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Kimmy Gustafson
How To Become a Crime Analyst
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Detectives, forensic technicians, or law enforcement officers do not solve all crimes. Many crimes are analyzed in complex ways from behind a computer desk by trained crime analysts. These curious, dedicated, and detail-oriented professionals rarely set foot at a crime scene but know what to look for to solve or predict crime.
Crime analysts work in law enforcement, analyzing crime reports, arrest records, police calls, and other data to establish patterns and make correlations. Then, they synthesize the data they gather into detailed information used by their departments to make decisions about prosecutions, patrols, and staffing. Crime analysts can pursue several specifications, including tactical, criminal, administrative, intelligence, and strategic criminal analysis.
Although most crime analysts have earned at least a bachelor’s degree or higher, aspiring professionals can enter this field by completing a certificate program. Law enforcement work experience can often be just as essential as education, so aspiring crime analysts should strive to gain volunteer work or paid employment to improve employability.
Although highly recommended and required by many employers, national certification is optional in this field. Some programs offer national certification upon completion, while others prepare students to sit for exams such as the Certified Law Enforcement Analyst (CLEA) through the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) or the Criminal Intelligence Certified Analyst (CICA) through the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA).
The guide below will give you all the details on how to become a crime analyst and typical salaries, required personality traits, necessary education, and what credentials are required.
| Featured Crime Analysis Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Crime Analysis (Graduate Certificate) | Visit Site |
| Arizona State University | Crime Analysis (MS) | Visit Site |
| Southern New Hampshire University | BSCJ - Criminology and Crime Analysis | Visit Site |
| Boston University | MSCJ - Crime Analysis Concentration | Visit Site |
| Michigan State University | Online MS - Law Enforcement Intelligence & Analysis | Visit Site |
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Crime Analyst Salary
Since crime analysts’ jobs are relatively new, there is a lot of variation in estimated salaries. The variations are based on education, training, certification, and whether or not the crime analyst is a law enforcement officer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023), crime analysts can be classified as detectives and criminal investigators. Therefore, the percentiles for wages are:
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Number of Private Detectives and Investigators Employed | 34,600 |
| Average Annual Salary | $60,270 |
| 10th percentile | $36,060 |
| 25th percentile | $40,130 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,540 |
| 75th percentile | $74,830 |
| 90th percentile | $96,600 |
Although this role is more specialized, crime analysts may also be classified as forensic science technicians. According to the BLS (May 2023), the percentiles for wages for forensic science technicians are:
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Number of Forensic Science Technicians Employed | 17,520 |
| Average Annual Salary | $71,540 |
| 10th percentile | $41,410 |
| 25th percentile | $50,480 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,940 |
| 75th percentile | $84,720 |
| 90th percentile | $107,490 |
PayScale.com aggregates self-reported wage data to determine the average pay for crime analysts. The average pay for crime analysts, based on 141 self-reported salaries, is $53,318 per year. The percentiles in 2024, according to PayScale.com, are:
- 10th percentile: $40,000
- 50th percentile (median): $53,318
- 90th percentile: $69,000
Skills & Personality Traits of the Successful Crime Analyst
Crime analysts must be detail-oriented, curious, and work well under pressure. They have to be able to make connections and see patterns in what may otherwise look like a sea of information. The top traits that employers look for in crime analysts include the following:
Finding Patterns
Crime analysts review police reports daily to identify patterns as they develop. They need to recall data easily and determine links between crimes that may be days and miles apart. Patterns are quickly reported to police officers to help them maintain public safety. While some patterns may be in the type of crime, such as a type of business being robbed, they can also be in hot spots where all crime increases.
Communication Skills
Crime analysts are typical law enforcement team members and must communicate clearly and accurately. Patterns discovered through analysis are communicated to police officers, supervisors, and detectives in person, by phone, or by email. Sometimes, crime analysts must write detailed reports outlining their findings to present to elected officials or publish in public statements.
Research and Analysis
Crime analysts need to look at the data they are presented with daily, but they must also relate that data to historical data to determine patterns. Crime analysts must be able to research quickly and effectively and synthesize large amounts of data in a short period.
Time Management
Crime analysts often must work under strict time constraints with large amounts of data. Therefore, they must be efficient at prioritizing their work and staying on task to complete analyses and reports promptly.
Curiosity
Staying curious is essential to being an excellent crime analyst. Often, something may seem off, but there is no apparent reason why. Crime analysts need flexible thinking that considers out-of-the-box ideas as to why things are happening the way they are. When they can do that, they can determine patterns that otherwise may not have been detected.
Crime Analyst Specializations
Place of employment typically determines specialization for crime analysts. Most crime analysts work in local, county, or state law enforcement offices, while some may work for government agencies or nonprofits. While most crime analysts are civilians, some may be trained and sworn-in law enforcement officers. The five main types of specializations are:
Intelligence Analysis
This type of analysis relates to organized crime. Crime analysts working in intelligence look for patterns in drug trafficking, prostitution, fraud, and gangs. Analysts review data, including surveillance completed by law enforcement, wiretaps, reports from informants, and work completed by undercover cops.
Criminal Investigative Analysis
Popular TV shows such as Criminal Minds and Mind Hunter are based on criminal investigative analysis. Analysts in this field profile criminals and seek patterns in behavior, murders, and crime scenes to help law enforcement identify the perpetrator.
Tactical Crime Analysis
Tactical crime analysis examines a crime’s who, what, when, where, why, and how. By carefully analyzing all those aspects, crime analysts identify leads to help solve the case. This systematic analysis involves detailed reviews of police reports, crime scene photos, and interview transcripts.
Strategic Crime Analysis
Strategic crime analysis investigates crimes that occur over an extended time or even long-term patterns in police behavior. Unfortunately, this particular form of criminal analysis can be daunting, as the number of records professionals must examine can be astronomical. As a result, crime analysts in this field often utilize machine learning or other software tools to help them comb through mountains of data.
Administrative Crime Analysis
Information gathered and evaluated by crime analysts often must be synthesized into reports. Many of these reports inform law enforcement agencies about patterns of crime, how enforcement has impacted established practices, and where there is more work to be completed. Other reports are for citizens, command staff, government officials, or the media. Administrative crime analysts are specialists at creating these reports from data they have analyzed or from data other crime analysts have examined.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Crime Analyst?
The short answer is it varies. A typical criminal analyst can enter this career with four to six years of education and work experience after graduating from high school.
However, some aspiring crime analysts can begin their careers with as little as an associate’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. However, these entry-level roles are rare, and many may require work experience. Most crime analysts earn at least a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. However, crime analysts must have work or volunteer experience in criminal justice or law enforcement to be competitive in securing a job in this field.
Steps to Becoming a Crime Analyst
There are several paths crime analysts can take to enter this field. Here is one of the most common paths:
Step 1: Graduate from High School (Four Years)
Completing high school is the first step toward becoming a crime analyst. Students should endeavor to do well in all classes, as a strong GPA may be required for admission to competitive undergraduate criminal justice programs. Courses that can give students a head start include statistics, biology, and psychology. Students can also work to gain work or volunteer experience in local law enforcement through community programs or part-time employment.
Step 2: Get a Degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Sociology, or a Related Discipline (Two to Four Years)
Crime analysts can earn either a certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, or related field. Other degrees for professionals in this field can include statistics, public administration, or psychology. Gaining work experience in law enforcement while in college is critical, as many employers require applicants to have already worked in the field in some capacity. Students can fill many part-time civilian roles in law enforcement, including entry-level criminal analyst jobs. Some programs offer student certification upon completion of their program.
For example, the California Department of Justice has partnered with the California University system to offer certificate programs at California State University, Fullerton, the University of California, Riverside, Pierce College, and California State University, Sacramento. Graduates of these programs are certified by the Law Enforcement Intelligence Units (LEIU) and are ready to step into crime analyst roles across the state. Most of these programs can be completed in 12 to 18 months.
Courses that criminal analyst students must complete provide a solid foundation in criminal analysis theory, research theories, criminal behavior, and intelligence analysis. This program also emphasizes writing and presentation skills, so analysts will have the tools to convey their conclusions.
Step 3: Obtain Certification (Optional, Timelines Varies)
Certification for crime analysts is optional, although highly recommended. Holding a certificate demonstrates to employers a high level of competency in the field and can help established professionals with career advancement.
Some programs, such as those recognized by the California Department of Justice, award certification upon program completion. Other certifications must be earned through testing.
The two primary certifications analysts earn through testing are the Certified Law Enforcement Analyst (CLEA) through the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA) and the Criminal Intelligence Certified Analyst (CICA) through the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA).
To qualify for the CLEA certification, applicants meet the following prerequisites:
- Must have at least three years of full-time experience as an analyst in the field of intelligence, law enforcement, corrections, or related fields
- Must have earned a minimum of 100 points in combined work and educational experience
- Must be current members of the International Association of Crime Analysts.
In order to pass the exam, applicants must receive a score of 70 percent.
To qualify for the CICA certification, applicants must:
- Be members of IALEIA in good standing
- Hold a certificate of completion from a qualifying intelligence course (or current certification as a Basic Analyst)
- Be employed full-time in a criminal intelligence or analysis position
- Have either a bachelor’s degree and three years of work experience, an associate degree and five years, or no degree and seven years
- Send a completed application and a copy of their official job description
- Pass an exam with at least a 70 percent score
Keep reading for exemplary online crime analyst programs, or see our guide to Crime and Intelligence Analysis Programs.
Online Crime Analyst Programs – Degrees and Certificates
Online Associate Degree Programs
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers a fully online criminal justice associate’s degree. This associate degree explores theories, practices, and ideas related to the American judicial system and caters to students who’d like to land an entry-level position in this field as well as experienced criminology professionals who wish to upgrade their skill set.
Courses in this 60-credit program include cultural awareness in criminal justice; policing in the United States; the United States correctional system; discretion in criminal justice; research literacy in social sciences; introduction to criminal justice; and communication skills for criminal justice. Students in this program can easily transfer credits earned to the online SNHU bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice.
Graduates from this program are prepared for careers that require collecting evidence, presenting it to legal and public forms, and examining laws and regulations as they apply to public safety.
- Location: Manchester, NH
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Herkimer College (State University of New York)
Herkimer College, part of the State University of New York system, offers an online associate of applied science program in crime & intelligence analysis preparing students with the skills, critical thinking, and knowledge to succeed in a variety of private and public careers. Graduates of this program are prepared for roles such as crime analysts, intelligence analysts, and private contractors.
The program’s curriculum focuses on helping students develop analytical and research skills to be used in either an intelligence or crime analysis unit within a variety of criminal justice agencies. Made up of 63 credits, the program includes courses such as criminal substantive law; criminal procedure law; intelligence analysis; introduction to crime analysis and crime mapping; terrorism and homeland security; and introduction to criminal justice.
- Location: Herkimer, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Online Bachelors Degree Programs
University of South Carolina offers an online bachelor of science program in criminal justice with a concentration in crime analysis providing students with the basic skills required for entry-level positions as crime analysts in a state, federal, or local law enforcement agency. Students in this program are provided with a powerful set of strategies and tools for using and collecting data to inform policy decisions and identify crime patterns.
Applicants to this program must have 30 credits from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in all previous college-level coursework.
The program’s curriculum includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; policing in america; the criminal courts; introduction to corrections; criminal justice research methods; criminological theory; foundations of crime analysis; tactical crime analysis; strategic crime analysis; advanced topics in crime analysis; and criminal justice statistics.
- Location: Columbia, SC
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to four years
The State University of New York at Canton offers an online bachelor of science program in crime analysis through the college’s Center for Criminal Justice, Intelligence, and Cybersecurity (CJIC). In this major, students will learn to formulate prevention strategies and identify solutions to crime problems. Notably, courses in this program are designed to align with the NYS Crime Analysis Certification Exam.
The program combines a core concentration in crime analysis with select courses in cyber security, geographic information systems, and data analytics. Courses in this 121-credit program include crime analysis; intelligence analysis; crime and media; cyber criminology; civil liberties & homeland security; ethics in criminal justice; digital forensic analysis; law enforcement intelligence systems; and forensic evidence.
- Location: Canton, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
Online Graduate Certificate Programs
Seattle University in Seattle, Washington, offers an online graduate certificate in crime analysis that students can complete in just one year. Graduates will know how to identify patterns, make correlations, and analyze various data.
Courses in this 25-credit program include advanced criminological theory; advanced research methods in criminology and criminal justice; statistical analysis; advanced crime assessment; crime mapping; data & intelligence analysis; qualitative research methods in criminology and criminal justice; and typologies of crime and criminal behavior.
Students can choose to graduate with a professional certificate or transfer 10 credits of courses to a master’s degree in criminal justice at Seattle University.
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Expected Time to Completion: One year
Arizona State University offers an online graduate certificate in crime analysis allowing students to grow their skill set and preparing them for future careers in the public and private sector. Students in this certificate will learn about the collection and analysis of data related to criminal justice and will acquire knowledge and skills such as statistical tools in crime analysis, crime mapping, data management, and social networking.
Comprising 15 credits, the program includes courses such as seminar in crime analysis; criminal justice planning and program evaluation; applied data analysis in criminal justice; seminar in policing; and crime mapping.
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Within a year
For more information about crime analysis education, please see our Best Forensics and Criminal Justice Degrees list.
Kimmy Gustafson’s expertise and passion for investigative storytelling extends to the world of forensics, where she brings a wealth of knowledge and captivating narratives to readers seeking insights into this intriguing world. She has interviewed experts on little-known topics, such as how climate crimes are investigated and prosecuted, and has written for ForensicsColleges.com since 2019.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.