Criminal Investigator on the Job

This report presents a job description for a criminal investigator working for a public law enforcement agency such as a local police department. It also examines a typical "day in the life" of these professionals within the criminal justice system. Finally, a description of the general tenets of the Code of Ethics for this profession will be provided.

The specific tasks undertaken by criminal investigators include:

. determining the scope, timing, and direction of investigations

. developing relationships with informants and examining records to locate links in chains of evidence

. identifying case issues and evidence needed

. obtaining and use search and arrest warrants

. verifying evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses

. preparing reports that detail investigation findings, collect/ record information about suspects

. collaborating with other authorities and testify at criminal trials and other legal hearings (Career planner, 2008).

The ability requirements for criminal investigators include inductive reasoning, oral expression and comprehension, written expression and comprehension, speech clarity, near and far vision, information ordering, and flexibility of closure (Career planner, 2008). Specific activities undertaken by these professionals include getting information; analyzing data; documenting/recording information; communicating effectively with supervisors, peers, and

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rs may have been involved in the new case. They are likely to spend time in the field collecting evidence such as fingerprints, DNA samples, photographs of the crime scene, and so forth. A major portion of their typical day is also spent in documenting and processing the evidence that they acquire through these activities. On a typical day, a criminal investigator may also find that he or she needs to interact with other professionals in the law enforcement system. They may collaborate with line officers or supervisors. They may interact with forensic scientists in laboratory settings or with detectives. If a case has been referred to the district attorney, he or she may well need to spend time informing the prosecutor about the nature and meaning of evidence that will be used at trial. This may also entail writing reports and preparing for testifying in court. An investigator may also find that he or she is required to appear in court to report on evidence and to undergo both an examination by the prosecuting attorney and a cross-examination by the defense attorney. These are the general activities in which most criminal investigators are regularly engaged. They are further responsible for maintaining the evidence

Category: Government - C