# What is extremely common in TV or movies but almost never happens in real life? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 6, 2021, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311 "2021-02-06T04:16:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 192
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3827 "2024-06-18T16:24:41Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > They outlined the body before any investigation could begin, and even more silly, they covered up the body and _then_ took pictures! What was the point of that? I’ve seen a lot of photos at crime/accident scenes with a covered body. They also take a few without the cover, but taking photos with the body covered is routine. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3828 "2024-06-18T16:24:48Z")
I mean it happens all the time just not publicized, mainly in other countries like Mexico with well organized cartels who kidnap people for ransom, get paid off, then return the people relatively safe and sound. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3829 "2024-06-18T17:10:06Z")
… possibly minus a finger or toe, or in extreme cases an ear. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3830 "2024-06-18T17:12:17Z")
Has anybody really had difficulty understanding a phone call because they had “a banana in their ear”? 🤨 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3831 "2024-06-18T19:31:41Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > To be fair, I’m not sure I’ve seen that much in real life either. It is difficult to get hard numbers but- [Kidnapping for ransom—A fateful international growth industry 05/11](https://roughnotes.com/rnmagazine/2011/may2011/2011_05p084.htm#:~:text=There's%20one%20estimate%20that%20only,kidnap%20and%20ransom%20story%20worldwide). _There’s one estimate that only 11% of kidnapping victims are freed without a ransom payment. On the flip side, another source maintains that 40% of all victims are unharmed and safe after a ransom has been paid._ _Yet, all this is only part of the kidnap and ransom story worldwide. It appears that reported kidnappings could account for only about 10% of those that occur. Such a low figure may help explain why many potential victims ignore warnings, particularly about traveling in well-known international “K&R hot spots.”_ So if it is a known professional kidnapping group (in foreign nations) generally those are not reported and the victim is returned. Here in the USA, the numbers are lower. > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Outlining a dead body in chalk, did anyone ever do this? > **[The Debunker: Do Police Outline Dead Bodies in Chalk?](https://www.woot.com/blog/post/the-debunker-do-police-outline-dead-bodies-in-chalk)** > > Unless you’ve dedicated a lot of time to breaking the law, most of what you know about the cops comes from movies and TV, and those may or may not be just the facts, ma’am. All month, Ken Jennings will be exploring the “thin blue line” between police... _If you’re ever murdered, don’t worry about trying to strike some hilarious pose. The old cliché of the tape or chalk silhouette might be a nice visual crutch for a cop movie or TV show, but the police aren’t supposed to outline murder victims anymore, if they ever were.Why not? Because it would contaminate the crime scene… Some uniformed cops have been brainwashed by years of Law & Order reruns into thinking that they’re actually supposed to outline bodies, which has led to the rise of so-called “chalk fairy” contamination. “‘Chalk fairy,’” the author explains, “is a term used to describe mysterious police officers who feel the need to draw lines around the body and then disappear when investigators attempt to find out who contaminated the scene.” Since the “chalk fairies” of tomorrow are now watching CSI instead of Dragnet , I hope they’re learning a whole new array of unrealistic forensic techniques._ ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3832 "2024-06-18T19:39:56Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > well organized cartels who kidnap people for ransom, get paid off, then return the people relatively safe and sound. I imagine their business model would suffer if they didn’t return captives in one piece. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3833 "2024-06-18T19:49:18Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > I imagine their business model would suffer if they didn’t return captives in one piece. Yep, they have to be known for it. Well, maybe not always in one piece- as Lumpy pointed out sometimes a finger needs to be sent. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3834 "2024-06-18T20:19:33Z")
Agreed. “Organized” is the key word here. Your next ransom request will be handled differently if the last one ended up with a dead body. A one-off kidnapping? I’d think the safest method would be to knock off the victim and get out of Dodge fast. Leave no possibility of a witness who could provide valuable details. You have your money, no need to complicate things. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3835 "2024-06-18T22:52:57Z")
Hmmm, sounds like you’ve thought this through… Now that you’ve told us your plan, are we liabilities? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3836 "2024-06-18T23:06:05Z")
Well, I haven’t finalized my business plan yet. Not sure if I’m going long-term or for the one big payout. These are critical decisions for us small business owners. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3837 "2024-06-19T09:29:19Z")
Maybe you can try a pop-up at a local fair, see how the locals take to the idea. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3838 "2024-06-19T14:03:15Z")
Watching an episode of the old show _Inspector Morse_ last night. Someone seems intent on doing Something Bad to someone else in their lodgings. Meanwhile Morse’s junior detective Lewis is at a Greek restaurant with his wife and there’s been a big delay getting their food. The Victim of the Week is the chef for the restaurant. Sure, I bet that happens all the time. They didn’t even go with the trope of the murder happening at the restaurant while Lewis was there. Also, Lewis’s wife has been taking Greek language lessons and Lewis brings in her teacher to help translate. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3839 "2024-06-19T14:33:16Z")
Cops that actually solve the case and find the real perp, not just pin the crime on the nearest (Black) person so their closure rate is up. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3840 "2024-06-19T14:48:44Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Also, Lewis’s wife has been taking Greek language lessons and Lewis brings in her teacher to help translate. Looks like a case of Joyce Barbaby Syndrome, where the detective’s wife has a pastime that neatly fits into the case at hand. BTW, I think **Lewis** is a much better show than **Morse**. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend a watch. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3841 "2024-06-19T15:19:14Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Watching an episode of the old show _Inspector Morse_ last night. Someone seems intent on doing Something Bad to someone else in their lodgings. Meanwhile Morse’s junior detective Lewis is at a Greek restaurant with his wife and there’s been a big delay getting their food. > > The Victim of the Week is the chef for the restaurant. Sure, I bet that happens all the time. They didn’t even go with the trope of the murder happening at the restaurant while Lewis was there. > > Also, Lewis’s wife has been taking Greek language lessons and Lewis brings in her teacher to help translate. Going by that show the murder rate in Oxfordshire must be approaching 100% so it checks out. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3842 "2024-06-19T15:23:55Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > > [@ftg](#): > > > > Also, Lewis’s wife has been taking Greek language lessons and Lewis brings in her teacher to help translate. > > Looks like a case of Joyce Barbaby Syndrome, where the detective’s wife has a pastime that neatly fits into the case at hand. > > BTW, I think **Lewis** is a much better show than **Morse**. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend a watch. Lewis suffers from “I feel icky watching anything with Laurence Fox in it Syndrome.” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3843 "2024-06-19T15:59:09Z")
At one point, after they followed Inspector Morse with Lewis, they were going to continue with a show focused on Hathaway. I’m now kind of glad that never happened. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3844 "2024-06-19T16:01:05Z")
I get the hate for Fox, but he plays the role well and his personality doesn’t stop me from enjoying the show just as I still like Naked Gun despite OJ. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3845 "2024-06-19T16:01:28Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Amazingly enough, yes > > Anjou vs. Boston Elevated Railway (1911) Damn. I stand corrected! Beware of banana peels, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311/3846 "2024-06-19T16:05:54Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I get the hate for Fox, but he plays the role well and his personality doesn’t stop me from enjoying the show just as I still like Naked Gun despite OJ. At least OJ didn’t kill anyone else. Fox continues to do things to make himself more unlikable. I’m mostly with you. I tend to not care about what actors do off camera as long as I like their work. I have a real soft spot for those shows. My mother loved English mystery shows and those were two of her favorites. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311.md?page=191) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311.md?page=193)