Private investigator TV Fantasy vs. Reality

Private investigator TV Fantasy vs. Reality
Have you ever felt short changed from the work of a private investigator? Maybe you felt that since you paid the private investigator, he or she should have done more to get the evidence and facts that you needed. It is important to understand what a private investigator can and can’t do!
What about using a GPS units to trace vehicle locations, chat room log entries, email passwords, land line phone or cell phone call records, bank account statement information,
Have you ever watched Magnum PI (1980s) or The Dresden Files (2007)? If so, do you tend to think that since you watched it on TV it can happen in real life? Let’s take a look at what some of the TV private investigators do…
If you have never seen Magnum PI or The Dresden Files then maybe you have seen House season 5 episode 2 “Not Cancer.” In this episode Gregory House is worried about finding a replacement for Wilson (fellow). House decides to hire a private investigator to do all the dirty work Wilson used to do.
The private investigator is hired to dig up information about the deceased as well as spy on his colleges. In episode 3 “Adverse Events”, Lucas (PI) is advised by House to spy on a married couple, but Lucas also wants to spy on Dr. Cuddy. Cuddy thinks she spots Lucas in the lobby but he hired someone to look like him. This is a diversion by Lucas so he can go through her drawers in her office. When Cuddy catches Lucas in her office he offers to give her information about House in return for a chance to talk to her.
Although this makes interesting entertainment for TV, in reality PI’s are not allowed to break into someone’s office or exchange client information in return for new information. In reality, individuals have a right of privacy. Entering a place that an individual reasonably expects to be private without consent is breaking the law. A person’s office is a place one can reasonably expect privacy.
The second law that would have been broken if done in reality is the disclosure of client information. Private investigators are prohibited by law to disclose or betray the trust of confidence placed in them by the client. Failure to maintain client confidentiality could result in loss of license, suspension, and/or fines.
The Dresden Files is about a Chicago-based private eye, Harry Dresden, who has a unique ability to cast spells, mix potions, foretell the future and alter fate. In season 1 episode 3, Harry goes to the crime scene to investigate. Harry calls upon his friend Bob (dead spirit) to help solve the crime. Bob has to touch the blood to find out whose blood it is. In reality this would be considered tampering with evidence.
Private Investigators are never allowed to touch anything that might be considered as evidence used in a criminal prosecution. If evidence is touched, moved, or hidden a private investigator could be committing up to three separate crimes; obstructing justice, aiding and abetting, and becoming an accessory after the fact.
Magnum PI was a hit TV show back in the 80s. Tom Selleck starred as Thomas Magnum, a private eye with very rarefied tastes; Magnum was hired to handle security for a reclusive mystery writer named Robin Masters. In season 3 episode 3 Magnum PI crosses over with another popular PI TV show (Simon and Simon) at the time. In this episode, Californian P.I.s A.J. and Rick Simon arrive in Hawaii to try and track down a "cursed" artifact, which is due to be sold at a high society auction on the Masters Estate. Rick and A.J. pretended to be pest control in order to gain entry into the Robin Masters Estate to steal the Ki’i. Again this makes great entertainment, but in reality this would be trespassing and grand theft. A private investigator is trespassing when he or she goes onto private property without license or privilege to do so.
Don’t always believe what you see on TV! The important thing to remember is just because you watched it on TV does not mean a private investigator can do it in real life! In TV land there are no limits or laws. In reality private investigators do have limits and laws that prevent them from doing what you have seen on TV.
Private Investigators are licensed under Chapter 493 F.S. – this does not mean we can break any law to obtain information for our clients. Private Investigators will obtain evidence and gather and report facts within the boundaries of the law which, by the way, vary from state to state!
If you have watched any of the Rockford Files you will find that James Rockford regularly commits breaking and entering to obtain incriminating evidence or useful information. He uses brute force or lock picking tools to gain entry. I have also watched as Rockford finds an access door that is unlocked and just walks in. It is still not legal to enter a private place just because it has easy access to enter.
The one thing he usually does do is keep his attorney close by to keep him out of trouble even though he frequently ends up in a cell for some period of time anyway.
What do you think a private investigator is allowed to do?
Have a question? Leave us a comment or if you are not sure about something you can call us and talk with one of our private investigators at A Team Security and Investigations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Investigation Agency License A 2500178