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Detectives and Criminal Investigators

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$93580	7800	-0.7%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$93580

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

7800

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

-0.7%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

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

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
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.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

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.

Work Values

Achievement

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

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

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.
Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
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.
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.
Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.
Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.
Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.
Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
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.
Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.
Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
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.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Innovation

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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