Detectives and Criminal Investigators

The work

Core tasks

1. 01Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
2. 02Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
3. 03Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
4. 04Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
5. 05Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
6. 06Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
7. 07Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
8. 08Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
9. 09Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
10. 10Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
11. 11Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
12. 12Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.

Capabilities

Essential skills

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading