According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse. | 91% |
| Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device. | 91% |
| Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival. | 91% |
| Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants. | 90% |
| Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures. | 90% |
| Prepare reports that detail investigation findings. | 90% |
| Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed. | 90% |
| Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence. | 89% |
| Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene. | 89% |
| Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects. | 89% |
| Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive. | 88% |
| Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed. | 88% |
| Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed. | 88% |
| Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment. | 87% |
| Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information. | 87% |
| Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants. | 87% |
| Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers. | 87% |
| Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations. | 86% |
| Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records. | 86% |
| Participate or assist in raids and arrests. | 86% |
| Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary. | 86% |
| Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them. | 85% |
| Notify command of situation and request assistance. | 85% |
| Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured. | 84% |
| Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative. | 84% |
| Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations. | 84% |
| Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities. | 83% |
| Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects. | 83% |
| Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations. | 80% |
| Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps. | 78% |
