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Books and films about detectives have exposed people to preconceived notions about private investigators (PIs). The following are some of these widespread misconceptions:

Every day is filled with action: Although a PI's job can get thrilling now and then, there are also times when work can get monotonous. There are days when detectives spend hours in their cars waiting for just a single evidence.

They work solo: In most films, PIs are depicted as a solo worker. On the contrary, statistics from the Bureau of Labor show that only 1 in 5 PIs is self-employed; most work for a company or agency.

The Sherlock Holmes hat and coat: Dressing like Sherlock to appear stealthy may not really be the best disguise. Investigators usually wear clothes that help them blend well with their surroundings that they are monitoring.

They record and listen in on phone conversations: In most states, it is actually illegal to wiretap calls without the legal consent of parties involved. Some states, however, allow the recording of a conversation as long as one party is in agreement.

Image source: abc.net.au

PIs can access protected information: Most detective films have scenes where the PI enters an office secretly to look for a document in a filing cabinet while holding a flashlight. In reality, it is illegal for PIs to obtain documents protected by federal law. Moreover, they are not allowed to enter or break into a house or a building without the consent of the owner.

An award-winning criminal justice professional, Adam Quirk has worked for the US Investigations Services, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is currently working as a private investigator in his own company, Stealth Advise, LLC. For more articles on private investigation, subscribe to this blog.