What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the U.S. earn more than $93,790 a year — the middle 80% land between $55,390 and $160,540. About 114,430 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Detectives and Criminal Investigators”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$93,790typical pay / year
114,430people in this work
$160,540+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Protecting2
Photograph evidence
+Photograph each piece of evidence and the latent print area with scale and reference markers, capture…
Photograph evidence
+Photograph each piece of evidence and the latent print area with scale and reference markers, capture overall, mid-range, and close-up views at perpendicular angles, log camera settings and chain-of-custody, then export the images for enhancement and case file within 24 hours.
The tools that do the workDataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScenejob descriptionsO*NET
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Take fingerprints.
+Ink or live-scan fingerprints from the detainee following agency protocol, label each card with case number…
Take fingerprints.
+Ink or live-scan fingerprints from the detainee following agency protocol, label each card with case number and date, capture rolled and flat impressions plus palms if requested, verify image quality, and submit the prints to the identification unit before the end of shift.
The tools that do the workComputer aided composite drawingjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work18
Package, store and retrieve evidence.
+Package the recovered fingerprint cards, lifts, and chain-of-custody form into a sealed evidence envelope,…
Package, store and retrieve evidence.
+Package the recovered fingerprint cards, lifts, and chain-of-custody form into a sealed evidence envelope, log each item with incident 2026-07-15, place the envelope in the secured evidence locker shelf B, and note retrieval rules in the log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft AccessO*NET
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Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
+Dust the kitchen counter, doorknob, and shattered glass at 14 Pine Street for latent prints, lift each print…
Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
+Dust the kitchen counter, doorknob, and shattered glass at 14 Pine Street for latent prints, lift each print with appropriate tape, mount on labelled cards, document preservation method and location, then submit the set to the lab intake.
The tools that do the workDeChant Consulting Services iWitnessO*NET
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Perform emergency work during off-hours.
+Respond to the midnight hit-and-run, photograph the scene, collect any visible prints, secure perishable…
Perform emergency work during off-hours.
+Respond to the midnight hit-and-run, photograph the scene, collect any visible prints, secure perishable items in evidence bags, complete emergency incident report, and notify the on-call investigator before returning evidence to secured storage.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Interview survivors, witnesses, suspects, and other law enforcement personnel.
+Interview the burglary survivor, obtain full statement including timeline and contacts, compare their…
Interview survivors, witnesses, suspects, and other law enforcement personnel.
+Interview the burglary survivor, obtain full statement including timeline and contacts, compare their descriptions to scene evidence, record the session with consent, and prepare a witness summary for the detective handling the file.
The tools that do the workComputer aided composite drawingO*NET
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Apprehend offenders
+When a suspect is located, coordinate with the arresting officer, secure the scene perimeter, advise on legal…
Apprehend offenders
+When a suspect is located, coordinate with the arresting officer, secure the scene perimeter, advise on legal search and seizure requirements, photograph hands and relevant skin areas before processing, and collect fingerprints under the supervising detective's authority.
The tools that do the workDataWorks Plus Digital CrimeSceneESCO
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Perform patrol activities
+While on patrol in Sector 4, check known hotspots, respond to calls for suspicious persons, note and…
Perform patrol activities
+While on patrol in Sector 4, check known hotspots, respond to calls for suspicious persons, note and photograph any unattended items, collect latent prints where lawful and practical, and update the patrol evidence log at shift end.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WindowsESCO
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Provide support to victimised parties
+Draft and send a victim support memo to Sergeant Lopez and to Victim Services with the case number, the…
Provide support to victimised parties
+Draft and send a victim support memo to Sergeant Lopez and to Victim Services with the case number, the victim's contact preferences, what evidence we have, and the next two planned contact dates — confirm receipt by Thursday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OfficeESCO
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Fulfil administrative duties
+Prepare the case administrative file for 2019-4578: compile chain-of-custody forms, contact logs, lab…
Fulfil administrative duties
+Prepare the case administrative file for 2019-4578: compile chain-of-custody forms, contact logs, lab submission receipts and a one-page status summary, then lodge the folder with Records by end of day Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordESCO
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Ensure law application
+Review statute and department policy for latent print collection on search-warrant scenes in jurisdiction B,…
Ensure law application
+Review statute and department policy for latent print collection on search-warrant scenes in jurisdiction B, annotate where our procedure differs, and send a prioritized list of required updates to Captain Mendoza by Friday.
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First response
+Respond as the first responder to a reported burglary at 42 Elm Street: secure scene, photograph obvious…
First response
+Respond as the first responder to a reported burglary at 42 Elm Street: secure scene, photograph obvious prints, record witness statements and submit immediate preservation request to the lab within two hours.
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Legal use-of-force
+Assess use-of-force issues arising from yesterday's arrest: review bodycam, note any visible transfer prints,…
Legal use-of-force
+Assess use-of-force issues arising from yesterday's arrest: review bodycam, note any visible transfer prints, compare actions to policy, and send a factual brief with recommendations to Internal Affairs by Wednesday.
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Patrol areas
+Schedule and patrol the downtown evidence storage area twice this week, log entry and exit times, inspect…
Patrol areas
+Schedule and patrol the downtown evidence storage area twice this week, log entry and exit times, inspect locks and environmental controls, and email the security checklist to Facilities by Friday afternoon.
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Use different communication channels
+Circulate the latent-print findings to Patrol Sergeant Maria Ruiz and Detective O'Connor by email, secure…
Use different communication channels
+Circulate the latent-print findings to Patrol Sergeant Maria Ruiz and Detective O'Connor by email, secure messaging and a one-page briefing to the crime desk by 10:00 so all investigators across channels have the same leads and next steps.
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Apply first response
+Attend the midnight call with first responders, confirm I will prioritise fragile evidentiary lifts, document…
Apply first response
+Attend the midnight call with first responders, confirm I will prioritise fragile evidentiary lifts, document chain-of-custody in the case file, and advise on safe scene preservation measures before leaving for the lab.
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Comply with the principles of self-defence
+Before redeploying to an active scene, review legal self-defence thresholds with the on-duty inspector,…
Comply with the principles of self-defence
+Before redeploying to an active scene, review legal self-defence thresholds with the on-duty inspector, record any force decisions in the incident log, and notify control of my tactical posture and justification.
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Road traffic laws
+Check the collision report and roadside evidence photos, confirm relevant road traffic statutes with Traffic…
Road traffic laws
+Check the collision report and roadside evidence photos, confirm relevant road traffic statutes with Traffic Sergeant Evans, and add fingerprint recovery priorities and restraints for the vehicle interior to the case file.
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Detain offenders
+When arresting a suspect found with a suspected weapon, tell the arresting officer which weapons category…
Detain offenders
+When arresting a suspect found with a suspected weapon, tell the arresting officer which weapons category applies, log the item description and storage method, and secure firearms and edged weapons separately before booking.
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Ensure compliance with types of weapons
+Before submitting exhibits, verify weapon type against legal schedules with the custody sergeant, photograph…
Ensure compliance with types of weapons
+Before submitting exhibits, verify weapon type against legal schedules with the custody sergeant, photograph and label each item, and flag prohibited items for forensic hold and immediate senior review.
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Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.
The rest of the map
Same library, five ways in.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses