Can you provide an instance of a case where you had to be innovative to uncover fresh evidence or leads?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Answer Example

As a detective, there are several strategies you may use to uncover fresh evidence or leads. You may try piecing together existing evidence in new and creative ways or collaborating with other departments or agencies to gain fresh perspectives on the case. Ultimately, success in your line of work often requires persistence, creativity, and a willingness to think outside the box. The interviewer is interested in your approach to see if you have the skills, creativity, and mindset they are looking for in their next detective.

This question is designed to assess your problem-solving skills and creativity. Detectives often encounter complex cases that require innovative thinking and non-traditional approaches. In your role, it's essential to be open-minded and willing to try new methods when solving cases, as unconventional solutions can be the key to cracking a case. Looking for patterns or connections that others may have overlooked is one way to approach a problem with an unconventional solution. You can also use technology to aid in your investigations, such as using social media to track down suspects or using advanced forensic techniques to analyze evidence. To gain insight into the behavior of potential suspects, you may also employ tactics like undercover work or psychological profiling.

Thinking outside the box and coming up with unique solutions can be a valuable asset in this field. Therefore, it's important to have some examples of times when a problem was solved in a creative and unconventional way.

"Yes, I have a recent example to share. As a detective, I believe it is crucial to approach each case with an open mind and a willingness to think outside the box. One creative solution I used to solve this particular crime was to analyze the victim's social media for clues and information. I uncovered a connection to the crime by carefully examining their social media activity. I noticed an unusual vehicle in the reflection of the victim's sunglasses on one of her posts and could make out the license plate. After following up with the license plate, I got a suspect's name, ultimately leading to an arrest and conviction of the crime."

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How to Answer: Can you provide an instance of a case where you had to be innovative to uncover fresh evidence or leads?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Detective job interview.

9. Can you provide an instance of a case where you had to be innovative to uncover fresh evidence or leads?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

As a detective, there are several strategies you may use to uncover fresh evidence or leads. You may try piecing together existing evidence in new and creative ways or collaborating with other departments or agencies to gain fresh perspectives on the case. Ultimately, success in your line of work often requires persistence, creativity, and a willingness to think outside the box. The interviewer is interested in your approach to see if you have the skills, creativity, and mindset they are looking for in their next detective.

This question is designed to assess your problem-solving skills and creativity. Detectives often encounter complex cases that require innovative thinking and non-traditional approaches. In your role, it's essential to be open-minded and willing to try new methods when solving cases, as unconventional solutions can be the key to cracking a case. Looking for patterns or connections that others may have overlooked is one way to approach a problem with an unconventional solution. You can also use technology to aid in your investigations, such as using social media to track down suspects or using advanced forensic techniques to analyze evidence. To gain insight into the behavior of potential suspects, you may also employ tactics like undercover work or psychological profiling.

Thinking outside the box and coming up with unique solutions can be a valuable asset in this field. Therefore, it's important to have some examples of times when a problem was solved in a creative and unconventional way.

Written by Samantha Brown on October 28th, 2023

Answer Example

"Yes, I have a recent example to share. As a detective, I believe it is crucial to approach each case with an open mind and a willingness to think outside the box. One creative solution I used to solve this particular crime was to analyze the victim's social media for clues and information. I uncovered a connection to the crime by carefully examining their social media activity. I noticed an unusual vehicle in the reflection of the victim's sunglasses on one of her posts and could make out the license plate. After following up with the license plate, I got a suspect's name, ultimately leading to an arrest and conviction of the crime."

Written by Krista Wenz on September 29th, 2023

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