Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
Obtain evidence from suspects.
Examine crime scenes to obtain clues and evidence, such as loose hairs, fibers, clothing, or weapons.
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 summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
Take photographs from all angles of relevant parts of a crime scene, including entrance and exit routes and streets and intersections.
Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
Videotape scenes where possible, including collection of evidence, examination of victim at scene, and defendants and witnesses.
Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.
Participate or assist in raids and arrests.
Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.
Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.
Notify command of situation and request assistance.
Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.
Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
Note relevant details upon arrival at scene, such as time of day and weather conditions.
Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.
Monitor conditions of victims who are unconscious so that arrangements can be made to take statements if consciousness is regained.
Coordinate with outside agencies and serve on interagency task forces to combat specific types of crime.
Schedule polygraph tests for consenting parties and record results of test interpretations for presentation with findings.
Observe and photograph narcotic purchase transactions to compile evidence and protect undercover investigators.
Data base user interface and query software — DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene; Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS; National Crime Information Center NCIC database; National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
Desktop publishing software — Microsoft Publisher
Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop; Digital Image Management Solutions Crime Scene; Microsoft Visio; The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
Internet browser software — Web browser software
Map creation software — Crime mapping software; Geographic information system GIS software
Office suite software — Corel WordPerfect; Microsoft Office
Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.