3 answers
Olivia
Student
Stafford, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
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What are some pros and cons of being a Homicide Detective?
Im in highschool and I have been looking at future careers. This one seems to catch my attention the most.
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3 answers
Kevin Czora
Law enforcement
25
Answers
Amherst, New York
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Olivia,
That is a bit of a tough question to answer. You asked about pros, or "good things" about investigating homicides. At its core, there is nothing "good" about those cases. A person has been murdered, a family has lost a loved one, and a violent criminal is on the streets. That does'nt include mental, and the often emotional toll it takes on the investigator. All of that being said, I'll answer that part more generically.
Investigations as a whole is challenging. Often there is an urgency to the case, so time is critical. You need to like using your mind in an intense and often consuming manner. Searching for evidence, being able to read a scene, the ability to interview witnesses and interrogate suspects, and often being able to understand and interperate scienific information are some of the challenges. Then there is the "satisfaction" of making an arrest and attaining a conviction. Being mentally challenged was "exciting". Every day it was something new. Trying to find a fingerpint, a good sample of DNA evidence, a piece of video footage, discovering a cell phone location near the scene. Using my brain was fun! The most challenging part of it was the interrogation. Trying to out-think the suspect face-to-face. Working in and out of the interview, playing cat and mouse. Then, once a confession, even a partial one, was made, the arrest. I enjoyed seeing the hatred on their faces as I handcuffed them. So satisfying!
And of course there are the cons. As I mentioned initially, experiencing the death of another person can have lasting affects. I worked several homicides involving toddlers. It is absolutely heart wrenching having to examine the body of a child. Those cases still haunt me many years later. You cannot pick and choose which homicides you work, so you need to work them all.
Homicide scenes are often very violent. I will not go into graphics of these, but they are often extremely gruesome. Despite the condition of the scene, you must pick through everything, scouring it for any piece of evidence that could solve the crime. The sights, the smells, the contamination of your clothes can all be overwhelming. Again, many of these cases have stuck with me.
Now we'll talk about the stresses. As I mentioned before, dealing with death and the scenes of these terrible acts are intense. But now add on the stress of the investigation. Loved ones have no patience, and rightly so. They want justice, and they want it now. If an arrest isn't immediate, you need to work with the family in understanding the challenges. The issue with that is they don't care, they just want an arrest made. Now factor in the stress of knowing a killer is on the streets. What if they kill again before you can identify them and make an arrest? What if you missed a critical piece of evidence? What if you're looking at the wrong suspect? What if after an arrest there was a mistake in the investigation and the case gets tossed? What if you never make an arrest?
Lastly, the cons of the position. As with any investigative role, you are on-call 24/7. I didn't understand what kind of stress that caused until I became a detective. Being tied to your phone stinks. Every time it rang my heart jumped. Calls in the middle of the night, during my kids birthday parties, on Christmas, none of it mattered. Grab your things and head into work. Then, once you get there, it gets worse. I've worked cases that kept me up for up to 38 hours straight. It can be physically exhausting. It will be mentally exhausting. And once you go home and sleep, its only for a few hours, then back to work, trying to solve the case as soon as possible.
I loved being a detective. I loved the challenges. I loved the training. When I was able to bring justice and closure to victims and families, it made everything worthwhile. In my mind it was a "thankless" job, and I'll explain why. I knew all of my successes were based on other peoples tragedies and pain. I helped my community stay safe, but my role also represented the bad in the world. It is a difficult dilemma. That being said, I am proud of my career, and thankful I could help my community.
Hope this sheds some light and helps you understand, and decide what is best for you. Good luck!
Kevin
That is a bit of a tough question to answer. You asked about pros, or "good things" about investigating homicides. At its core, there is nothing "good" about those cases. A person has been murdered, a family has lost a loved one, and a violent criminal is on the streets. That does'nt include mental, and the often emotional toll it takes on the investigator. All of that being said, I'll answer that part more generically.
Investigations as a whole is challenging. Often there is an urgency to the case, so time is critical. You need to like using your mind in an intense and often consuming manner. Searching for evidence, being able to read a scene, the ability to interview witnesses and interrogate suspects, and often being able to understand and interperate scienific information are some of the challenges. Then there is the "satisfaction" of making an arrest and attaining a conviction. Being mentally challenged was "exciting". Every day it was something new. Trying to find a fingerpint, a good sample of DNA evidence, a piece of video footage, discovering a cell phone location near the scene. Using my brain was fun! The most challenging part of it was the interrogation. Trying to out-think the suspect face-to-face. Working in and out of the interview, playing cat and mouse. Then, once a confession, even a partial one, was made, the arrest. I enjoyed seeing the hatred on their faces as I handcuffed them. So satisfying!
And of course there are the cons. As I mentioned initially, experiencing the death of another person can have lasting affects. I worked several homicides involving toddlers. It is absolutely heart wrenching having to examine the body of a child. Those cases still haunt me many years later. You cannot pick and choose which homicides you work, so you need to work them all.
Homicide scenes are often very violent. I will not go into graphics of these, but they are often extremely gruesome. Despite the condition of the scene, you must pick through everything, scouring it for any piece of evidence that could solve the crime. The sights, the smells, the contamination of your clothes can all be overwhelming. Again, many of these cases have stuck with me.
Now we'll talk about the stresses. As I mentioned before, dealing with death and the scenes of these terrible acts are intense. But now add on the stress of the investigation. Loved ones have no patience, and rightly so. They want justice, and they want it now. If an arrest isn't immediate, you need to work with the family in understanding the challenges. The issue with that is they don't care, they just want an arrest made. Now factor in the stress of knowing a killer is on the streets. What if they kill again before you can identify them and make an arrest? What if you missed a critical piece of evidence? What if you're looking at the wrong suspect? What if after an arrest there was a mistake in the investigation and the case gets tossed? What if you never make an arrest?
Lastly, the cons of the position. As with any investigative role, you are on-call 24/7. I didn't understand what kind of stress that caused until I became a detective. Being tied to your phone stinks. Every time it rang my heart jumped. Calls in the middle of the night, during my kids birthday parties, on Christmas, none of it mattered. Grab your things and head into work. Then, once you get there, it gets worse. I've worked cases that kept me up for up to 38 hours straight. It can be physically exhausting. It will be mentally exhausting. And once you go home and sleep, its only for a few hours, then back to work, trying to solve the case as soon as possible.
I loved being a detective. I loved the challenges. I loved the training. When I was able to bring justice and closure to victims and families, it made everything worthwhile. In my mind it was a "thankless" job, and I'll explain why. I knew all of my successes were based on other peoples tragedies and pain. I helped my community stay safe, but my role also represented the bad in the world. It is a difficult dilemma. That being said, I am proud of my career, and thankful I could help my community.
Hope this sheds some light and helps you understand, and decide what is best for you. Good luck!
Kevin
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
549
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Olivia,
Good question! Becoming a homicide detective can be a highly rewarding but also challenging career. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
1. Impactful Work: Homicide detectives play a crucial role in solving serious crimes and bringing justice to victims and their families. This can be deeply fulfilling and meaningful work.
2. Skill Development: The role requires a diverse skill set, including critical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal communication. These skills are valuable both professionally and personally.
3. Exciting and Dynamic Environment: The job is rarely monotonous. Each case is different, requiring a new approach and strategy. This can make the job feel exciting and engaging.
4. Teamwork and Camaraderie: Homicide detectives often work closely with other law enforcement officers, forensic teams, and legal professionals. The teamwork involved can create a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
5. Career Progression: There are opportunities for advancement within the police force, from becoming a senior detective to moving into higher administrative roles or specialized units.
Cons:
1. High Stress and Emotional Toll: Working with violent crimes can be emotionally taxing. Detectives often deal with gruesome crime scenes, which can lead to emotional stress or trauma over time.
2. Irregular Hours and On-Call Demands: Homicide detectives often work long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. They are usually on call, which can disrupt personal plans and work-life balance.
3. Dangerous Situations: Detectives sometimes find themselves in dangerous situations, whether it’s arresting suspects or conducting investigations in potentially hostile environments.
4. Exposure to Traumatic Situations: Constant exposure to violent crimes and tragic circumstances can lead to mental health challenges, including burnout, depression, or PTSD.
5. Pressure and Accountability: There is significant pressure to solve cases quickly, especially high-profile ones. The job also comes with a high level of accountability, where mistakes can have serious consequences for justice and public trust.
Considerations:
If you’re interested in becoming a homicide detective, consider starting by exploring law enforcement-related activities or volunteering opportunities that can provide you with a glimpse into the field. You could also consider shadowing a police officer or detective to gain a better understanding of what the career entails. Developing strong communication and analytical skills will also be beneficial for this career path.
Best wishes!
Good question! Becoming a homicide detective can be a highly rewarding but also challenging career. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
1. Impactful Work: Homicide detectives play a crucial role in solving serious crimes and bringing justice to victims and their families. This can be deeply fulfilling and meaningful work.
2. Skill Development: The role requires a diverse skill set, including critical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal communication. These skills are valuable both professionally and personally.
3. Exciting and Dynamic Environment: The job is rarely monotonous. Each case is different, requiring a new approach and strategy. This can make the job feel exciting and engaging.
4. Teamwork and Camaraderie: Homicide detectives often work closely with other law enforcement officers, forensic teams, and legal professionals. The teamwork involved can create a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
5. Career Progression: There are opportunities for advancement within the police force, from becoming a senior detective to moving into higher administrative roles or specialized units.
Cons:
1. High Stress and Emotional Toll: Working with violent crimes can be emotionally taxing. Detectives often deal with gruesome crime scenes, which can lead to emotional stress or trauma over time.
2. Irregular Hours and On-Call Demands: Homicide detectives often work long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. They are usually on call, which can disrupt personal plans and work-life balance.
3. Dangerous Situations: Detectives sometimes find themselves in dangerous situations, whether it’s arresting suspects or conducting investigations in potentially hostile environments.
4. Exposure to Traumatic Situations: Constant exposure to violent crimes and tragic circumstances can lead to mental health challenges, including burnout, depression, or PTSD.
5. Pressure and Accountability: There is significant pressure to solve cases quickly, especially high-profile ones. The job also comes with a high level of accountability, where mistakes can have serious consequences for justice and public trust.
Considerations:
If you’re interested in becoming a homicide detective, consider starting by exploring law enforcement-related activities or volunteering opportunities that can provide you with a glimpse into the field. You could also consider shadowing a police officer or detective to gain a better understanding of what the career entails. Developing strong communication and analytical skills will also be beneficial for this career path.
Best wishes!
Walter Ozeki
Retired law enforcement and current security professional
33
Answers
Honolulu, Hawaii
Updated
Walter’s Answer
Dear Olivia,
As we've discussed before, the journey to becoming a Homicide Detective is not a straightforward path, but rather a climb that requires dedication and hard work. Typically, you'll begin your journey as an Officer, where you'll learn the fundamental aspects of police work. From there, you'll have the chance to advance to the rank of Detective, a process that often involves testing, interviews, or a combination of both.
Once you've earned the title of Detective, you'll start refining your investigative prowess. This includes mastering the art of conducting investigations, processing crime scenes, handling evidence, conducting interviews and interrogations, search and seizure operations, report writing, drafting warrants and other legal documents, and mastering various scientific investigation techniques. As you gain proficiency in these areas, you'll be well on your way to potentially advancing to the coveted position of Homicide Detective. The process for this varies from department to department, but it's universally recognized as the zenith of detective work.
Being a Homicide Detective is, without a doubt, a fulfilling role. You'll be tasked with solving the most serious crimes, providing much-needed closure to the families and loved ones of victims. There's no greater reward than this. You'll earn a high level of respect within your department, and every case you work on will be of significant importance. In my previous department of 2200 officers, only 8 were Homicide Detectives, placing you in an exclusive circle.
However, it's important to consider the challenges. The role involves long hours, especially when working on a case, and being on call, sometimes even in the middle of the night. Homicides, unfortunately, don't adhere to a convenient schedule. The reports can be lengthy and detailed, requiring extensive reading and typing. One of the toughest aspects is that you'll often be exposed to unsettling scenes and situations. You'll be dealing with the darker side of society, which can be emotionally demanding. It's not a role suited to everyone. Ultimately, the decision lies with you. If you're ready to invest the time and effort, this could be the perfect path for you.
As we've discussed before, the journey to becoming a Homicide Detective is not a straightforward path, but rather a climb that requires dedication and hard work. Typically, you'll begin your journey as an Officer, where you'll learn the fundamental aspects of police work. From there, you'll have the chance to advance to the rank of Detective, a process that often involves testing, interviews, or a combination of both.
Once you've earned the title of Detective, you'll start refining your investigative prowess. This includes mastering the art of conducting investigations, processing crime scenes, handling evidence, conducting interviews and interrogations, search and seizure operations, report writing, drafting warrants and other legal documents, and mastering various scientific investigation techniques. As you gain proficiency in these areas, you'll be well on your way to potentially advancing to the coveted position of Homicide Detective. The process for this varies from department to department, but it's universally recognized as the zenith of detective work.
Being a Homicide Detective is, without a doubt, a fulfilling role. You'll be tasked with solving the most serious crimes, providing much-needed closure to the families and loved ones of victims. There's no greater reward than this. You'll earn a high level of respect within your department, and every case you work on will be of significant importance. In my previous department of 2200 officers, only 8 were Homicide Detectives, placing you in an exclusive circle.
However, it's important to consider the challenges. The role involves long hours, especially when working on a case, and being on call, sometimes even in the middle of the night. Homicides, unfortunately, don't adhere to a convenient schedule. The reports can be lengthy and detailed, requiring extensive reading and typing. One of the toughest aspects is that you'll often be exposed to unsettling scenes and situations. You'll be dealing with the darker side of society, which can be emotionally demanding. It's not a role suited to everyone. Ultimately, the decision lies with you. If you're ready to invest the time and effort, this could be the perfect path for you.