A criminal investigator or special agent is an individual who works with different law enforcement agents to solve crimes. They work discreetly to ensure making correct decisions while looking into suspects as well as thoroughly analysing crime scenes to collect all the relevant pieces of evidence or data. An individual or organisation usually employs them to undertake operations such as finding missing people, collecting information, conducting surveillance to achieve deliberately hidden information, and participating in solving crimes. These agents can be self-employed in law enforcement agencies and work directly for private clients, organisations or corporates. They must maintain reports along with detailed records of cases, as it is a crucial part of their work as they need to submit evidence in court. Criminal investigators and special agents are popular career choices amongst people who are eager to make a career in this field of law enforcement. Therefore, criminal investigators and special agents play an essential role in law enforcement.

The core responsibilities of a criminal investigator and special agents are:

• Develop reports that need thorough investigative findings.
• Collect and confirm the authenticity of the evidence by observation and interviews with the suspects and witnesses.
• Get and execute warrants such as search and arrest warrants. 
• Search and collect evidence in the form of fingerprints, hair strands, etc., through investigative equipment. 
• Investigating crimes such as organised crime, public corruption, copyright infringement, bank robbery, extortion, etc.
• Record documents and evidence by using professional equipment and then later analyse them.
• Cultivate relationships with informants to collect information related to cases. 
• Determining the timing, scope and direction of the investigation.
• Recognising proofs and case problems based on reviewing charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.
• Analysing evidence in laboratories as well as on the field.

• Skills that help them function well. First, they must have the ability of inductive reasoning that helps them combine pieces of information to get to a conclusion.
• They must also be active listeners to give full attention to what witnesses or suspects say while in an interview. They will understand the points being made as well as ask relevant questions for the specific conversation.
• They also need critical thinking abilities to use logic and reasoning in their work to solve cases. Critical thinking will also come in handy while finding alternative solutions or conclusions in an investigation.
• They must also have fluent speaking skills and a good sense of problem-solving ability. Social perceptiveness must also be available; this means that they must be aware of other people's reactions and understand why they reacted the way they did. Along with these skills, they are also required to have a bold & daring personality.