Detectives & Criminal Investigators
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Technology Tools
Key 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.
- 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.
- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
- Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
- Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
- Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
- Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
- Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
- Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.
- Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.
- Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
- Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
- Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
- Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.
- Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.
- 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.
- Notify command of situation and request assistance.
- Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.
- Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
- Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.
- Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.
- Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.
- Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations.
- Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps.
- Operate drones for aerial surveillance or to gather evidence from difficult to reach locations.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
98%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
97%
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
97%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
96%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
96%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
92%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
91%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
90%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
90%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
90%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
89%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
88%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
85%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
83%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
83%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
79%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
78%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
78%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
76%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
75%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
74%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
72%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
70%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
69%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
63%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
63%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
62%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
62%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
61%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
60%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
58%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
57%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
55%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
54%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
54%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
51%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
48%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
45%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
44%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
44%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
42%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
38%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
37%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
36%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
33%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
32%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
32%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
30%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
26%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
24%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
20%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
17%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
15%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
11%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
11%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
9%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
5%
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Post-secondary certificate
Associate's degree
Interests
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Work Styles
Work Values
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