What does a case investigator do?
Case investigator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real case investigator resumes:
- Analyze alerts identify in the internal wire system and AML monitoring system queue.
- Prepare necessary documentation for IRB/ FDA submission, budgets for upcoming studies, and assist in protocol preparation.
- Conduct complex anti-money laundering (AML) case investigations throughout different lines of business, including correspondent banking.
- Request medical records and other important documentation from clients in preparation for litigation.
- Research information for class action securities, insurance, products liability, and shareholder derivatives litigation.
- Investigate and open cases on customers and non-customers who have potentially engage in activity which goes against federally mandate BSA/AML regulations.
- Evaluate impressions for AFIS (automate fingerprint identification system) potential.
Case investigator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 74% of Case Investigators are proficient in Management System, Litigation, and Background Investigations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Empathy, Good judgment, and Leadership skills.
We break down the percentage of Case Investigators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Management System, 74%
Documented and reported investigation findings in the Case Management System and prepared reports to management as required.
- Litigation, 5%
Researched information for class action securities, insurance, products liability, and shareholder derivatives litigation.
- Background Investigations, 5%
Processed information furnished by defendants after performing comprehensive criminal background investigations, criminal record checks, and verification of information.
- Law Enforcement Agencies, 4%
Collaborate with various law enforcement agencies and court services in the gathering and sharing of pertinent information for court functions.
- SAR, 2%
Draft reports with recommendations to the Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) team.
- BSA, 1%
Monitored an internal report for potential BSA related money laundering and other suspicious activity.
Common skills that a case investigator uses to do their job include "management system," "litigation," and "background investigations." You can find details on the most important case investigator responsibilities below.
Empathy. The most essential soft skill for a case investigator to carry out their responsibilities is empathy. This skill is important for the role because "police officers need to understand the perspectives of a variety of people in their jurisdiction and be willing to help the public." Additionally, a case investigator resume shows how their duties depend on empathy: "developed understanding of complex medicaid rules as they pertained to requirements of eligible providers and recipients of medicaid. "
Good judgment. Another essential skill to perform case investigator duties is good judgment. Case investigators responsibilities require that "police and detectives must be able to determine the best way to solve an array of problems." Case investigators also use good judgment in their role according to a real resume snippet: "used professional judgment to recommend customer retention or termination for customers with multiple sar filings. "
Leadership skills. This is an important skill for case investigators to perform their duties. For an example of how case investigator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "police officers must be comfortable with being a highly visible member of their community, as the public looks to them for help in emergencies." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a case investigator: "accomplished in research, writing, customer service, communications and marketing, and leadership. ".
Physical strength. For certain case investigator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a case investigator rely on this skill, as "police officers must be strong enough to physically apprehend suspects and to assist people in precarious situations." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what case investigators do: "obtained records and physical evidence, by authorization or subpoena, from record custodians across the country. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for case investigator responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of case investigators all the time, as "police and detectives must be able to speak with people and to express details in writing about an incident." An excerpt from a real case investigator resume shows how this skill is central to what a case investigator does: "presented briefings, managed communications and coordinated resources with multiple law enforcement agencies and investigative units. "
The three companies that hire the most case investigators are:
- CDC Foundation1 case investigators jobs
- Cmt Association, Inc.1 case investigators jobs
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute1 case investigators jobs
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Compare different case investigators
Case investigator vs. Supervisory special agent
A supervisory special agent leads teams of special agents in investigations. His/Her or her duties include delegating assignments, performing field interviews, examining suspects' financial records, and monitoring wiretaps. Supervisory special agents should have good judgment and possess excellent communication skills. They are often hired by industries such as government and finance. The education requirements to qualify for the position include a bachelor's or master's degree in criminal justice, business, law, or a related field.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between case investigators and supervisory special agent. For instance, case investigator responsibilities require skills such as "litigation," "sar," "business fraud," and "bsa." Whereas a supervisory special agent is skilled in "fraud investigations," "criminal investigations," "violent crimes," and "dea." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that supervisorsy special agent earn slightly differ from case investigators. In particular, supervisorsy special agent are 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a case investigator. Additionally, they're 2.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Case investigator vs. Federal air marshal
Child support officers evaluate child support cases to identify the needed financial support. The officers interview relatives and parents and review court documents, and any other records. They recommend the amount of money that parents need to provide. It is part of their job to assist efforts in establishing parents' paternity and in initiating legal action for payment collection. They take part in court hearings and recommend paternity and child support. Also, they are trained in emergency medical response to prepare them for life-threatening situations.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, case investigator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "management system," "litigation," "background investigations," and "sar." Meanwhile, a federal air marshal has duties that require skills in areas such as "federal air," "surveillance detection," "emergency situations," and "firearms proficiency." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Federal air marshals earn similar levels of education than case investigators in general. They're 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Case investigator vs. Child support officer
The duties of a marshal primarily depend on their line of work or place of employment. They typically have high positions in various areas such as in the fire department, law enforcement, and even in aviation. Although the extent of their duties varies, it typically includes enforcing law and order, responding to distress, developing action plans, spearheading programs to protect lives and properties, and maintaining peace and security in facilities. Moreover, a marshal must be proactive in dealing with issues as there can be dangers on the job.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from case investigator resumes include skills like "litigation," "background investigations," "law enforcement agencies," and "sar," whereas a child support officer is more likely to list skills in "child support orders," "paternity," "court orders," and "customer service. "
Child support officers make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $43,485. On the other hand, case investigators are paid the highest salary in the non profits industry, with average annual pay of $58,848.When it comes to education, child support officers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to case investigators. In fact, they're 3.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Case investigator vs. Marshal
Even though a few skill sets overlap between case investigators and marshals, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a case investigator might have more use for skills like "management system," "litigation," "background investigations," and "sar." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of marshals require skills like "safety standards," "cleanliness," "sales floor," and "safety procedures. "
Marshals reach lower levels of education compared to case investigators, in general. The difference is that they're 8.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of case investigator
Updated January 8, 2025
