An investigative assistant assists law enforcement and government agencies in a variety of ways. This assistance usually entails gathering and analyzing data to aid in the investigation and prosecution of a variety of civil and criminal cases. An investigative assistant’s daily responsibilities do not require a college diploma, but they may include gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and locating witnesses. The various regulations and procedures of the agencies that conduct criminal investigations must be known to an investigative assistant. Other responsibilities include gaining access to specific locations or areas and working at odd hours in all types of weather.
While some investigative assistants do well in their jobs without a college diploma, many employers prefer those who have received the training and education that comes with a bachelor’s degree in criminology, law enforcement, criminal investigation, or a related field of study. Some have worked their way up through the ranks of law enforcement, learning the legal and practical aspects of criminal investigation while on the job. The legal requirements for gathering evidence and submitting it through proper channels must be fully understood investigative assistants. Locating and interviewing witnesses or other people involved in an investigation may be one of the more mundane aspects of this job. When working with witnesses, perpetrators, or law enforcement officials during an investigation, good communication and people skills are required.
One of the most important requirements of any criminal investigation is to follow proper legal procedures. The usefulness of the information obtained could be jeopardized if an investigative assistant’s work is done incorrectly or outside of established legal parameters. Citizens’ legal rights, proper techniques for interrogating witnesses, and the limits of investigative techniques under a specific jurisdiction are all things that investigative assistants must be aware of. An investigative assistant is required law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as government agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
An investigative assistant may be required to research and locate specific types of information from sometimes obscure sources, such as law enforcement databases, utility records, directories, Internet sources, and public or private agencies, in addition to assisting with routine investigations. Other responsibilities may include serving subpoenas or other legal documents, maintaining a record of those served with positive identification, and even conducting surveillance. To support any investigative activities associated with a specific case, an investigative assistant may be required to testify in court. Maintaining records of all these investigative activities, preparing the associated reports, and writing any necessary correspondence are all important aspects of this job. Working at all hours of the day and night, as well as on weekends and holidays, may be required.