Crime Analysts

High School

In high school, work on your writing skills. Crime analysts must be able to write for a variety of audiences, from street cops to the city council. A good foundation in algebra will help with statistics classes in college. Statistics classes are also useful. Moreover, take advantage of your school's computer lab, as basic knowledge of computers, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases is important. Psychology classes will help you to understand human behavior. Finally, take any classes (such as philosophy, government, and science) that help you to develop your critical-thinking skills, which are important for success as a crime analyst.

Postsecondary Training

The majority of agencies require a bachelor's degree for the position of crime analyst. Excellent degree paths to consider include those in statistics, criminal justice, computer science, data analytics, and sociology. A small, but growing, number of colleges and universities now offer degrees and certificates in crime analysis.

Other Education or Training

The International Association of Crime Analysts offers webinars such as Fundamentals of Crime Analysis, Crime Analysis for Smaller Jurisdictions, Tactical Crime Analysis, and Computer Applications for Crime Analysis. The International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts, American Society of Criminology, and National Criminal Justice Association also provide professional development opportunities.