Private Investigations in Transition. Phenomena Unobjectionable to the Rule of Law?: Vera Prechtel examines private investigations against the background of the criminal defendants'/defence rights. She differentiates between the various types of investigations and analyzes the extent to which private investigations not only represent an opportunity for the defence, but may also conflict with minimum requirements of the rule of law, especially when private investigators act as de facto auxiliary bodies or according to instructions from the prosecution authorities.