Detective sim?

Good and outgoing might work with genius. You could also use gloomy or active. Self-assured could work too, but honestly lots of detectives in real life have all sorts of different traits and personalities, so I wouldn't think it would be that big of a deal if you wanted to make them whatever you wanted.

I've played a lot of it and I don't think that genius trait helps much. My best detective has been Don Lothario, even if I thought he'd be the worst. He never failed on analyzing evidences, for some reason. My genius Sims, even level 10 on logic, have never been better. Don also had the noncommittal trait that made him tense at work, but it didn't seem to effect on the performance.
I've had Sims with different traits as detectives and I haven't noticed much difference. The one thing that seems to help is to get an observant reward trait. It helps finding out the right Sim to arrest. I usually get that for all my detectives as soon as possible.

That trait that can instantly know the other character's traits is useful for a detective. It's a reward trait though you have to buy. ;)

"Admiral8Q;c-17648602" wrote:

That trait that can instantly know the other character's traits is useful for a detective. It's a reward trait though you have to buy. ;)

Or cheat! ;)

Would of thought the most needed traits are genius and active, police officers have to be fit chase down their bad guys and have intelligence to figure out what a criminal is up through research and study of the Modus Operandi to and get ahead of the criminal so they can be taken in to custody. The last trait of good would really be helpful in making sure your sim doesn't go out their way to act like Vic Mackey from The Shield. :tongue:

Traits don't have much impact on the job, really. Sure its nice with Genious and Active for the skills, but the only trait I always pick no matter the sim, is Observant. Sure its a reward trait but it only costs 500 points, so its quite affordable (and I give it to EVERY sim I ever play). I find it very useful for my sims work collegues (especially combined with Incredibly Friendly). Means insta-friends and no tedious figuring out what traits they have.

For suspects/witnesses, I use the Show/Search SimInfo mod to find out what traits they have. I really don't want my sims to have to introduce him/herself to everyone they meet on the job.

I would avoid choosing traits that could make your Sim uncomfortable around other Sims, such as Good, Evil, Loner, Paranoid, or Hates Children. Other than that, I don't think it makes much difference which traits you choose. I would probably go with Cheerful and Outgoing for two of them. The Observant reward trait is also very useful, as several people have already mentioned.

My best detective Sim - Xenia Ruff - has the Mischivous, Angry and creative trait. She seem to enjoy it while stealing stuff from the crime scenes and threatening suspects with snakes during interrogation.

"Hoverael;c-17648985" wrote:
Would of thought the most needed traits are genius and active, police officers have to be fit chase down their bad guys and have intelligence to figure out what a criminal is up through research and study of the Modus Operandi to and get ahead of the criminal so they can be taken in to custody. The last trait of good would really be helpful in making sure your sim doesn't go out their way to act like Vic Mackey from The Shield. :tongue:

Actually, a lot rides on the player's know-how. I love the Detective career. I get to get my Jessica Fletcher on, so to speak. Yeah, I watch a lot of suspense/mysteries and courtroom drama shows. I love having my Detective play good cop/bad cop on the perp and watch as that Sim squirms. I also make certain lots of pictures get taken at the crime scene and to collect any and all evidence there may be. Interviews are helpful. And then there's the analysis of what's collected and the computer work. It all ties in with the board. Don't forget to have your Sim set up the crime board.

As for traits, I don't think it matters all that much.

My original test sim for the detective career had the traits genius, active and good. Like everyone else said, it doesn't matter much gameplay wise, but it works if you need a backstory.
I actually started playing the detective career again today, with the same sim (a blank copy of him, that is) and I don't remember the career being this amusing to be honest.