Crime scene investigator vs criminalist

The differences between crime scene investigators and criminalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a crime scene investigator, becoming a criminalist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a criminalist has an average salary of $68,152, which is higher than the $59,391 average annual salary of a crime scene investigator.

The top three skills for a crime scene investigator include physical evidence, criminal justice and law enforcement agencies. The most important skills for a criminalist are physical evidence, laboratory reports, and body fluids.

Crime scene investigator vs criminalist overview

	Crime Scene Investigator	Criminalist
Yearly salary	$59,391	$68,152
Hourly rate	$28.55	$32.77
Growth rate	3%	11%
Number of jobs	4,621	14,872
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	44	38
Years of experience	2	4

What does a crime scene investigator do?

A crime scene investigator uses specialized equipment and processes to examine crime scenes physically and visually. Scene investigators may be given authority to gather materials and evidence to solve crimes. They assist the detectives to solve crimes as they sort details and evidence so prosecutors in case building. Their job also includes fingerprint lifting and collecting. Also, they collect and document trace DNA evidence.

What does a criminalist do?

A criminalist works in the forensic science or law enforcement field. Their duties depend upon the agency or place they work for, but they are often responsible for conducting crime investigations, studying crime scenes, gathering and examining evidence, processing evidence, and coordinating with investigators. They must also prepare and process documents, present detailed results and reports to investigators, and sometimes testify in court.

Crime scene investigator vs criminalist salary

Crime scene investigators and criminalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Crime Scene Investigator	Criminalist
Average salary	$59,391	$68,152
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $113,000	Between $36,000 And $127,000
Highest paying City	-	San Mateo, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	City of Los Angeles
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between crime scene investigator and criminalist education

There are a few differences between a crime scene investigator and a criminalist in terms of educational background:

	Crime Scene Investigator	Criminalist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Chemistry
Most common college	-	California State University - Bakersfield

Crime scene investigator vs criminalist demographics

Here are the differences between crime scene investigators' and criminalists' demographics:

	Crime Scene Investigator	Criminalist
Average age	44	38
Gender ratio	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%	Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	9%	8%

Differences between crime scene investigator and criminalist duties and responsibilities

Crime scene investigator example responsibilities.

Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
Investigate and open cases on customers and non-customers who have potentially engage in activity which goes against federally mandate BSA/AML regulations.
Review wire transfers and apply regulatory reporting and banking requirements to ensure compliance with BSA/AML and OFAC rules and regulations.
Conduct OFAC alert investigation using global standard policies, procedures and tools aim at meeting internal and external regulatory requirements.
Serve as firstresponder for accidents and disasters, applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other life- saving procedures as needed.

Criminalist example responsibilities.

Perform bone processing and DNA extraction from human remains.
Perform restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and PCR analysis.
Perform preventive maintenance on GC instruments and maintain preventive maintenance records in binders and LIMS.
Analyze controlled and non-control drugs using FTIR, GC/MS, GC/FID, and HPLC methods.
Analyze samples for the presence or absence of control substances using GC-MS, FTIR, microscopy and other chemical tests.
Develop a computerize firearms inspection worksheet that provide a print inspection report and create a firearms database.

Show more

Crime scene investigator vs criminalist skills

Common crime scene investigator skills

Physical Evidence, 17%
Criminal Justice, 10%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 8%
Laboratory Analysis, 5%
Patrol, 5%
AML, 4%

Common criminalist skills

Physical Evidence, 18%
Laboratory Reports, 7%
Body Fluids, 7%
Quantitative Analysis, 5%
Perform DNA, 5%
Proficiency Testing, 4%

Crime Scene Investigator vs. similar jobs

Crime Scene Investigator related careers

Crime Scene Investigator related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse protective service jobs

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z