Police and Detectives

Police and Detectives typically perform the following tasks: • 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 reports that detail investigation findings. • Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures. • 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. • 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. • Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed. • Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information. • Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment. • Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants. • Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers. • Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations. • Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records. • Participate or assist in raids and arrests.