Criminal Investigation
Criminal Investigation
Law Enforcement & Public Safety
Criminal Investigation workers investigate suspected crimes by developing facts, interviewing people and coordinating lawful evidence collection.
What You Would Do
- Criminal Investigation workers investigate suspected crimes by developing facts
- Interviewing people and coordinating lawful evidence collection
- Follow the laws
- Policies
- Authority
- Privacy and documentation requirements for the role
The exact work depends on the agency, jurisdiction, legal authority, assignment, community and required credentials.
Types of Work You Could Explore
Case planning — Analyze places, needs, land use and community input to guide future development.
Interviews — Explore interviews. Learn the mission, authority, procedures, tools, training and accountability requirements for this work.
Surveillance — Explore surveillance. Learn the mission, authority, procedures, tools, training and accountability requirements for this work.
Warrants — Explore warrants. Learn the mission, authority, procedures, tools, training and accountability requirements for this work.
Records research — Organize, preserve, retrieve and disclose government records under applicable law.
Evidence — Explore evidence. Learn the mission, authority, procedures, tools, training and accountability requirements for this work.
Arrests — Explore arrests. Learn the mission, authority, procedures, tools, training and accountability requirements for this work.
Reports — Explore reports. Learn the mission, authority, procedures, tools, training and accountability requirements for this work.
Testimony — Explore testimony. Learn the mission, authority, procedures, tools, training and accountability requirements for this work.
You do not have to choose a specialty before you begin. Job titles and specialty names vary among employers and training programs, and one job may include more than one type of work.
Who Might Like This Career
This career may appeal to you if you are interested in case planning, interviews, surveillance. It can be a good fit for people who enjoy careful problem solving, accurate work, learning how law, communication, evidence and public trust connect and seeing a clear result from their effort.
Where You Could Work
law-enforcement agencies, prosecutor offices, task forces and specialized investigative units.
Work Conditions and Safety
Public-safety work may involve violence, traffic, weapons, custody environments, difficult weather, traumatic events or shift work. Training, teamwork, policy and appropriate protective equipment help reduce risk.
Pay and Job Outlook
Median annual pay: $83,170 in May 2025 for police and detectives, a broad law-enforcement comparison group.
These are national U.S. figures for the occupation or comparison group named above, not a promised starting salary. Pay can vary considerably by location, experience, specialty, overtime, union agreement, agency, role, jurisdiction, credentials, schedule and location. People starting the career commonly earn less than experienced workers; paid training programs may increase wages as skills grow.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics career and pay information
Skills You Can Start Building
- Criminal Investigation workers investigate suspected crimes by developing facts, interviewing people and coordinating lawful evidence collection
- Follow the laws, policies, authority, privacy and documentation requirements for the role
- Observe conditions and assess situations carefully
- Communicate clearly, remain composed and use sound judgment
- Follow legal authority, procedure and evidence requirements
- Document events accurately and preserve relevant information
- Coordinate with dispatchers, courts, responders and community partners
How Criminal Investigation Work Is Changing
Body-worn cameras, license-plate readers, drones, digital evidence systems and real-time communications are changing public-safety work.
AI may assist with analysis, dispatch and report preparation. Agencies must protect rights and privacy, test for bias and error, preserve evidence integrity and keep humans accountable for decisions.
Cameras, sensors and data systems can improve awareness, but public safety still depends on lawful authority, proportionate action, communication, accurate documentation and human judgment.
Education and Training
Preparation may include an academy, agency training, apprenticeship, CTE, military experience or college. Entry usually requires background screening and may require examinations, certification, licensing, citizenship or physical and medical standards.
Career Pathways and Apprenticeship Availability
Typical pathway: Employer training and related paid experience are common; apprenticeship availability varies.
Detective and investigator roles usually follow sworn-officer or agency experience, though investigation apprenticeships may exist. Verify authority and prerequisites.
A Registered Apprenticeship follows an approved training plan and combines paid work, supervised learning, related instruction and progressive skill development. Some employers use the word apprenticeship for paid programs that are not registered. Ask the sponsor which type it is and what credential, wage progression and job it provides.
Licenses and Certifications
Requirements vary by occupation and jurisdiction and may include background investigation, academy completion, state certification, firearms qualification, licensing, medical and fitness standards or continuing training.
Look up licenses in your state
Career Pathways to Learn Criminal Investigation and Gain Experience
Apprenticeship — Learn through real paid work with experienced workers who teach and guide you, supported by technical instruction and a structure for developing and measuring progress. Some apprenticeships are Registered Apprenticeships; others are not.
Entry-Level Jobs — Gain paid experience with tools, equipment, customer service, safety and workplace practices through beginning work in the field.
Youth Apprenticeship — Begin developing career skills through work while continuing high-school education where a suitable program is available.
Career and Technical Education CTE — Build applied skills through criminal justice, public safety, emergency communications, cybersecurity or related programs.
Pre-Apprenticeship — Learn introductory skills, safety and workplace expectations while preparing for apprenticeship or employment. Verify that the program connects participants with real employers and does not charge tuition simply for possible access to an apprenticeship.
Co-op — Combine education with career-related work experience through a high school, CTE program, community college or other educational program.
Paid Work-Based Learning — Get paid to do real work for an employer while learning skills and gaining experience related to the career.
Academy, Agency or Equipment Training — Learn legal authority, communication, defensive tactics, evidence, emergency procedures and role-specific systems under qualified instructors.
From Learning to Experienced Work
Skills develop through practice and experience. People who are new to the work usually receive more instruction and supervision. As they demonstrate skill, judgment and reliability, they take on more difficult work, greater responsibility and more independent assignments.
A common progression: Learn → Practice → Gain Experience → Build Confidence → Take on More Responsibility → Work More Independently
Experienced workers may eventually supervise work or teach and guide newer workers, trainees and apprentices.
Where This Career Can Lead
With experience and required credentials, you may specialize, become an investigator or instructor, supervise teams, manage operations or lead a public-safety agency.
Questions to Ask Before You Apply
- Is this a paid job from the beginning?
- Is it a Registered Apprenticeship, an employer-run apprenticeship, another training program or a regular job with training?
- What equipment and work will I learn, and who will teach me on the job?
- How does pay increase as I gain skills?
- Who provides the classes, and can I earn college credit or an industry credential?
- What tools, transportation, physical requirements, licenses, background checks or costs should I expect?
Explore related careers
Consider these careers with overlapping tools, materials, systems or work settings:
Forensic Investigation
Public-Safety Administration
Loss Prevention
Animal-Control Enforcement
Code and Regulatory Enforcement
Public-Safety Training
Private Investigation
Explore opportunities
Search apprenticeships and programs on Apprenticeship.com
Explore Apprenticeship.com state apprenticeship guides
Learn more from official career resources