Skills
Detective Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in detectives, and how to build and show them.
What skills do detectives need?
Detectives need technical skills such as investigative interviewing, evidence collection, and report and warrant writing, plus people skills like persistence and critical thinking. They also use tools such as Case management systems and Evidence kits.
Technical (hard) skills
- Investigative interviewing
- Evidence collection
- Report and warrant writing
- Digital evidence basics
- Criminal law
- Courtroom testimony
People (soft) skills
- Persistence
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Integrity
Tools, equipment and technology
- Case management systems
- Evidence kits
- Cameras and video tools
- Databases and records systems
- Digital forensics tools
- Body-worn and interview recording systems
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how detectives put their skills to work:
- How to conduct a witness interview
- How to maintain chain of custody
- How to write a search warrant affidavit
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “Investigative interviewing” and “Evidence collection.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “persistence,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as State peace officer certification near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our detective glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Detective training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.