Who is considered excluded from the definitions of a private investigator?

The correct answer identifies public officers and attorneys with investigatory duties as those excluded from the definitions of a private investigator. This exclusion exists because their roles are inherently tied to their positions within public service or legal practice, where they typically perform investigative tasks as part of their official responsibilities. They are not acting as private investigators in the traditional sense, as their work is guided by public interest and regulatory frameworks specific to their professions.

Public officers, such as police officers or government investigators, operate under statutes and regulations that govern their conduct and duties. Similarly, attorneys often conduct investigations as part of their legal representation and are bound by the ethics and standards of the legal profession, distinguishing them from individuals or entities providing private investigative services for profit.

In contrast, security guards for hire, independent insurance adjusters, and certified public insurance adjusters perform functions that generally fall under the realm of private investigation or related activities, where they may be subject to licensure and regulation as private investigators, depending on their specific duties. Therefore, they do not fit the criteria for exclusion in the same manner as public officers and attorneys with investigatory roles.