Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Official O*NET title: Detectives and Criminal Investigators (33-3021.00)
Also called: criminal investigator, csi, detective, fugitive detective, fugitive investigator
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Prepare reports that detail investigation findings
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing detectives and criminal investigators work
3 of 30 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 10%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it before medical examiner's arrival (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Search for and collect evidence (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Participate or assist in raids and arrests (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Check victims for signs of life (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Provide information to lab staff concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical staff to take statements from them (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to make sure that entire scene is secured (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Notify command of situation and request assistance (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance (main task) — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Prepare reports that detail investigation findings”. Try the prompt for: “Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and detectives and criminal investigators
Will AI replace detectives and criminal investigators?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 3 of the 30 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Green rating (little AI use yet). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 27 of the 30 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which detective tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: prepare reports that detail investigation findings; identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations; analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
Which detective tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records; preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed; obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 51% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a detective start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Detectives and Criminal Investigators ranks #466 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #5 of 17 in Public Safety.
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