If you want to work as a federal criminal investigator, you must first determine what qualifications are required by contacting the appropriate government agency. In the United States, for example, you could go to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s official website (FBI). The FBI’s website contains information on how to apply for a job with the agency as well as the qualifications that its investigators must possess. This will provide you with the fundamental information you’ll need to start your career as a federal criminal investigator.
You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree to work in criminal investigations for federal agencies like the FBI. In federal crime investigation, a master’s degree is frequently preferred. Criminal justice, biology, chemistry, and psychology are all good subjects to study.
Government agencies that hire federal criminal investigators usually place a high value on military experience. Joining a local military organization could help you gain some of the experience you’ll need to work as a federal criminal investigator. Working as a security guard or in a collections agency can help you gain experience in criminal investigations. A career as a police officer in civilian or military policing could be a good place to start if you want to work in criminal investigations.
For previous and current work experience, your references and recommendations should be excellent. You must have no outstanding debts and a clean criminal record. Investigators are required to be physically fit. If you want to work as a federal criminal investigator, your physical fitness and energy level will almost certainly be tested. It’s also possible that you’ll be subjected to vision and hearing tests. Most federal agencies administer polygraph tests to aspiring investigators to determine their honesty.
If you want to work as a federal criminal investigator, you must have a strong interest in investigating crimes with the goal of solving them. Investigations into federal crimes such as Internet offenses, bank fraud, kidnapping, and robbery require meticulous evidence gathering. You should be able to work independently as well as as part of a larger team. You’ll need a stable personality and the ability to communicate with people who could be violent.
You will then enroll in a federal criminal investigations training program after completing the required education and experience and passing all agency tests. Depending on the federal agency, training could take up to six months or even longer. If you want to work as a federal criminal investigator, you should be prepared to relocate.