Myths & Misconceptions

There are many myths that circle private investigations, most of which span from the imaginations of Hollywood writers. The sensationalism of the "Average Joe" transforming into the ultimate problem solver as soon as he puts on his fedora and trench coat has glamorized the profession since Humphrey Bogart played Samuel Spade in "The Maltese Falcon". The most iconic private investigator stories include catching unfaithful spouses, uncovering plots to steal priceless art, and fighting criminal masterminds such as Sherlock Holmes's archenemy Professor Moriarty.

Out of these exciting ventures, the most realistic misconception is that a private investigator's primary purpose is to follow cheating spouses. The market for this type of investigation, especially in California and other No-Fault states, is almost nonexistent Though many private investigators will take on infidelity cases for the purposes of confirming or refuting  their clients suspicions that their spouse is unfaithful; the results have no baring on divorce cases when community property is applied, unless of course a pre-nuptial agreement exists in the marriage.

It would certainly make our jobs more exhilarating if we had the same resources available to Thomas Magnum. Who wouldn't want to jump in to a Ferrari every time we had to track down a new lead? Unfortunately in our business discretion is the better part of valor... so to speak. A Ferrari, as much as it fits the image of a thrill seeking P.I., is memorable. Similarly as an individual in a fedora or deerstalker and trench coat doing any sort of reconnaissance work would be easily pegged as a "gum shoe". Surveillance is a large part of a private detective's job. The key is to be discrete; especially when the surveillance requires that those being surveyed are unaware of its occurrence. Flashy cars and fun hats don't quite fit the bill in these cases.

We also don't have the unlimited resources available to Magnum P.I.Though private investigators develop useful contacts and resources over a career, most of them do not have the ability to pick up the phone and get immediate and unlimited information no matter what case they are working on. In real life it takes time and research.

Private investigators also do not have the ability to obtain the same type of information available to law enforcement. We have access to databases that contain a significant amount of  information; however, databases that are commonly mentioned on crime shows such as National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) are restricted to use by law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, it is a criminal offense for a private investigator to obtain sensitive or confidential law enforcement information.

Though a P.I.'s work can be very interesting, it does not always contain the sparkle that imaginative writers have placed on it. True, the work can vary from case to case and a private detective may need to be creative in order to get their work done; but  high speed chases and helicopter rescues have yet to  be necessary.