A homicide investigator or homicide detective investigates suspicious deaths and collects and evaluates evidence to determine the cause of a
homicide
Homicide is an act in which a person causes the death of another person. A homicide requires only a Volition (psychology), volitional act, or an omission, that causes the death of another, and thus a homicide may result from Accident, accidenta ...
.
[{{Cite web , title=How to Become a Homicide Detective (Education, Duties & Salary) , url=https://www.allcriminaljusticeschools.com/specialties/homicide-detective-career/ , access-date=2024-11-25 , website=All Criminal Justice Schools , language=en-US]
Homicide investigators begin their work by investigating the
crime scene
A crime scene is any location that may be associated with a committed crime. Crime scenes contain physical evidence that is pertinent to a criminal investigation. This evidence is collected by crime scene investigators (CSI) and law enforcement. ...
to identify and secure evidence. They set the parameters of the crime scene to prevent public interference, ensuring the preservation of both the evidence and the scene itself. After the initial inspection, they reach out to known
witnesses
In law, a witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, either oral or written, of what they know or claim to know.
A witness might be compelled to provide testimony in court, before a grand jur ...
and search for potential witnesses in the vicinity of the crime scene. Revisiting the scene is common, as investigators re-inspect the area to identify any evidence that might have been missed during the initial investigation.
Homicide investigators aim to deliver justice by holding the guilty accountable and protecting the innocent from
wrongful accusations. Their duties often include:
* Collaborating with other law enforcement agencies or the
U.S. District Attorney's office;
* Arresting suspects;
* Preparing, serving, and executing misdemeanor and felony warrants;
* Taking witness depositions; and
* Preparing court documents, including reports, subpoenas, and summons.
References
Detectives
Law enforcement occupations