Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $46K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $59K
Median Salary: $86K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $111K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $146K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.

Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.

Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.

Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.

Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.

Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.

Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.

Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.

Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.

Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.

Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.

Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.

Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.

Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.

Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.

Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.

Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.

Participate or assist in raids and arrests.

Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.

Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.

Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.

Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.

Notify command of situation and request assistance.

Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.

Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.

Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations.

Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.

Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.

Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps.

Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Desktop publishing software
Microsoft Publisher
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Graphics or photo imaging software
Microsoft Visio
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Map creation software
Geographic information system GIS software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
Case management software
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Batteries and generators and kinetic power transmission
Power generators
Communications Devices and Accessories
Two way radios
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Personal computers
Emergency and field medical services products
Automated external defibrillators AED
Explosive materials
Road flares
Hand tools
Crime scene tape measures
Lamps and lightbulbs and lamp components
Ultraviolet UV lights
Law enforcement
Body armor
Light weapons and ammunition
Service revolvers
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Crime scene rulers
Motor vehicles
Police patrol cars
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Voice dictation equipment
Personal safety and protection
Filter masks
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Digital cameras
Postmortem and mortuary equipment and supplies
Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits
Security surveillance and detection
Audio recording equipment
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Law and Government
94%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Public Safety and Security
92%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Customer and Personal Service
81%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language
80%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Psychology
76%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Education and Training
72%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Clerical
71%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Computers and Electronics
70%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Administration and Management
67%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Sociology and Anthropology
62%
Importance

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
83%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking
83%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking
82%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Complex Problem Solving
80%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Social Perceptiveness
80%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Reading Comprehension
79%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Judgment and Decision Making
77%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Writing
75%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning
69%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Coordination
67%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Top 10 Abilities
Inductive Reasoning
85%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Deductive Reasoning
83%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Oral Comprehension
83%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Problem Sensitivity
83%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Oral Expression
82%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Speech Recognition
80%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Written Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Speech Clarity
79%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Near Vision
77%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Written Expression
75%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
96%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
93%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
90%
Importance

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
89%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Documenting/Recording Information
89%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
89%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
87%
Importance

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
82%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Processing Information
82%
Importance

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
82%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

Check physical condition of people or animals.

Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.

Examine crime scenes to obtain evidence.

Prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas.

Record information about suspects or criminals.

Prepare investigation or incident reports.

Document legal or regulatory information.

Analyze crime scene evidence.

Process forensic or legal evidence in accordance with procedures.

Collect evidence for legal proceedings.

Record crime or accident scene evidence with video or still cameras.

Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities.

Use databases to locate investigation details or other information.

Detain suspects or witnesses.

Communicate situation details to appropriate personnel.

Observe individuals' activities to gather information or compile evidence.

Serve court ordered documents.

Investigate accidents to determine causes.

Apprehend criminal suspects.

Direct criminal investigations.

Request emergency personnel.

Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.

Block physical access to restricted areas.

Determine operational procedures.

Maintain surveillance of individuals or establishments.

Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to share information.

Majors
Major
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Security Science and Technology
Interests
Enterprising
89%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Investigative
79%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Conventional
53%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Realistic
53%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Social
43%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Artistic
19%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Top 10 Work Styles
Integrity
97%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Self Control
93%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Stress Tolerance
93%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Dependability
92%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Attention to Detail
90%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Cooperation
88%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Initiative
88%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Adaptability/Flexibility
87%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Concern for Others
86%
Importance

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Persistence
86%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values
Achievement
74%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions
74%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Independence
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Recognition
69%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Support
69%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Relationships
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.