Crime scene investigator vs forensic scientist

The differences between crime scene investigators and forensic scientists 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 forensic scientist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a forensic scientist has an average salary of $71,351, 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 forensic scientist are laboratory equipment, physical evidence, and analytical procedures.

Crime scene investigator vs forensic scientist overview

	Crime Scene Investigator	Forensic Scientist
Yearly salary	$59,391	$71,351
Hourly rate	$28.55	$34.30
Growth rate	3%	11%
Number of jobs	4,621	43,335
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 80%
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 forensic scientist do?

Forensic scientists work as experts in collecting evidence, analyzing evidence collected at crime scenes, and communicating with law enforcement. They can work as a lab manager and detective. They are responsible for ensuring that tests are performed correctly and ethically without any bias. They obtain evidence at the crime scene, making reports of the findings, examining the evidence in the lab if the evidence collected is relevant or not, and testifying in court. They report to superiors the findings of the analysis.

Crime scene investigator vs forensic scientist salary

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Forensic Scientist
Average salary	$59,391	$71,351
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $113,000	Between $45,000 And $112,000
Highest paying City	-	Lincoln, NE
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Alere
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between crime scene investigator and forensic scientist education

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Forensic Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Biology
Most common college	-	California State University - Bakersfield

Crime scene investigator vs forensic scientist demographics

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Forensic Scientist
Average age	44	38
Gender ratio	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%	Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	9%	8%

Differences between crime scene investigator and forensic scientist 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.

Forensic scientist example responsibilities.

Perform organic and robotic DNA extraction, real-time PCR, serology testing, data maintenance/analysis/comparison, documentation, and report writing.
Prepare STR products for size separation via CE on ABI [].
Extract, quantify (RT-PCR), amplify (PCR), and analyze human DNA.
Experience with GC/MS, ELISA, FPIA, HPLC/DAD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, GC/FID, GC/NPD, and LC/QQQ.
Skil in STR mixture deductions.
Maintain, calibrate and clean pipettes.

Crime scene investigator vs forensic scientist skills

Common crime scene investigator skills

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

Common forensic scientist skills

Laboratory Equipment, 11%
Physical Evidence, 10%
Analytical Procedures, 5%
Extraction, 5%
Criminal Justice, 5%
Test Results, 5%

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Crime Scene Investigator vs Forensic Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

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