<p>When it comes to television, there are a million different types of shows to watch at any given moment. However, there is one genre that continues to triumph over the rest—crime dramas. There’s just something about these shows that draws viewers in and makes us feel like we’re part of the elusive process of criminal investigation. Obviously, we’d never want to be confronted with the task of solving a murder mystery, but there are other aspects of life that may require us to do some detective work of our own.</p>
<p>Perhaps you’d like to find out if the person you’re dating has a criminal record, or maybe you’re curious about those creepy neighbors who always look like they’re up to no good. Well lucky for you, there are tons of different resources you can use to hone your detective skills. An article on Yahoo! Voices recommends <a href=”http://voices.yahoo.com/instant-checkmates-guide-being-internet-detective-12473093.html?cat=15″>using Check Mate</a>, a site that allows you to run online background checks to find out if someone you know is hiding any dark secrets.</p>
<p>So, since we’ve got detective work on our minds, we decided to look back on some of our favorite TV sleuths. Sadly, these characters are no longer with us, but all of them hold a very special place in our detective-loving hearts. Check them out below!</p>
<h2>1. Gil Grissom — <em>CSI: Crime Scene Investigation</em></h2>
<p>Any self-professed <em>CSI</em> fan will be the first to admit that it’s just not the same without our beloved Gil Grissom. Don’t get us wrong, it’s <a href=”http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/20561730/csi-writer-cracks-code-to-success/”>still a great show</a>, but Grissom and his Sherlock Holmes-like detective style added a dimension that we can’t help but miss. He was witty and determined, and had no qualms about breaking the rules. All Grissom cared about was solving the crime at hand, which he did—always.</p>
<h2>2. Dexter Morgan — <em>Dexter</em></h2>
<p>Showtime’s <em>Dexter</em> premiered in 2006, and it was an immediate success. The plot-line is centered on the title character, Dexter Morgan, played by actor Michael C. Hall. In the show, Dexter is a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, but that’s not all he does; he’s also a serial killer. Yup, Dexter tortures and kills people, but only those who deserve it—i.e. other killers. If Dexter thinks a killer has escaped justice, he will take care of them himself. It may sound crazy, but the show’s massive fan base speaks for itself.</p>
<h2>3. Mike Ehrmantraut — <em>Breaking Bad</em></h2>
<p>Yeah, that last name is a doozy, but don’t even worry about trying to pronounce it. Die-hard <em>Breaking Bad</em> fans (like us) simply know him as Mike; the expert sleuth who did whatever it took to get the job done. Mike’s assignments were extreme and more often than not, his job entailed <a href=”http://mattersofgrey.com/the-rap-sheet-on-the-breaking-bad-characters-infographic/”>some form of criminal activity</a> including breaking and entering, assault, and murder—just to name a few. However, there was something likable about Mike. Maybe it was his genuine love for his granddaughter, or the fact that he was a bonafide bad ass in every sense of the word. But no matter what kind of illegal shenanigans he got into, fans were always rooting for him; at least until his untimely demise in season four.</p>
<h2>4. Hank Schrader — <em>Breaking Bad</em></h2>
<p>We had to include another favorite from <em>Breaking Bad</em> because the show was just that good, and no list would be complete without a shout-out to Detective Hank Schrader. Schrader was a volatile but determined DEA agent who became obsessed with the task of revealing the true identity of Heisenberg. Little did he know, the kingpin was his own brother-in-law, and that his rogue detective work would get him killed in the final season. Nonetheless, Hank Schrader played a key role in the unprecedented success of <em>Breaking Bad</em>, and he will forever be one of our favorite TV detectives.</p>
<h2>5. Adrian Monk — <em>Monk</em></h2>
<p>Unlike the other shows on the list, <em>Monk</em> had a comedic element thanks to the title character. Tony Shalhoub played Adrian Monk, a former homicide detective plagued by obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as a long list of phobias. Although his time working in the field had passed, Monk continued his detective work as a consultant for the San Francisco Police Department, and each episode was centered around the trials and tribulations of his profession. His character was extremely popular among viewers, and the series finale <a href=”http://watching-tv.ew.com/2009/12/05/monk-finale/”>held the record</a> for television’s “Most Watched Scripted Drama Episode” in history from 2009 to 2012.</p>
<p>Which TV detectives do YOU miss the most? Let us know in the comments!</p>
<p>Ashley Welter is a blogger from San Diego, CA. She specializes in writing about crime, pop culture, and entertainment. </p>
