How Does a Detective Spend a Workday?

Introduction

There are two types of detectives, each spending their day quite similarly. Private detectives work for themselves (or a private company) and police detectives work for the police department. Each have similar duties, though the police detective's day is more structured in that a police detective may have more reports to submit.

Case Load

Both types of detectives are assigned a case load, whether via a supervisor, or in the case of a private detective, via her clients. The detective works the case load by reviewing the individual cases and looking for evidence to solve the case.

Types of Cases

Cases may be related to murders, drugs, kidnappings, animal welfare or any number of incidents. Private detectives also take cases from individuals who ask them to follow someone. He could be trying to find out if one spouse is cheating on another; he could have been hired by an insurance company to find out if life insurance should or should not be paid out based on the insured's policy (the most common is when an unlikely death occurs). Disability insurance companies often hire detectives or may even have an in-house detective working for them to make sure the claimant is actually disabled.

Reports and Paperwork

Detectives, especially police detectives, must write a report on their individual cases. In the case of a police detective, the report is submitted to his superiors. The reports may also be used in court. Often pictures and video may accompany reports, especially in insurance and domestic cases. For every case the detective touches during the day, he will write a report with his findings.

Expert Witnesses

A detective may be called to testify in court as an expert witness. She will use her reports, pictures and videos to paint a picture for the judge or jury. She will also present evidence for the victim or against the criminal.

Conclusion

A detective's day is usually a busy day, as there are always cases to be solved. Some cases may go unsolved for years--these become known as "cold cases." Some detectives will work a cold case, because new technology has been invented that may help the detective solve the cold case.