Do private detectives really help police solve crimes like in TV shows and books?
It’s a staple of mystery fiction. The incredibly talented private detective the police call to help with a puzzling case. Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, Jessica Fletcher, Ellery Queen, Mike Hammer, the “Psych” guys, Monk, etc. But is it realistic at all? Do the police really “consult” with private detectives to help them solve cases?
- darth_borehd
Tags: Ellery Queen, Mike Hammer, Miss Marple, Mystery Fiction, Private Detective
May 18th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Sometimes during a difficult case, outside help can be brought in, but this is rare. Most cases are solved by the police.
May 18th, 2009 at 9:06 am
No Mike Hammer Jessica Fletcher, Ellery Queen would charge a fee also.
May 20th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Not really. In all my years I had one case that involved a PI, a very high end PI. This PI had already been hired for surveillance of my murder victim. His client was my main suspect. The PI cooperated and was able to provide some stuff that I as a cop would not normally be able to get, like credit information (unlike on TV police are prohibited by fed law from accessing much credit info) and some illegal wire taps he had done.
Since he was working for a suspect I could not totally believe all that he provided or if he provided all the information he had.
No Holmes, no Monk, no people with “special talents” that weren’t real law enforcement. I consulted with such people as anthropologists and other specialists in, usually scientific, fields, but that was in thier field and not really people who could solve the case.
I have had psychics volunteer to help on some cases that made the papers big but they are useless and just seeking publicity.
May 21st, 2009 at 10:30 am
It’s never happened in my career.