What Skills are Needed To Become a Detective?

If you are interested in working in investigations and you are looking for the right career opportunity to pursue, it is time to learn about the skills needed to become a detective. Detectives are often depicted in movies and crime shows as intelligent and intuitive professionals. While this is true, not everything that is depicted is 100 percent accurate. Detectives must be patient individuals who are willing to drop everything on a dime to visit a crime scene. In addition to this, you will need a specific skill set and some very important personality traits to succeed in detective work long term. Here are some of the qualities you need to possess and the abilities that you will need to learn in school, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Attention to Details

One very important skill that all detectives need is the ability to pay attention to detail while they are combing through a crime scene or while they are interviewing victims and suspects. Many investigations are solved because of one very small detail that cracks the case wide open. If the small details are overlooked by detectives as they are examining evidence or conducting interviews, it can delay investigations and also hinder justice.

Technology Inclined and Open to Change

Technology plays a very important role in investigations and this is why anyone who would like to become a detective will need be technologically inclined. Candidates can learn how to use computers and programs that are frequently used in detective work by taking college courses, but it is also very important that you are able to keep up with change and utilize new technologies even after you complete your training.

Inherent Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Abilities

A detective’s main purpose is to analyze complex issues and then use evidence to solve the issues or to reach logical conclusions that can be presented to prosecutors. You can become a critical thinker in a post-secondary program, but you must be a born problem-solver and able to look past any prejudices that you might have as you are investigating the cases that you are assigned to.

The Ability to Effectively Communicate with Others

Detectives must write thorough reports that can be accessed at later dates to support a case during trial. It is also important that the detective is able to communicate with other law enforcement, victims, witnesses, potential suspects and the offender in an effective manner verbally. There are federal and local laws surrounding how interviews can be conducted and what is up for grabs during surveillance missions. Be sure that you can follow these laws and are able to testify if you are called to trial or you may not be seen as a credible witness for the state.

Related Resource: Become a Forensic Psychologist

If you would like to become a police detective who investigates crimes and looks for a perpetrator, you must possess certain mental and physical skills, and the ability to pass a background check and lie-detector test. If you believe that you are the patient, observant, critical-thinking professional who can effectively communicate, then this could be the right career move for you. Start to research the steps that you must take to become a police detective and then you can use the skills needed to become a detective to earn a good income.