Will AI Replace Detectives and Criminal Investigators?

Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Participate or assist in raids and arrests.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Notify command of situation and request assistance.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.