What Is a Crime Analyst?

If you are exploring high-level criminal justice job opportunities, you may have considered roles such as forensic scientist or police investigator. However, one role you may not have much prior knowledge of is that of a crime analyst. Crime analysis and criminal profiling is not a new field, although for many decades only large precincts in metropolitan areas had room in their budgets for criminologists to perform these tasks. Yet, positions in crime analysis have become more common and may now be found in both rural and urban locations. The growing demand for crime analysts creates exciting possibilities for those who are thinking of entering the criminal justice system.

Overview of Crime Analysis

Crime analysts are not usually law enforcement officers. However, they often work alongside law enforcement personnel. Their goal is to solve open cases, reduce the risk of future crimes and educate the public about crime prevention and criminal trends.

As with many criminal justice jobs, the job of a crime analyst is heavily focused on research. It involves studying patterns and trends in criminal behavior. This research is often used to develop crime prevention programs. In other cases, crime analysts directly contribute to the identification of suspects. Some crime analysts may also produce scholarly works that explain their findings to assist their counterparts in enforcement organizations around the world. For example, some professionals may contribute reports to the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA).

Specific Responsibilities of Crime Analysts

Crime analysts can work for any level of law enforcement – from local precincts to state police to federal enforcement agencies, including the FBI. Their job descriptions may vary from one department to the next. In general, however, these professionals may perform any of the following tasks:

• Use crime-mapping technology, police reports and other raw data to develop a better understanding of criminal behaviors and trends
• Advise law enforcement officers about criminal behavior and trends
• Identify crime hot spots and advise on the allocation of police resources
• Identify emerging challenges in criminology and develop suggestions for strategic responses

However, crime analysts do not focus solely on trends. They also work on specific cases. They review the raw data and analyze evidence and crime scenes. Based on their findings, crime analysts can develop a psychological profile of a suspect. This is known as criminal profiling. When profiling a criminal, a crime analyst will consider possible personality traits and psychopathologies as well as demographic information, such as likely age and geographic location. These insights can help investigators narrow down the suspect list and bring the criminal to justice.

Education Requirements for Crime Analysts

Unlike many other careers in law enforcement, a bachelor’s degree is often not sufficient to pursue a career as a crime analyst. Many employers prefer aspiring analysts to hold a master’s degree. Plan to earn your graduate degree in a criminal justice program. During the course of your studies, you will develop in-depth knowledge of key topics such as the following:

• Criminal behavior analysis
• Crime analysis and case management
• Law and public policy
• Organizational behavior and leadership
• Strategic analysis and organizational planning

In addition, you can expect to study the role and specific applications of professional ethics and ethical decision-making in this field. Some specific skills you will learn include the science of criminal profiling, personality assessment, research methods and the development of effective crime prevention programs in communities. These skills will serve you well as you pursue a meaningful career in crime analysis and criminal profiling.

Work Experience for Crime Analysis

As you work through your graduate degree program, you might consider exploring relevant internship opportunities. Besides offering useful experience, these are a possible source of professional connections that can help you land your desired job after graduation. Note that most crime analysts are non-sworn members of law enforcement agencies. However, in some organizations, crime analysts are expected to be sworn members of the agency.

If the position you desire is as a sworn member, you can expect to go through police academy training. You might also be expected to work as a law enforcement officer for a few years to acquire experience in the field before progressing to the specialized role of crime analyst.

Traits and Characteristics of Effective Crime Analysts

Your master’s degree in criminal justice supports your work as a crime analyst. However, it is also helpful to work on developing certain professional characteristics and skills. Crime analysts spend a great deal of time on solitary research pursuits, but they must also frequently collaborate with other professionals. It is helpful to have good communication skills. In addition, crime analysts are trusted with sensitive information, so a strong sense of professional ethics is critical. 

In addition, the following skills and characteristics are useful:

• Time management
• Commitment to continual professional education and development
• Analytical reasoning
• Critical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Ability to think outside the box

You can pursue a rewarding career as a crime analyst by earning your master’s degree online at Grand Canyon University. Apply to enroll in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program with an Emphasis in Law Enforcement and emerge with crucial skills in strategic planning, crime prevention and risk management. You can also choose to pursue an online or in-person bachelor’s degree to help you prepare for a master’s degree program. Click on the button to Request Info at the top of your screen today.