Trench Coat and Fedora? From the Real Life of a Private Detective | MZ Interview with Patrick Kurtz

Julia Rau, journalist at the MZ, interviewed Patrick Kurtz, owner of Kurtz Detective Agency Erfurt and Thuringia:

Patrick Kurtz is one of Germany’s leading detectives. The young entrepreneur moves from one TV show to the next and even advises filmmakers on making detective work look authentic. He explained the reality of his work to MZ reporter Julia Rau.

How does one become a detective?

Patrick Kurtz: “The detective profession in Germany is not legally protected; anyone with a clean criminal record may register a detective business. Typically, one has previously worked with investigative authorities such as the police or customs. I studied and acquired the specialist knowledge for detective work through additional training at the Security Academy in Berlin. Entering the profession without training would have been suicidal. Unfortunately, many still do it that way.”

What does one learn in training?

Patrick Kurtz: “The most important thing is the legal foundation. Violating the law, for example regarding data protection, can get you and the client into serious trouble. Practically, one learns observation techniques, fingerprint collection, securing evidence, detecting eavesdropping devices, and how to conduct IT forensic investigations.”

Are career changers a problem in the industry?

Patrick Kurtz: “Yes, if they lack the necessary legal and investigative knowledge. Poorly trained detectives inevitably do substandard work, which damages the reputation of the entire profession. The industry already struggles with its public image. TV shows often create unrealistic expectations; clients sometimes ask if we – like TV detectives – intimidate people or extract information by force. We then have to explain how our work really functions.”

And how does it work in reality?

Patrick Kurtz: “Clients usually hire us because they suspect something. Most commonly we deal with fraud – private, such as infidelity, but also in business. Frequently, it’s sick leave abuse, where employees claim illness but pursue hobbies incompatible with recovery or work an undeclared side job. We also investigate maintenance fraud, expense fraud, theft from businesses, or embezzlement – often by delivery drivers diverting goods. We are also involved in more extreme cases, sometimes with unusual investigative methods. Last November, for example, we used scent-tracking dogs to search for the missing Anja B., recently found dismembered in Leipzig. The dogs indicated the suspect’s residence and the location of the body several times.”

If Mrs X suspects Mr X of an affair, what happens?

Patrick Kurtz: “First, we define the time frame during which Mr X could be involved, if the client can estimate it. Without a specific suspicion of timing, the subject must be observed over longer periods. We generally have little to no active influence on events; we are passive observers – unlike TV detectives. Sometimes the unfaithful spouse might be seen kissing their partner on the street for two hours, and the case is over. Other times, nothing relevant happens for days.”

Do suspicions usually prove correct?

Patrick Kurtz: “I’d estimate about 75 percent of cases. If the client allows and funds extended observation, suspicions are usually confirmed. Of course, it’s a financial question; one hour of detective work costs €55. Fewer hours reduce the likelihood of obtaining evidence.”

How is an observation conducted?

Patrick Kurtz: "Most observations begin in a car, but if the subject is travelling on foot or by train, we follow them on foot accordingly. Spending an entire day in a car is not uncommon."

And what happens if the subject leaves the country?

Patrick Kurtz: "Then we follow, provided the client wishes it. This happens quite regularly. If the subject unexpectedly heads to the airport, it must of course be clarified with the client whether the pursuit should continue, since they also have to cover the costs."

How else do you gather information besides observations?

Patrick Kurtz: "In preparation for an observation we normally carry out an online search. It becomes difficult when we are asked to investigate retrospectively, for example if a company suspects an employee of past expense fraud. We can no longer observe that directly, but there are, among other measures, covert interviews. A 'legend' is a pretext used in investigations to obtain information. One might pose as a technician and collect information in conversation. In general, one must be able to adapt: when observing on a construction site, it often works best to appear in workwear; at an upscale evening event, a suit is appropriate. Sometimes detectives are even embedded in client companies as a new colleague to discreetly investigate incidents and build personal relationships with targets."

Is the job dangerous?

Patrick Kurtz: "Rarely. There are dangerous situations, but no more than, say, for an electrician. Once we had a case where a family was searching for their daughter. When we found her, she told us in tears that she had not gone missing but had deliberately fled her family because she feared for her life. At her request we did not disclose the address. The family, of course, was not pleased and threatened two of my employees."

Are subjects ever asked whether they want to be found?

Patrick Kurtz: "Generally not. In that case it was an address search without legitimate interest. Detective work always involves an intrusion into the subject’s right to privacy. To legalise that intrusion we need a sufficient justification — the legitimate interest. If legitimate interest for an address search is lacking, we proceed by asking the subject whether we may disclose their address. Because the daughter in the example was an adult, the family had no right to learn her whereabouts if she did not want them to know. That is the right of self-determination. It is different when we search for a debtor, because then a legitimate interest exists and thus a justification to intrude into the subject’s privacy. The debtor is not asked in such cases, legitimate interest takes precedence."

What skills are required to be a detective?

Patrick Kurtz: "You need stamina and patience for observations, and must cope with hunger, thirst, heat and cold. High concentration is essential, for example to focus on a door from which no one has emerged for hours. Logical thinking is also important to piece together the puzzle in complex matters. In economic offences there are often multi-layered illegal connections with international monetary transactions; combinatorial skills are needed to understand these links. For interviews it helps to be able to empathise with people. If you build a legend, you should be a convincing liar to present it credibly. Not every detective possesses all these skills. One investigator may be an excellent observer but become nervous during covert interviews."

Is detective work a male-dominated field?

Patrick Kurtz: "Yes, women are scarce. Unfortunately, because they are very valuable in various investigative areas. Recently we had a case where a couple often used the sauna. It is less conspicuous if the observer also appears as a couple in the sauna. Moreover, most people would be less likely to suspect a woman of being a detective."

Original source from MZ: 

www.mz-web.de/halle-saale/trenchcoat-und-schlapphut--aus-dem-wirklichen-leben-eines-privatdetektivs-26736332

 

Kurtz Detective Agency Erfurt and Thuringia

Arnstädter Straße 50 

99096 Erfurt

Tel.: +49 361 2243 0020

Fax: +49 361 2243 0029

E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-erfurt.de

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