Qualities of an Investigator

1. Primary Qualifications

a. He must have at least one year of patrol duty as a police officer and
previous work experience in the field before being able to work as a criminal
investigator.

b. Additionally, he must possess strong interviewing and communication

skills.

c. Criminal investigators must be able to stay calm in stressful situations

and have personality traits that include honesty and trustworthiness.

d. Other skills needed as a criminal investigator are the ability to use

logic to solve problems and cases and the ability to be perceptive to the reactions of
others and to physical surroundings pertaining to investigations.

e. Outstanding problem solving and decision making skills are also

important.

f. Good physical and mental health are additional qualifications needed

to succeed as a criminal investigator.

2. Training and Educational Qualifications

a. Must have a baccalaureate degree.

b. Must have proper training related to investigation.

3. Special Qualifications

a. Must have a valid driver’s license and must not possess a criminal
background.

b. Criminal investigators must also meet specific vision, weight, and

height requirements.

c. Minimum age requirements depend on the wants and needs of a

specific law agency.

d. Up-to-date knowledge on legal policies and procedures and knowledge

of current criminal investigation strategies.
 e. They must also stay informed of current legal codes, government
regulations, court procedures, and criminal laws.

D. Three I’s – Tools of an Investigator in Gathering Facts

1. Information – data gathered by investigator from other persons including the

victim himself and from:

a. Public Records

b. Private Records

c. Modus Operandi File

2. Interrogation – skillful questioning of hostile witnesses and suspects.

3. Instrumentation – scientific examination of real evidence, application of

instrument, and methods of the physical sciences in detecting crimes.

E. Phases of Investigation

The main objective of a police investigator is to gather all facts in order to:
1. Identify the criminal through:
a. confession; b. eyewitness testimony; c. circumstantial evidence; d.
associate evidence;

2. Trace and locate the criminal;

3. Prove by evidence the guilt of the suspect(s).

In proving the guilt of the accused in court, the fact of the existence of the
crime must be established; the defendant must be identified and associated with the
crime scene; competent and credible witnesses must be available; and, the physical
evidence must be appropriately identified. The proof of guilt will depend on the
establishment of the essential elements of the crime. The investigator must know by
heart the elements of a specific crime.