Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Protective Service Occupations
O*NET-SOC code
33-3021.00

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

  • Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08

    High· relative

    LowFour relative bandsVery high

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)

    831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band

    Source dataset (XLSX download)

  • Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03

    0.037

    0.000Range of values carried here0.745

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Mapped onto O*NET tasks

    Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value

    Source dataset (CSV download)

  • Data source: ILOPublished: 2025

    0.23

    0.09Range of values carried here0.70

    Group-level value

    Scale, basis and source

    Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published

    Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published

    Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Exposed tasks only

30 rated tasks · 16 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (53.3%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

  • Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
  • All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
Source
OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release
gh-main-0471612
License
MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Tasks of O*NET-SOC 2010 occupations 33-3021.01 Police Detectives; 33-3021.03 Criminal Investigators and Special Agents, linked to this occupation by the O*NET-SOC 2010 to 2019 crosswalk

Task (O*NET 20.1)Claude.aiRaw / share %
Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.

33-3021.03

0.003524.6
Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.

33-3021.03

0.003323.2
Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.

33-3021.01

0.002618.1
Manage security programs designed to protect personnel, facilities, and information.

33-3021.03

0.002517.4
Collaborate with other authorities on activities such as surveillance, transcription, and research.

33-3021.03

0.002416.7
Not observed on any surface — 48 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states.
Examine crime scenes to obtain clues and evidence, such as loose hairs, fibers, clothing, or weapons.
—0
Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
—0
Obtain evidence from suspects.
—0
Provide testimony as a witness in court.
—0
Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
—0
Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
—0
Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
—0
Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
—0
Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
—0
Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
—0
Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.
—0
Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.
—0
Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
—0
Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
—0
Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
—0
Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
—0
Take photographs from all angles of relevant parts of a crime scene, including entrance and exit routes and streets and intersections.
—0
Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.
—0
Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.
—0
Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
—0
Note relevant details upon arrival at scene, such as time of day and weather conditions.
—0
Participate or assist in raids and arrests.
—0
Videotape scenes where possible, including collection of evidence, examination of victim at scene, and defendants and witnesses.
—0
Coordinate with outside agencies and serve on interagency task forces to combat specific types of crime.
—0
Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.
—0
Notify command of situation and request assistance.
—0
Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
—0
Observe and photograph narcotic purchase transactions to compile evidence and protect undercover investigators.
—0
Monitor conditions of victims who are unconscious so that arrangements can be made to take statements if consciousness is regained.
—0
Schedule polygraph tests for consenting parties and record results of test interpretations for presentation with findings.
—0
Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.
—0
Record evidence and documents, using equipment such as cameras and photocopy machines.
—0
Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.
—0
Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.
—0
Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
—0
Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations.
—0
Analyze evidence in laboratories or in the field.
—0
Investigate organized crime, public corruption, financial crime, copyright infringement, civil rights violations, bank robbery, extortion, kidnapping, and other violations of federal or state statutes.
—0
Obtain and use search and arrest warrants.
—0
Serve subpoenas or other official papers.
—0
Develop relationships with informants to obtain information related to cases.
—0
Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.
—0
Collect and record physical information about arrested suspects, including fingerprints, height and weight measurements, and photographs.
—0
Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps.
—0
Compare crime scene fingerprints with those from suspects or fingerprint files to identify perpetrators, using computers.
—0
Administer counterterrorism and counternarcotics reward programs.
—0
Provide protection for individuals, such as government leaders, political candidates, and visiting foreign dignitaries.
—0
Issue security clearances.
—0

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (30)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)Type
Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.Core
Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.Core
Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.Core
Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.Core
Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.Core
Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.Core
Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.Core
Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.Core
Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.Core
Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.Core
Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.Core
Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.Core
Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.Core
Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.Core
Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.Core
Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.Core
Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.Core
Participate or assist in raids and arrests.Core
Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.Core
Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.Core
Notify command of situation and request assistance.Core
Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations.Core
Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.Core
Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.Core
Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.Core
Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.Core
Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.Core
Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.Core
Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps.Core
Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.Core

Occupation information

Employment outlook (BLS)

Values for the whole SOC 33-3021 group (Detectives and criminal investigators), not for this O*NET occupation alone.

Employment, 2025
121K
Projected employment, 2035
121K
Change (2025–35)
+0.2%
Median annual wage, 2025
$93,790
Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO codeKSCO titleRelationStatus
41112일반 경찰관 및 수사관This occupation is narrowerconfirmed
41111해양 경찰관 및 수사관Related, not a matchconfirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

  • ISCO-08 3355Police Inspectors and Detectives

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

Police inspectors and detectives investigate facts and circumstances relating to crimes committed in order to identify suspected offenders and obtain information not readily available or apparent concerning establishments or the circumstances and behaviour of persons, mostly in order to prevent crimes.

Tasks

  • (a) establishing contacts and sources of information about crimes planned or committed, in order to prevent crimes or identify suspected offenders;
  • (b) obtaining and verifying evidence by examining crime and accident scenes for clues and physical evidence, interviewing witnesses and suspects and analysing documents and computer files;
  • (c) analysing evidence in order to solve crimes, identify criminal activity and gather information for court cases;
  • (d) establishing contacts and sources of information not readily available or apparent concerning establishments or the circumstances and behaviour of persons, usually with the aim of preventing a crime;
  • (e) making arrests;
  • (f) testifying in courts of law or reporting to superiors about circumstances and results of investigations.

Example occupations

Police detective · Police inquiry agent · Police inspector

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

  • criminal investigatorESCO 3355.1This occupation is broader

    Criminal investigators examine and process the scenes of crimes and the evidence found in them. They handle and protect the evidence compliant with rules and regulations, and isolate the scene from outside influence. They photograph the scene, ensure the maintenance of the evidence, and write reports.

  • police detectiveESCO 3355.2This occupation is broader

    Police detectives gather and compile evidence which assists them in the solution of crimes. They use investigative techniques to gather evidence, and interview all parties connected to their line of enquiry, and cooperate with other police department divisions to gather the evidence.

  • private detectiveESCO 3411.8Overlapping, not the same

    Private detectives research and analyse information to uncover facts for personal, corporate or legal reasons, depending on their clients. They conduct surveillance activities, which includes taking photos, doing background checks and interviewing individuals. Private detectives may help in criminal and civil cases, child custody, financial fraud, on-line harassment and may search for missing people. They compile all the information into a file and hand it to their clients for further action.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME codeROME title (French)Relation
K1704Officier / Officière de policeOverlapping, not the sameprovisional
K1706GendarmeRelated, not a matchprovisional
K1708Gardien / Gardienne de la paixRelated, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 codeCNO-11 title (Spanish)Relation
3631Técnicos de la policía nacional, autonómica y localThis occupation is narrower
3632Suboficiales de la guardia civilRelated, not a match

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB codeKldB title (German)Relation
53222Berufe im Kriminaldienst - fachlich ausgerichtete TätigkeitenThis occupation is broader
53223Berufe im Kriminaldienst - komplexe SpezialistentätigkeitenThis occupation is broader
53224Berufe im Kriminaldienst - hoch komplexe TätigkeitenRelated, not a match

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO codeJSCO title (Japanese)Relation
441警察官This occupation is narrower
449その他の司法警察職員Related, not a match

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources