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Criminal Investigator

Public Safety & Defence

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

Public Safety & DefenceLaw

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
  2. 2Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
  3. 3Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
  4. 4Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
  5. 5Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
  6. 6Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
  7. 7Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
  8. 8Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
  9. 9Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
  10. 10Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
  11. 11Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
  12. 12Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
  13. 13Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
  14. 14Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.
  15. 15Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.
  16. 16Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
  17. 17Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.
  18. 18Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
  19. 19Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.
  20. 20Participate or assist in raids and arrests.
  21. 21Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.
  22. 22Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.
  23. 23Notify command of situation and request assistance.
  24. 24Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.
  25. 25Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.
  26. 26Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
  27. 27Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.
  28. 28Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.
  29. 29Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations.
  30. 30Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • PI
  • CSI
  • Spy
  • CIA Agent
  • DEA AGENT
  • Detective
  • US Marshal
  • Air Marshal
  • Criminalist
  • FBI Profiler

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. Typical entry

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationHigh school diploma

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

History (Sejarah)Draws directly on Law and Government — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
BusinessDraws directly on Administrative — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Law and Government97%

    History (Sejarah)

  • Public Safety and Security92%
  • English Language84%

    English

  • Customer and Personal Service80%
  • Psychology77%
  • Computers and Electronics71%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
  • Leading or coordinating othersVery high
  • Handling conflict situationsEvery day
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherEvery day
  • Noisy environmentRarely

Where this job is heading

Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.

  • Operate drones for aerial surveillance or to gather evidence from difficult to reach locations.
  • Use drone technology for aerial photography and videography of crime scenes.
  • Make recommendations for investigations and subpoenas.

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

7%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Police Inspector (PDRM)

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org

Programmes that lead here

Programmes from the official UPU (KPT) and MQA catalogues whose field of study typically leads to this career. Matched by field, not a job guarantee.

Public universities (UPU)

Private institutions (MQA-accredited)

Search the programme catalogue