easy retrieval. You can also record others. Record meetings, and listen in later.
22. ToDoRoo: Organizational app and reminder. Keeps you updated on your schedule, and even offers reminders. Never miss a meeting, and keep up with your tasks as they are related to your P.I. work.
23. Document Scanner: Scan documents. Whether you are researching at the library, or found some evidence, this scanner can help you keep track of what you find, and properly organize it.
24. Time Recording: You can keep track of your time. If you bill by the hour, this is a great organizational tool.
25. AK Notepad: Awesome Android app that allows you to simply jot notes. You can search later by title, or customize the way they look.

1. Official CSI site offers a look at CSI from the official source. You can watch past episodes, read episode recaps, see teasers from the upcoming season, chat while you watch and enjoy cast information and interviews.
2. CSI:The Experience provides a behind the scenes look at a special exhibit about CSI and what goes into the show. While the physical exhibit runs for a limited time, the Web site is chock full of images, cast information and a fun test that lets you analyze the evidence.
3. CSI: Fan Club provides insight into all three CSI shows (Las Vegas, Miami and New York). Image galleries, forums, and character profiles are available.
4. CSI: Fanatic provides great spoilers from upcoming episodes, as well as cast bios from all three shows. There is also a section on the CSI show in the news, and other forensics issues. There are also fun games and quizzes that you can take.
5. CSI Files offers episode guides, news and really cool interviews with cast members from all three shows.
6. CSI Wiki is a WetPaint site that allows you to contribute. There is CSI news, as well as images, videos, trivia and a page that connects you to still more CSI fan sites.
7. TV Loop’s CSI page is a fun place to go and play quizzes about the show. Additionally, you can join the discussion, read show recaps and get quotes from characters in the show. Read fan chains and interact with others who love CSI almost as much as you do.
8. CSI Wikia represents another fan Wiki containing videos, images and character bios from all three CSI shows. You can also get templates and get ideas for CSI-related projects.
9. Shades On Shades Off is a CSI fan site devoted to CSI Miami. There are bios for the cast members, including pretty cool images from other projects cast members have been involved with (i.e. David Caruso in NYPD Blue).
10. CSI Forensics is devoted to showing you around the world of CSI. Episode recaps from all three shows, as well as information on the series, CSI challenges (you can compare your case solve rate to others’), and information on cast and characters.
11. Home of the GSR Addict is devoted to a number of aspects of CSI. You can see episode updates, and see images and videos. You can also read about “geek love” between characters on CSI, as well as get some cool behind the scenes looks as well.
12. Crimelab.nl is actually a New Zealand CSI fan site. It is devoted to all three CSI shows, and also includes information on NCIS and Cold Case, as well as other forensic science shows. Quotes, character bios, merchandise and other cool features can be found.
13. Talk CSI provides a place to chat about the three shows, and enjoy the comraderie of like-minded individuals. This site includes announcements about the show, episode guides and other helpful information and tidbits.
14. Boxxet CSI page offers a great chance to buy merchandise, watch videos and view images. You can also see episode recaps and get previews and spoilers from upcoming episodes. Get new about the show — including information about press tours.
15. MySpace CSI Fan Club is a place for MySpace users to congregate and share information about the show. There are videos, as well as music and information on cast members. It includes a “Who I’d Like to Meet Feature” that is quite interesting.
16. CSI at TV.com has a great place to learn about the show and the cast members. You can watch full episodes, as well as see reviews of the show, see images and read about the cast and crew. There is also a blog and trivia related to CSI.
17. Watching CSI offers show news and interviews with CSI stars. News about all three CSI shows is available, along with images and some videos. Episode recaps and commentary are also available.
18. CSI at Wikipedia has a great bit of information on the show, its background and its episodes. Learn interesting tidbits about things like where the show’s theme song came from, and keep up with releases. There is even a section on CSI parodies.
19. CSI on Facebook is a good place to watch videos, see fan photos and comment on what you see. There are also individual Facebook pages for each of the three shows, with CSI Miami page having the most fans.
20. CSI at IMDB provides detailed cast bios, along with episode lists from all three shows. You can watch videos and full episodes, as well as view images. Plot synopses are avvailable as well.
21. CSI: NY Fan Wiki is devoted to the CSI: NY installment of the show. The wiki allows fans to contribute. Episode details and images are available. Additionally, there is a section on relationships between characters. Vote for which characters you want to see get together. There are other polls and activities as well.
22. CSI Fan Club at FanPop offers video, photos, bios and more. Additionally, there is a question forum where people can get their questions about the show answered.
23. William Peterson Appreciation Page devotes itself to the actor who plays “Grissom” on CSI. Even though he left the show, many are still enthralled with him, and there are rumors that he will be back. These rumors are untrue right now, but if you want your “Grisson” fix you can get it with pictures and video, as well as information on projects he is involved with beyond CSI.
24. CSI Fanfic is for those who are interested in fan fiction. Want to create art or additional stories using characters from CSI? Want to read what others are doing with CSI characters? This is the place for you!
25. GRSFanGirl writes fan fiction, as well as provides videos and photos from the show.