A Career in Criminal Invesigation

1164 Words3 Pages

Have you ever wondered how police officers know who to arrest for a crime? Well in order to catch criminals, evidence and witnesses must be gathered. Those who perform these tasks are known as detectives. Detectives are also known as criminal investigators. I have always liked solving mysteries and, that is exactly what detectives or criminal investigators do. I was inspired to pursue this career by the television series “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”. I watch this series a lot and, the show gave me a televised perception of what the career might be like. There are many risks when considering becoming a detective. However, the benefits and end results outweigh the risks and disadvantages of becoming a detective. A detective is a plain clothes investigator, either a member of a law enforcement agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes". Informally, and primarily in fiction, a detective is any licensed or unlicensed person who solves crimes, including historical crimes, or looks into records Detectives conduct interviews and surveillance, locate missing persons and criminal suspects, examine records and, write detailed reports. Some detectives make arrests and take part in a raid. Detectives have very busy lives and work schedules. The duties of detectives include: investigating crimes, collecting and securing evidence from crime scenes, conducting interviews with suspects and witnesses, observing the activities of suspects, writing detailed reports and filling out paperwork, and preparing cases and testifying in court. Detectives often testify in court on behalf of the government and strength of a case. Detectives must understand legal statuses, chain of custody, evident... ... middle of paper ... ...eel superior and, by watching the television series “Law and Order: Special Victims Units”, that encouraged me to look more into this career. I will continue to find out more information about Detectives. Works Cited “Detectives.” Criminal Justice Jobs. N.P., 20 Aug 2013. Web. 9 Feb 2014 . “Detectives.” Legal Career Path. N.P., 01 Apr 2013. Web. 9 Feb 2014. http://legalcareerpath.com/detective/. Roufa, Timothy. “Detective and Criminal Investigator Career Profile.” About. N.P. Web. 9 Feb 2014. . “Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators” United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Northeast Washington: 1978. Web. 9 Feb 2012 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/ “Detectives”. Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocation Guidance’s. Ed. Andrew Morkes. Chicago: Ferguson 2003

Open Document