DCI provides investigative support and expertise to law enforcement and public safety agencies operating within Iowa and collaborates with local, state, and federal authorities in the investigation of a variety of criminal activities.

The DCI was originally founded as the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in 1921 under the direction of state attorney general Ben Gibson.

The BCI consolidated all state law enforcement officers who were appointed by the Governor and the Attorney General into one centralized agency.

The main components and associated sub-components[3] of the Division are: For purposes of field operations, DCI separates the state into four geographic zones, each of which has a staff of special agents and professional support personnel led by a special agent-in-charge.

[5] The DCI has been involved in a number of historically notable investigations, including the following: