Police Detectives

Provide testimony as a witness in court.

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.

Observe and photograph narcotic purchase transactions to compile evidence and protect undercover investigators.

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.