How To Be A Detective?

Depending on your city or county, you may need to start with a college degree - preferably in criminal justice or law enforcement. Then you have to go through police academy and get hired on at a police department letting them know you eventually want to be a detective. You then put in your dues getting some real experience as a police officer from which you can seek promotions to detective positions. Eventually you can work your way up to homicide detective if you want to be in that department.

There are several types of detectives in the FBI from criminal investigations to intelligence (spies) to even cyber investigations. You have to be between 23-37 (unless you're a veteran), and have a degree in: accounting, computer science, a foreign language (they have a list of languages they accept), or law. You may also be able to get in with another degree if you have three years professional experience, or 2 years professional experience if you have a master's degree, JD, or PhD.

A forensic detective is a crime scene investigator. You can work in CSI without a college degree as a technician in some areas. Increase your chances of getting the job by attending a Crime Scene Investigations course for six weeks and getting a certificate. But if you want to be a full-fledged Criminalist, you need a four-year degree in science (like Biology or Chemistry) or forensic science. Be open to applying in cities other than your own because these jobs are limited in some places.

You can serve your country and get experience as a detective in all branches of the military. You've heard of NCIS, but the same sort of detectives and special agents exist in the other branches as well. The qualifications vary among branches, but the minimum age is 21, you have to have served in that branch, and each requires a minimum number of college hours or a degree. Decide which type you want to be and then talk to a recruiting officer to map out a plan.

PIs in tv shows often focus on cheating spouses, murder, and shoot-em-ups, but there are many different kinds of PI specialties. Do a search to see which ones suit you. To become a PI, you will then need to find out what your state requirements are. Some do and do not require a college degree. You will have to take an examination and get a license and possibly a firearms license. You will also have to pass a background check.

These are the detectives investigate legal matters for lawyers. To become one, you need a degree in criminal justice, political science, or a related field. You also need to complete courses in the legal system so that you know EXACTLY how the law works and how to collect evidence that is admissible in court. Many states also require legal investigators to possess a Private Investigator license. You can also be certified as a Legal Investigator. See your state laws for requirements.