Some of the best (and most hilarious) games I have played had absolute detective scans, if we are going by fun factor here. I recall many times a detective tried to make a case on someone and it ended up backfiring. The most notable case off the top of my head was when CDF tried to get Pizzaguy lynched and Pizzaguy actually managed to convince town that he was the detective and CDF was the Mafia!

Every time I have been a absolute scan detective, it has ended in a absolute bloodbath for town or my faction. The problem that I see here is that if players think your scummy, you can't really do anything other then die or fool them. Most players can't be fooled that easily and as a result they scan you to be sure. When that happens I know you are tempted to think "THAT IS A DUMB ROLE" but doesn't the fault of not being able to fool the detective role rest with you? I know I blame myself even more then the detective role anyway.(or try to anyway)

In a game where mafia can recruit, a detective is a must but in other games I am not so sure if it is that useful anymore. Something to ponder on or make note of at least.