Detectives and Criminal Investigatorsresume guide.
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes. A strong Detectives and Criminal Investigators resume shows active listening, speaking and critical thinking, and names the tools you have worked with, such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Access and Structured query language SQL.
See how a parser reads your resumeFree, no card→01Also called
O*NET02Skills employers expect
O*NETImportance is how much the skill matters to the job; level is how much of it the job demands. Both are worth naming on the resume, in this order.
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | Very high | Advanced |
| Speaking | Very high | Advanced |
| Critical Thinking | Very high | Advanced |
| Social Perceptiveness | Very high | Advanced |
| Reading Comprehension | Very high | Advanced |
| Complex Problem Solving | High | Intermediate |
| Judgment and Decision Making | High | Intermediate |
| Active Learning | High | Intermediate |
| Writing | High | Advanced |
| Coordination | High | Intermediate |
03Knowledge areas
O*NET- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Communications and Media
- Geography
- Sociology and Anthropology
04Common responsibilities
O*NETOrdered by importance. Each one is a bullet waiting for a result and a number.
- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
- Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
- Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
- Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.
05Software and tools
O*NET36 tools across 16 categories. The six largest categories are below; Hot marks a hot technology, In demand a tool employers ask for most often.
- Adobe PhotoshopHotIn demand
- Graphics software
- DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
- SmartDraw Legal
- The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
- Computer aided composite drawing software
- Eos Systems PhotoModeler
- Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD
- Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI
- DeChant Consulting Services iWitness
- Digital Image Management Solutions Crime Scene
- Microsoft AccessHotIn demand
- Structured query language SQLHotIn demand
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
- Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
- Law enforcement information databases
- National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
- DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
- SASHotIn demand
- Guidance Software EnCase EnterpriseIn demand
- Microsoft OutlookHotIn demand
- Email software
- Geographic information system GIS softwareIn demand
- ESRI ArcViewIn demand
- Microsoft Office softwareHotIn demand
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Web browser softwareIn demand
- Crime mapping software
- Case management software
- AccessData FTK
- LinuxHotIn demand
- Microsoft PowerPointHotIn demand
- Microsoft VisioHotIn demand
- Microsoft ExcelHotIn demand
- Microsoft WordHotIn demand
06Education and preparation
O*NET07Putting it on your resume
ResumeXRays guidanceLead with the credential and the record. Job Zone 3 roles usually ask for training, a license or a few years of related experience. Put those on the first screen, then show what you did with them.
Name the tools exactly. This occupation is heavy on named software. A skills section that says "Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Access, Structured query language SQL, SAS" matches more job descriptions than a general phrase. Use the spelling employers use.
Show speaking and critical thinking, not just active listening. Speaking and critical thinking rank close to active listening for this occupation. One bullet per role that shows a decision, a tradeoff or a result covers them.
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