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How exposed to AI is a Detectives and Criminal Investigator?

Of the 30 tasks O*NET lists for detectives and criminal investigators, 2 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 14 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)Criminal InvestigatorDetectiveFugitive DetectiveFugitive InvestigatorInvestigatorNarcotics DetectiveNarcotics InvestigatorPolice DetectiveSpecial Agent
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
30
tasks rated for this occupation
10%
hold a degree, from a survey of 85
108k
people do this job in the US
6 of 26
least protected in protective services

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

2
  • Prepare reports that detail investigation findings
  • Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations

Only with software built on top

14
  • Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device
  • 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 summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence
  • Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects
  • 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
  • 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
  • Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative
  • Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities
  • Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects

Cannot be sped up

14
  • Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse
  • Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival
  • Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed
  • Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene
  • Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive
  • 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
  • Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records
  • Participate or assist in raids and arrests
  • Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured
  • Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations
  • Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations
  • Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.