What does a special investigator do?
A special investigator is responsible for gathering information and analyzing evidence to identify criminal activities and law-violating instances. Special investigators review surveillance devices, interview witnesses, and coordinate with law enforcement agencies to collect related reports. They sort and store documents securely on databases for reference, confirm statements, and assist in court procedures for in-depth investigation. A special investigator must be highly communicative and observational, especially in organizing materials and verifying information to support claims and file the appropriate legal actions.
Special investigator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real special investigator resumes:
- Gather and analyze pertinent documentation, collect recorded statements, report fraud, and manage data in support of subsequent litigation.
- Gather and analyze pertinent documentation, collect recorded statements, report fraud, and manage data in support of subsequent litigation.
- Complete a DMV check to verify applicant identity.
- Conduct in-depth financial investigations to determine patient's eligibility for Medicaid.
- Ensure compliance of all plans and documentation by researching employment history, criminal records, civil filings, and DMV records.
- Use specify techniques to safeguard PII including daily case document check out and bi-weekly case retention manifests.
- Handle and safeguard sensitive and confidential information, including personal identifiable information (PII).
Special investigator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Special Investigators are proficient in Law Enforcement Agencies, Background Checks, and Child Abuse. They’re also known for soft skills such as Empathy, Good judgment, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Special Investigators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Law Enforcement Agencies, 11%
Investigate crimes committed within the Departments jurisdiction, coordinate with other law enforcement agencies and support institutional authorities.
- Background Checks, 9%
Conducted thorough background checks on offenders by utilizing various criminal justice databases.
- Child Abuse, 7%
Conducted specialized investigations of child abuse and neglect.
- Insurance Claims, 5%
Investigated Unemployment Insurance claims-Interviewed individuals receiving Unemployment benefits-Verified employment of individuals
- SIS, 5%
Supervised SIS Lieutenants and Technicians in the gathering of strategic and operational intelligence and investigative procedures.
- Local Law Enforcement, 4%
Coordinated with local law enforcement regarding surveillance activities within their jurisdictions.
Most special investigators use their skills in "law enforcement agencies," "background checks," and "child abuse" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential special investigator responsibilities here:
Empathy. One of the key soft skills for a special investigator to have is empathy. You can see how this relates to what special investigators do because "police officers need to understand the perspectives of a variety of people in their jurisdiction and be willing to help the public." Additionally, a special investigator resume shows how special investigators use empathy: "established memorandum of understanding with other law enforcement agencies to include the bureau of indian affairs and other local agencies. "
Good judgment. Another essential skill to perform special investigator duties is good judgment. Special investigators responsibilities require that "police and detectives must be able to determine the best way to solve an array of problems." Special investigators also use good judgment in their role according to a real resume snippet: "maintain good working relationships with city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to provide maximum resident protection. "
Leadership skills. special investigators are also known for leadership skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to special investigator responsibilities, because "police officers must be comfortable with being a highly visible member of their community, as the public looks to them for help in emergencies." A special investigator resume example shows how leadership skills is used in the workplace: "accomplished in research, writing, customer service, communications and marketing, and leadership. "
Physical strength. A big part of what special investigators do relies on "physical strength." You can see how essential it is to special investigator responsibilities because "police officers must be strong enough to physically apprehend suspects and to assist people in precarious situations." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical special investigator tasks: "prepared case reports from allegations, interview transcripts of interviews, physical evidence an assisting in settling negotiations"
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in special investigator job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what special investigators do. Special investigator responsibilities rely on this skill because "police and detectives must be able to speak with people and to express details in writing about an incident." You can also see how special investigator duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "maintain open communication with local law enforcement. "
The three companies that hire the most special investigators are:
- Texas13 special investigators jobs
- AmeriHealth Caritas10 special investigators jobs
- Ford Motor4 special investigators jobs
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Compare different special investigators
Special investigator vs. Marshal
The duties of a marshal primarily depend on their line of work or place of employment. They typically have high positions in various areas such as in the fire department, law enforcement, and even in aviation. Although the extent of their duties varies, it typically includes enforcing law and order, responding to distress, developing action plans, spearheading programs to protect lives and properties, and maintaining peace and security in facilities. Moreover, a marshal must be proactive in dealing with issues as there can be dangers on the job.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between special investigators and marshal. For instance, special investigator responsibilities require skills such as "background checks," "child abuse," "insurance claims," and "sis." Whereas a marshal is skilled in "safety standards," "cleanliness," "sales floor," and "safety procedures." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that marshals earn slightly differ from special investigators. In particular, marshals are 8.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a special investigator. Additionally, they're 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special investigator vs. Child support officer
Child support officers evaluate child support cases to identify the needed financial support. The officers interview relatives and parents and review court documents, and any other records. They recommend the amount of money that parents need to provide. It is part of their job to assist efforts in establishing parents' paternity and in initiating legal action for payment collection. They take part in court hearings and recommend paternity and child support. Also, they are trained in emergency medical response to prepare them for life-threatening situations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real special investigator resumes. While special investigator responsibilities can utilize skills like "law enforcement agencies," "background checks," "child abuse," and "insurance claims," child support officers use skills like "child support cases," "child support orders," "paternity," and "court orders."
On average, child support officers earn a lower salary than special investigators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, child support officers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $43,485. Whereas special investigators have higher pay in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $62,240.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Child support officers tend to reach similar levels of education than special investigators. In fact, they're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special investigator vs. United states marshal
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, special investigators are more likely to have skills like "background checks," "child abuse," "insurance claims," and "sis." But a united states marshal is more likely to have skills like "financial transactions," "database," "usms," and "direct supervision."
United states marshals typically earn similar educational levels compared to special investigators. Specifically, they're 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special investigator vs. Federal air marshal
Even though a few skill sets overlap between special investigators and federal air marshals, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a special investigator might have more use for skills like "child abuse," "insurance claims," "sis," and "siu." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of federal air marshals require skills like "federal air," "surveillance detection," "emergency situations," and "firearms proficiency. "
In general, federal air marshals hold similar degree levels compared to special investigators. Federal air marshals are 2.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of special investigator
Updated January 8, 2025
