Heavily fictionalized and dramatized through cinema, private detectives have always evoked the layman's curiosity. The real life counterparts of these fictionalized heroes may not be as glamorous but their exploits are as fascinating. 

Over the years, the scope of private investigators has grown to a point where they can favorably be compared with institutionalized investigative agencies like the police or CBI. Snooping on people and even helping catch culprits, private detectives today play an indispensable role, especially in a cosmopolitan milieu where the nature and complexity of cases go beyond the scope of the police. Thus those with a feel for this kind of work will do well to enter into this profession. 

Surprising as it may seem, a large number of women have chosen to enter this field and are as good, if not better than their male counterparts at their jobs.