Government & Public SafetyCompare

Detective

O*NET: Detectives and Criminal Investigators·33-3021.00

The Verdict:Investigation requires physical presence at scenes, face-to-face suspect interviews, and sworn courtroom testimony. AI accelerates records searches and pattern detection, but cannot replace the judgment, adaptability, and legal authority the role demands. No displacement pressure exists, and rising case complexity reinforces demand for experienced investigators.

Resilience Score

/100

Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$94k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

-0.7%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 2 of 31 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
22 of 31 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 23% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

2exposed

7AI leverage

22human-essential

View all 31 tasks

AI Can Handle This2 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.

Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.

AI Leverage7 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.

Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.

Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.

Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.

Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.

Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.

Operate drones for aerial surveillance or to gather evidence from difficult to reach locations.

Human Advantage22 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.

Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.

Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.

Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.

Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.

Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.

Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.

Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.

Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.

Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.

Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.

Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.

Participate or assist in raids and arrests.

Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.

Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.

Notify command of situation and request assistance.

Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.

Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.

Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.

Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.

Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations.

Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps.

Resilience Landscape

Detective lands in Stable & Well-Paid

Higher Resilience Paths in Government & Public Safety

Government & Public Safety

Detective

Task Analysis

Resilience Landscape

Higher Resilience Paths in Government & Public Safety

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