Crime scene investigator vs detention officer

The differences between crime scene investigators and detention officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a crime scene investigator has an average salary of $59,391, which is higher than the $40,087 average annual salary of a detention officer.

The top three skills for a crime scene investigator include physical evidence, criminal justice and law enforcement agencies. The most important skills for a detention officer are detention facility, direct supervision, and booking.

Crime scene investigator vs detention officer overview

	Crime Scene Investigator	Detention Officer
Yearly salary	$59,391	$40,087
Hourly rate	$28.55	$19.27
Growth rate	3%	-10%
Number of jobs	4,621	116,529
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age	44	40
Years of experience	2	-

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 detention officer do?

The role of detention officers is to supervise inmates in state detention facilities. They are responsible for ensuring the safe imprisonment of detainees, managing conflict between detainees, and reporting inappropriate behavior to the warden. Other responsibilities include providing inmates the opportunity to call a lawyer or a relative, performing periodic patrol of the jail area, and supervising inmates during meals and related activities. They are also responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of personal and cell equipment and distributing medicines to inmates as directed.

Crime scene investigator vs detention officer salary

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Detention Officer
Average salary	$59,391	$40,087
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $113,000	Between $29,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Bering Straits
Best paying industry	-	Insurance

Differences between crime scene investigator and detention officer education

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Detention Officer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Crime scene investigator vs detention officer demographics

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Detention Officer
Average age	44	40
Gender ratio	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%
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, 15.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.0% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	9%	6%

Differences between crime scene investigator and detention officer 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.

Detention officer example responsibilities.

Train and manage officers of booking, procedures and computer knowledge skills and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
Manage booking area and process all non-English speaking detainees; streamline process and reduce confrontational situations through effective communication and leadership.
Maintain certification in CPR, gun qualification, and any specialize training offer.
Ensure that all require KYC documentation is on file before accounts are open.
Review and analyze KYC information on potential clients, brokerage counterparties, etc.
Perform CPR when necessary, and provide the transportation of inmates to the medical facility.

Crime scene investigator vs detention officer skills

Common crime scene investigator skills

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

Common detention officer skills

Detention Facility, 14%
Direct Supervision, 13%
Booking, 11%
Law Enforcement, 10%
CPR, 5%
Security Checks, 4%

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Crime Scene Investigator
Crime Scene Investigator vs Detention Officer

Updated January 8, 2025

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