The first step to becoming a successful criminal investigator is to develop the right mindset. In order to be truly successful, you must be dedicated, persistent, and willing to put in long hours researching new leads and questioning witnesses. You should also have an innate intuition for solving puzzles and figuring out how things fit together. Developing these skills will require lots of practice and patience, as well as mentorship from experienced investigators.

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of criminal investigation, it’s important that you build strong relationships with your colleagues in law enforcement. Cooperation and teamwork are essential when working on complex cases, and it’s important to forge these relationships early on so that they can grow over time. By establishing yourself as a reliable resource for additional information or assistance during those crucial early days of your career, you will form lasting bonds with your fellow investigators that will serve you well throughout your career.

Overall, becoming a skilled criminal investigator requires careful planning and hard work from day one. But with dedication, persistence, and an open mind, anyone can reach their full potential in this rewarding field.