6 Criminal Justice Skills

Criminal justice is a field with many opportunities, and many careers in this field are growing fast. While each position requires a different set of skills and specialties, several criminal justice skills are necessary for individuals to thrive in this field. Honing these skills often starts with earning a degree in criminal justice, allowing a student to build a foundation on which to develop the key criminal justice skills.

Why Pursue a Career in Criminal Justice

A career in criminal justice can be highly fulfilling, especially for those who want to make a difference in people’s lives. These careers often involve not only solving crimes but also helping those who’ve suffered injustices. Careers in criminal justice can be great for those who are highly inquisitive, who want their work to impact the lives of others, and who have a strong sense of right and wrong.

Careers in Criminal Justice

Numerous careers use criminal justice skills, including the following:

• Caseworkers: Caseworkers work with nonprofit organizations and government agencies to help people receive the services they need.
• Criminal Investigators: Criminal investigators, or detectives, work with law enforcement agencies to investigate and analyze crimes to find the right perpetrator. 
• Private Investigators: Private investigators can work for law enforcement agencies or directly with clients to collect evidence and surveil potential perpetrators.
• Forensic Science Technicians: Forensic science technicians prepare, maintain and analyze evidence from crime scenes.
• Social Researchers: Social researchers conduct surveys, studies and interviews to gather information and present their findings on important topics, such as crime, housing and education.

6 Essential Criminal Justice Skills

Criminal justice professionals use many different skills, and every criminal justice career requires a unique skill set. However, the six skills below are generally necessary for most careers in criminal justice.

Analytical

Analytical skills are an essential quality to hone for someone looking to pursue a career in criminal justice. This criminal justice skill allows professionals to gather and evaluate crucial evidence. Criminal justice professionals often have to unpack large amounts of data, so being able to understand all this information is vital. 

Critical Thinking

Analysis alone isn’t enough to thrive in a criminal justice setting. After analyzing evidence, interviews and testimonies, criminal justice professionals must be able to draw conclusions based on what they know. They need to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to develop and test theories on who committed a crime and how they committed it to catch the right perpetrator. 

Attention to Detail

Sometimes a criminal justice professional needs to be able to see what many other people miss at a crime scene. They need to know what evidence is important to collect, especially for roles that may require the recreation of a crime scene later. However, it’s not just at crime scenes where attention to detail is necessary. Consider the role of a caseworker, who helps people receive essential services. A caseworker must be able to spot signs of issues to ensure that the person in their care is getting the help they need. 

Communication

Most criminal justice careers require collaboration and communication with multiple people. A detective will work with other police officers, forensic scientists and many other criminal justice professionals to fully understand a case and attempt to solve it. In some cases, a criminal justice professional will also have to testify about their findings in court. In addition to general communication skills, these individuals should hone their public speaking skills.

Leadership

Not every criminal justice professional leads a team, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t hone their leadership qualities. This criminal justice skill is essential because many criminal justice professionals, especially police officers and detectives, need to demonstrate a sense of authority. They need to show that they have a handle on every situation to make the public feel supported and protected.

Empathy

Criminal justice professionals witness some situations that might be challenging for the general public to see. These professionals need to not only have the mental strength to routinely expose themselves to these horrific circumstances but also demonstrate empathy for victims and their families, as well as witnesses.

Honing Your Criminal Justice Skills for Your New Career

The world of criminal justice has so many opportunities. You can solve crimes, help families seek justice, get people the services and support they need and much more to make a difference in the lives of many. Starting your career in criminal justice begins with honing your criminal justice skills, and the Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at App State Online allows you to do just that. The program teaches you not only the fundamentals of criminal justice but also the skills you need for this growing field, including leadership skills, critical thinking and data analysis. 

Start your criminal justice career with App State Online.

Sources:

Indeed, Comprehensive Guide to Starting a Criminal Justice Career

Indeed, What Jobs Can You Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Forensic Science Technicians

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Police and Detectives

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Private Detectives and Investigators

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists