10 Types of Detectives (With Salaries and Job Outlook)

Updated March 10, 2023

If you have an inquisitive mind and enjoy putting your problem-solving skills to use, consider pursuing a career as a detective. When you enter this field, you can choose from a variety of specializations. Understanding what each specialization involves can help you make a strategic decision regarding your future career.In this article, we define the role of a detective, list 10 types of detectives and share frequently asked questions and answers about salary, job outlook and qualifications for this career path.

What is a detective?

Also known as an investigator, a detective often works for a law enforcement agency where they gather information and evidence to solve a variety of crimes. Using this evidence, they attempt to determine the course of events that occurred before, during and after a crime and identify a perpetrator. Detectives often specialize in a specific type of crime and usually work on one case until the court dismisses charges, law enforcement makes an arrest or a trial is complete. Though a detective's specific duties vary by their specialization and the department they work for, they may have some common responsibilities. A detective's primary duties may include:

Gathering facts and physical evidence at a crime scene to solve a crime
Preparing and examining formal reports
Observing the activities of criminal suspects
Performing searches and arresting suspects
Using department resources to help solve a crime
Interviewing witnesses, suspects and informants to identify alibis, time frames, potential suspects, missing information and clues
Interrogating suspects to gather as much evidence as possible for a case or to identify a perpetrator
Testifying in courtroom proceedings by explaining evidence or by serving as a witness

Related: Learn About Being a Detective

10 types of detectives

While the goal of most detectives is to gather evidence to help solve a crime, their specific duties depend on their specialties. Knowing the differences between these detectives can help you choose a career path that suits your talents, interests and goals. Here are 10 types of detectives to consider:

1. Homicide detective

Homicide detectives investigate murders and apprehend the suspects accused of committing them. They may assess crime scenes, interview victims, speak with witnesses, conduct walkthroughs of a crime scene, take photographs and videos of the scene and collect evidence to help solve the case. Homicide detectives may also collaborate with other detectives and their criminal science investigation units to share evidence, reconstruct the events of the case and identify a suspect.Related: How To Become a Homicide Detective (With Salary and Skills)

2. Police detective

Also known as criminal investigators, police detectives investigate crimes including robberies, arson, homicides and property crimes. As a police detective, you can specialize in one of these specific types of crime. Some common duties of a police detective include:

Gathering evidence
Following leads
Interviewing witnesses and victims
Writing reports
Interrogating suspects
Making arrests
Serving warrants
Testifying in court

3. Forensic detective

Also known as forensic investigators, forensic detectives use their knowledge of biology, physics and chemistry to investigate and analyze crime scene evidence. They help solve crimes by determining when and how the crime occurred. Forensic detectives collect physical evidence from a crime scene and analyze the evidence and samples by performing a variety of scientific tests. They may also write detailed reports and use scientific evidence to prove the events of the crime. Forensic detectives may testify in court and present their findings to a judge and jury.Related: What Is Forensic Science? (Plus How To Become a Forensic Scientist)

4. Computer crime detective

Also known as a computer crime investigator or computer forensic investigator, a computer crime detective investigates crimes that involve computers and computer networks. They help solve cases associated with cybercriminal activity, such as computer hacking and copyright infringement cases. Some computer crime detectives also help recover computer data to use as evidence, which they may testify about in court. Other computer crime detective duties include inspecting software applications for flaws, analyzing computer systems, collecting computer system information, recovering encrypted files and improving the performance of a computer system.Related: Cyber Security Skills: What Are They and How To Highlight Them in Your Job Search

5. Narcotics detectives

Working at the local, state and federal level, narcotics detectives investigate the illegal sale and purchase of narcotics by working on cases that involve drug-related offenses. They aim to identify and dismantle illicit drug organizations and arrest the individuals who work within them. To apprehend suspects, narcotic detectives sometimes work undercover to learn about the operations of these organizations and gather evidence without revealing their identities as law enforcement officers.

6. Cold case detectives

Cold case detectives work on unsolved criminal cases, also called cold cases. They often work on homicide cases that no longer have a team investigating them for many reasons, such as an officer's retirement or a lack of evidence. Cold case detectives may review original case files containing initial statements, interview the case's first detectives and speak with the people involved in the case. Advances in technology sometimes make it possible for cold case detectives to use existing evidence to solve the crime.Related: Pros and Cons of Being a Detective (Plus Helpful Tips)

7. Undercover detective

Undercover detectives perform covert investigations to collect evidence for a suspected or confirmed crime. They assume another identity while working on the case so others don't identify them as law enforcement officers. They pose as a different person to engage in unlawful activities with suspects, such as purchasing an illegal good or service, without raising the suspicions of the alleged criminal. Undercover detectives often use hidden cameras and recorders, and their projects can take months or years to complete.Related: Guide: How To Become an Undercover Cop

8. Private detective

A private detective, also called a private investigator (PI), is a professional in the field who works outside of the police force. Witnesses, victims and loved ones of people involved in crimes often hire PIs to help them find more information about their cases. They may conduct surveillance, perform criminal background checks and research information about certain people or organizations. The work of a private detective may replace or supplement the work of a police detective, depending on the case. Related: What Is a Private Investigator?

9. Missing persons detective

When someone reports a person as missing to a law enforcement agency, missing persons detectives often take on the case. They may communicate with other law enforcement officers, speak with loved ones and potential witnesses, gather information about the missing person and inform local media to initiate a search. Missing persons detectives may also conduct research that can help them identify the location of the person, such as locating cell phone signals or contacting local businesses about sightings or surveillance footage.

10. Fraud detective

A fraud detective is an investigator who specializes in researching fraudulent activity for the government or private organizations. They may investigate instances of fraud that occur within or outside of an agency and gather data to help resolve the issue. Fraud detectives often speak with people involved, research transactions and records and conduct surveillance to determine how the crime occurred. They may collaborate with attorneys and other criminal justice professionals to present their findings and testify in court.

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FAQs about detectives

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about detectives:

What is the job outlook for a detective?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a projected employment growth of 7% for police and detectives between now and 2030. This job outlook is about as fast as the average of all other professions in the workforce. The agency expects an average of 67,100 positions to open in this field each year within this time frame.Related: How To Become a Detective

How much do detectives make?

The national average salary for detectives is $87,224 per year. The salary you earn as a detective can vary depending on factors like your education, experience level and geographic location. Detectives in these cities may earn more than the national average:

Tampa, Florida:
$103,351 per year
Detroit, Michigan:
$98,596 per year
Chicago, Illinois:
$93,852 per year
New York, New York: $90,538 per year
Atlanta, Georgia: $89,656 per year

For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the links provided.
Related: 23 Highest-Paying Police Departments (Plus Salaries)

How can you start your career as a detective?

Detectives typically begin their careers by working as police officers. This experience gives them the criminal justice and law enforcement background that can help them succeed as detectives. To become a police officer, candidates meet many requirements set by a specific police department. Most police departments require you to be at least 21 years of age, have a valid and current driver's license and be a United States citizen. Once you're recruited, you can complete a police training academy program to become a police officer. This typically takes six months or longer, and officers usually work in the field for several years before applying for detective roles. After you gain experience, you can apply for positions within your current department or with other local, state or federal agencies.Related: Detective Job Requirements

What are the educational requirements for a detective?

While many police or sheriff departments require a high school diploma or a GED at a minimum, some require postsecondary education or a postsecondary degree. Some agencies require candidates to have an associate degree or the equivalent number of college credits, while others prefer those who have a bachelor's degree. Common fields of study for detectives include criminology, criminal justice and forensic psychology.

Investigators & law enforcement