Description
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Interests
- Investigative
- Conventional
- Realistic
- Enterprising
Work Values
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Independence
Work Styles
- Integrity
- Self-Control
- Dependability
- Stress Tolerance
- Attention to Detail
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.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Documenting/Recording Information
Detailed Work Activities
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- 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.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Technology Skills
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Presentation software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Geographic information system
- Electronic mail software
Abilities
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
Skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Certified Corrections Manager - Security Threat GroupsCertifying Organization
American Correctional Association
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Certified Medical Investigator IVCertifying Organization
American College of Forensic Examiners
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified Information Privacy Professional - EuropeCertifying Organization
International Association of Privacy Professionals
Type
Core
Certificate name
IBM Certified Solutions Specialist - i2 COPLINK Detect V4.xCertifying Organization
IBM Corporation
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
Latent Fingerprint CertificationCertifying Organization
The International Association for Identification
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | N/A |
| Median (50%) | N/A |
| High (90%) | N/A |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $68,365 |
| Mid Level | $78,366 |
| Senior Level | $89,562 |
| Expert Level | $112,124 |
Employability
There are currently 113,400 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 116,000 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 2%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 2%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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