Is an investigator a detective?

No, an investigator is not a detective. Although they have similar responsibilities and may perform similar duties, investigators have more freedom in who they work for and what kind of cases they take on. In contrast, a detective generally works for law enforcement and handles criminal cases.

Though it's true that they also have similar educational backgrounds, such as typically having a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or law enforcement, the ultimate difference is that investigators can handle criminal or civil cases for agencies, businesses, or private individuals. They can specialize in specific topics like fraud or insurance to help with their credibility as an investigator. A detective will be mainly focused on law enforcement.