Which of the following best defines a Private Investigator?

The definition of a Private Investigator primarily revolves around the role of someone who conducts investigations for private entities or individuals. This usually includes gathering information for various purposes such as legal cases, insurance claims, or personal matters. A Private Investigator operates independently from government law enforcement agencies and typically works for private firms or as freelancers seeking to solve specific inquiries or cases.

This role requires various skills, including research, interviewing, and sometimes surveillance, to collect evidence that can aid in legal or personal matters. It is distinct from other roles in security and law enforcement, where the focus might be more on protection or security services rather than investigative work for private clients.

In contrast, the other options focus on aspects of security and protection rather than investigation. The definitions provided in those options are either too broad or pertain to roles and activities that do not encapsulate the essence of a Private Investigator's responsibilities and functions. For instance, being authorized to protect individuals or property relates more to security personnel than to an investigator's duties. Thus, the choice identifying the best match for the definition of a Private Investigator is the one pointing towards conducting investigations for private firms.