While the James Bond image is popular with the crowds, we have yet to know a PI or such that can keep his hair so finely tuned during a stake out. Trench coats " a la Bogart," are still popular amongst our kind, but usually kept in the closet as one of those rarely used eye catcher's that a PI cannot wear because it would be too conspicuous. Baseball caps, blue jeans, sturdy boots or jogging shoes and casual non-descript clothing is the name of this game. One can't blend in with the crowd when everyone notices your Armani suit - unless of course Armani is required. Image is a strange companion to the PI. Clients want the sophisticated stereotypical Bond look when they walk into our office, however, what they need to get the job done is an adjustable "look" that can go everywhere anytime.

Lifestyle issues for the average PI is an interesting topic. We don't have lives. Nope, no fun. All work no play. Go ahead ask our families. You can't ask our friends we don't have any. Our closest companions (aside from our agitated kin) are our cars and computers, cell phones and related equipment. Often we have surveilled people long enough and insinuated ourselves so deeply undercover that a targeted suspect thinks we are their friends! The reality is that the investigation has just been in-depth enough that we've done a great job and are gathering info for covert purposes.

We don't look like Tom Sellick, and we don't want to, it would cause too much attention. We can't tell you what we really look like or tell you much about ourselves at all because we appear on the streets, malls and offices near you, so, it would blow our cover. And this is precisely why you see few Private Investigators willing to be interviewed by the media. Thankfully there is technology today that allows a PI to disguise their voices and appearance during an interview, unfortunately this does not always protect the PI's identity. That is: the silhouetted shape of the body seen on television, the individual's distinctive manner of speech or choice of words, combined in relationship to a particular crime or case being profiled on the show, is sometimes all that is needed for the criminal element to recognize and unveil the PI's true identity and ultimate role in the underground investigation. Print publications offer anonymity and safeguard the necessary requirements a PI has that allow him/her to operate their businesses realistically and safely.

A PI's family and personal social circle (if they have time for one) cannot be discussed at all, as this would jeopardize their safety.

The specific contacts a PI agency works with can be discussed on a need to know basis only; that is, with particular co-operative agencies, and often not even then. This is because - first and foremost - an investigative agency's or individual PI's personal skills combined with their network of contacts are what makes them successful - or not. The network contacts are part of the agency's "trade secrets" that mark an agency for success and separating them from the rest. Obviously a PI must also protect it's data base of contacts from leaking, due to criminal elements, putting the contact(s) at risk.

Stay tuned for more informative articles from CPI and have some fun with a PI agency that isn't afraid to tell it like it really is.