5 Myths of Private Investigators

If you think that private investigators act the way they are characterized in films or television shows, your view of their daily lives may be significantly skewed.

While these fictional scenarios are entertaining, they fail to accurately mirror the life of a private investigator.

Here are 5 Private Investigator Myths Dispelled:

  1. Myth #1: Days are filled with action and suspense – Unlike a Hollywood thriller, most days are not characterized by high-speed car chases. An investigator spends a significant portion of their time gathering information and assessing the evidence that is pertinent to their client and/or usable in a court of law. This might include hours alone in a car to get a single piece of evidence, where it’s imperative to not lose focus despite the monotonous circumstances.
  2. Myth #2: They wear trench coats or dress mysteriously – While it may seem convenient to picture an investigator dressed in a stealth outfit, realistically this type of attire would work against the approach an investigator desires. The hope is to blend into the surroundings, appearing like an indistinguishable “regular Joe.” This means that an investigator will dress appropriately for the given situation. As an example, he might wear jeans and a t-shirt to the mall or slacks and a dress shirt to a restaurant.
  3. Myth #3: Following someone is easy – Detection is something an investigator hopes to avoid since it could result in a target deterring from natural activity. Therefore, maintaining a safe distance is valuable when following someone. However, the larger the distance the more difficult it is to follow. Think of purposely following a friend who knows that you’re doing so, and how easy it is to run into difficulty due to traffic lights, other vehicles etc. Due to these issues, using a multiple person team helps streamline the process.
  4. Myth #4: PI’s have similar authority to policemen and can circumvent the law – Investigators, like all civilians, are subject to the law. Therefore, they must obey the law, and cannot trespass, or impersonate individuals to obtain information. In fact, an experienced individual will understand how evidence is obtained and used in a court of law and will follow the proper precautions to ensure they do not overstep their bounds.
  5. Myth #5: PI’s are rogue individuals, who are not compassionate – Most investigators understand that their clients are searching for the truth in the hopes of obtaining peace of mind. They also are aware that this information can be difficult to digest and will show compassion when they communicate with them during these difficult situations.

Ultimately, the lives of private investigators may not be as exotic as the manner they are portrayed on television. However, that doesn’t mean that the work is not exciting and rewarding.

So if you believe an investigator can help you out with your situation, find a licensed investigator to discuss how they will realistically approach your case.

Any article contained within this website or prepared by Magnum Investigations, LLC, should in no way whatsoever be considered legal advice or suggestion to engage in any practices, behaviors, activities and you should consult with an attorney for legal advice as for Magnum Investigations, LLC and/or its authors are not lawyers. These articles are merely opinions based upon years of experience and firsthand knowledge but in no way should any content contained within be considered legal advice. By reading these articles you assert that you agree to save and hold harmless and wholly indemnify Magnum Investigations, LLC and or its authors.

A photo of a cheating spouse captured by Magnum Investigations private investigator serving NJ and PA.

Cheating Spouse

Surveillance specialists trained to remain undetected.

If you hire a private investigator to catch your cheating spouse, you can’t afford for the investigator to get caught. Most other companies are one-man operations and generally get caught.

Child laying on couch

Child Custody

A 92% success rate with child custody investigations.

The combination of Law Enforcement background, understanding of case law, Specialized Surveillance Skills, compassion and understanding of the emotions that the client is dealing with is a recipe for success that no other company has.

Private detective conducting surveillance in his car

Alimony/Co-habitation

Why pay your ex alimony if she/he is living with a new partner?

Those who invest in a Private Investigator for Alimony usually end up saving tens, and sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars with an Alimony Reduction or a Revocation as a result of our co-habitation investigations.

Progress Bar
5 Tips Hiring Private Investigator Cover

5 Tips When Hiring a Private Investigator

As the owner of a 15+ year old investigation agency, these are my 5 best tips for someone considering video surveillance.

Where can I send this PDF to you?

YOU MUST CALL FOR RATES
Call — (800) 688-9230 *