Crime scene investigator vs intelligence analyst

The differences between crime scene investigators and intelligence analysts 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 an intelligence analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an intelligence analyst has an average salary of $77,752, 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 an intelligence analyst are government agencies, national security, and ISR.

Crime scene investigator vs intelligence analyst overview

	Crime Scene Investigator	Intelligence Analyst
Yearly salary	$59,391	$77,752
Hourly rate	$28.55	$37.38
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	4,621	21,390
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age	44	44
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 an intelligence analyst do?

An intelligence analyst is responsible for collecting information from various sources, including security databases, law surveillance networks, past intelligence reports, geographic and mapping tools, and communication records to locate threats and prevent crime and terrorist activities. Intelligence analysts work with different national organizations to gather information on related criminal activities and determine patterns and support investigations. An intelligence analyst must be highly critical and analytical to connect data and capture enemies to ensure the public's safety and security.

Crime scene investigator vs intelligence analyst salary

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Intelligence Analyst
Average salary	$59,391	$77,752
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $113,000	Between $57,000 And $106,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Meta
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between crime scene investigator and intelligence analyst education

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Intelligence Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	York College of Pennsylvania

Crime scene investigator vs intelligence analyst demographics

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Intelligence Analyst
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%	Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1%
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, 12.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between crime scene investigator and intelligence analyst 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.

Intelligence analyst example responsibilities.

Collaborate with the ITC and J2 to offer new ideas to accomplish overall mission successes.
Lead development team integrating this pivotal crew position into the AF DCGS weapon system construct.
Recruit best-in-class suppliers, utilizing the RFP process and negotiate contracts to achieve cost improvements while meeting stake-holder needs.
Develop, coordinate, and manage OSINT products by using a team of local-national subject matter experts throughout the AO.
Lead RFx process gathering functional requirements, identifying potential suppliers, and executing bidding, evaluation, and supplier selection.
Communicate with higher level echelons to distribute and manage non-organic ISR assets.

Crime scene investigator vs intelligence analyst skills

Common crime scene investigator skills

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

Common intelligence analyst skills

Government Agencies, 8%
National Security, 8%
ISR, 6%
Combat, 6%
Intelligence Analysis, 5%
Intelligence Community, 5%

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Crime Scene Investigator vs Intelligence Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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