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Detectives and Criminal Investigators - 33-3021.00

The occupation code you requested, 33-3021.01 (Police Detectives), is no longer in use. In the future, please use 33-3021.00 (Detectives and Criminal Investigators) instead.

O*NET-SOC Description

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

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
  • Criminal Investigator
  • Detective
  • Fugitive Detective
  • Fugitive Investigator
  • Investigator
  • Narcotics Detective
  • Narcotics Investigator
  • Police Detective
  • Special Agent

SOC Occupation Groups

33-0000 Protective Service Occupations
33-3000 Law Enforcement Workers
33-3020 Detectives and Criminal Investigators
33-3021.00 Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
  • Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.
  • Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
  • Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.
  • Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
  • Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
  • Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.
  • Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.
  • Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.
  • Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
  • Notify command of situation and request assistance.
  • Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
  • Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.
  • Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
  • Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
  • Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.
  • Participate or assist in raids and arrests.
  • Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps.
  • Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
  • Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
  • Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
  • Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
  • Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
  • Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.
  • Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
  • Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.
  • Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
  • Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
  • Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.
  • Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Analyze crime scene evidence.
  • Apprehend criminal suspects.
  • Block physical access to restricted areas.
  • Check physical condition of people or animals.
  • Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to share information.
  • Collect evidence for legal proceedings.
  • Communicate situation details to appropriate personnel.
  • Detain suspects or witnesses.
  • Determine operational procedures.
  • Direct criminal investigations.
  • Document legal or regulatory information.
  • Examine crime scenes to obtain evidence.
  • Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities.
  • Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.
  • Investigate accidents to determine causes.
  • Maintain surveillance of individuals or establishments.
  • Observe individuals' activities to gather information or compile evidence.
  • Prepare investigation or incident reports.
  • Prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas.
  • Process forensic or legal evidence in accordance with procedures.
  • Record crime or accident scene evidence with video or still cameras.
  • Record information about suspects or criminals.
  • Request emergency personnel.
  • Serve court ordered documents.
  • Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
  • Use databases to locate investigation details or other information.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Afloat Security Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Operator (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Operator Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Operator Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Operator Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Operator Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • All Source Intelligence Analyst (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • All Source Intelligence Analyst Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • All Source Intelligence Analyst Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • All Source Intelligence Analyst Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • All Source Intelligence Analyst Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Area Intelligence Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • CID Special Agent (Army - Enlisted)
  • CID Special Agent (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Combat Engineer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Combat Medic Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Counter Intelligence Agent (Army - Enlisted)
  • Counter-Intelligence Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence (CI/HUMINT) Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Criminal Investigation Officer (Marine Corps - Warrant Officer only)
  • Criminal Investigator (Coast Guard - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Criminal Investigator (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Criminal Investigator CID Agent (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Cryptologic Analyst and Reporter (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cryptologic Analyst and Reporter Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cryptologic Analyst and Reporter Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cryptologic Analyst and Reporter Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cryptologic Analyst and Reporter Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • CWO - Intelligence (Navy - Warrant Officer only)
  • CWO - Security (Navy - Warrant Officer only)
  • Cyber Intelligence (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cyber Intelligence Apprentice, Analyst (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cyber Intelligence Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cyber Intelligence Craftsman, Analyst (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cyber Intelligence Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cyber Intelligence Helper, Analyst (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Cyber Intelligence Journeyman, Analyst (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Defense Interrogator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Forensic Psycho-physiologist (Polygraph Examiner) (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Individual Augmentee/In Lieu Of (IA/ILO) Detainee Operations Interrogator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • GWOT IA/ILO Detainee Operations Interrogator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Heavy Aircraft Integrated Avionics (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Heavy Aircraft Integrated Avionics Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Heavy Aircraft Integrated Avionics Craftsman, C4ISR Mission Systems (E-3, E-4, E-7, E-8, EC-130H, RC-135, VC-25) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Heavy Aircraft Integrated Avionics Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Heavy Aircraft Integrated Avionics Journeyman, C4ISR Mission Systems (E-3, E-4, E-7, E-8, EC-130H, RC-135, VC-25) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Human Intelligence Collection Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Human Intelligence Collector (Army - Enlisted)
  • Human Intelligence Specialist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Human Intelligence Specialist Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Human Intelligence Specialist Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Human Intelligence Specialist Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Intelligence Analyst (Army - Enlisted)
  • Intelligence Investigations Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Intelligence Senior Sergeant (Army - Enlisted)
  • Intelligence Specialist (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Intelligence Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Intelligence Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Investigations (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Investigator (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Law Enforcement and Security Officer, Afloat (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Law Enforcement and Security Officer, Shore Activity (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Law Enforcement and Security Officer, Staff (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • LDO - Intelligence (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • LDO - Security (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Marine Investigations (Coast Guard - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Marine Safety Specialist Response (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Maritime Enforcement Specialist (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Master-At-Arms (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Military Criminal Investigator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Military Investigator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Military Police (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Military Police (Army - Enlisted)
  • Military Police (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Military Police Investigator (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Military Police Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Naval Criminal Investigative Service Operations Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Navy Tactical Counter-Intelligence and Human Intelligence (CI/HUMINT) Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • RL - Special Duty Officer - Intelligence Officer (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Security Forces (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Security Forces (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Security Forces Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Security Forces Apprentice, Combat Arms (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Security Forces Apprentice, Military Working Dog Handler (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Security Forces Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Security Forces Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Security Forces Helper, Combat Arms (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Security Forces Helper, Military Working Dog Handler (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Security Forces Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Security Forces Journeyman, Combat Arms (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Security Forces Journeyman, Military Working Dog Handler (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Security Forces Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Senior Military Police Sergeant (Army - Enlisted)
  • Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Voice Interceptor (Army - Enlisted)
  • Signals Intelligence Analyst (Army - Enlisted)
  • Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant (Army - Enlisted)
  • Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (Army - Enlisted)
  • Special Investigations (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Special Investigations (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Investigations (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Investigations Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Investigations Craftsman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Investigations Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Investigations Helper (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Investigations Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Investigations Journeyman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Investigations Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Investigations Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Traffic Management and Collision Investigator (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Unit Supply Specialist (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Child Support Officer
  • Detective
  • Detective, Narcotics and Vice
  • Identification Officer
  • Investigator, Internal Affairs
  • Investigator, Narcotics
  • Investigator, Vice
  • Police Officer III
  • Special Agent