Despite television's portrayal of the criminal investigation, special agents don't spend all their time working in dark, secluded warehouses looking for alien encounters or conspiracy theories. In reality, a special agent in Iowa may spend much of his/her time on the computer tracking down incriminating evidence to convict criminals. New agents often join the agency after successful careers in other occupations. They might be former law officers or certified public accountants.
Sometimes, the job requires this special agent to deploy into the field for interviews, stakeouts or even to assist arrests. Many of the investigations deal with the transportation and sale of drugs as well as money transactions that result from such criminal acts. Unfortunately, it is also a job where he must be skilled in self-defense and arms handling. He may not use these skills daily, but certain situations may call for him to make split-second life and death decisions.
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