Crime scene investigator vs investigator

The differences between crime scene investigators and investigators 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 investigator takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an investigator has an average salary of $71,406, 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 investigator are law enforcement agencies, management system, and customer service.

Crime scene investigator vs investigator overview

	Crime Scene Investigator	Investigator
Yearly salary	$59,391	$71,406
Hourly rate	$28.55	$34.33
Growth rate	3%	6%
Number of jobs	4,621	5,085
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	6

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 investigator do?

Criminal investigators play an essential role in criminal justice and law enforcement. Their job entails solving open cases that may take them weeks or even months to accomplish. Collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and arresting suspects are among their many tasks. They work at every level of criminal justice and law enforcement. For criminal investigators to succeed in their profession, they should have sound judgment, strong communication skills, ethical standards, physical fitness, and empathy. They also benefit from strong job prospects, in addition to an exciting and rewarding job.

Crime scene investigator vs investigator salary

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Investigator
Average salary	$59,391	$71,406
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $113,000	Between $42,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Apple
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between crime scene investigator and investigator education

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

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

Crime scene investigator vs investigator demographics

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Investigator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%	Male, 56.6% Female, 43.4%
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, 13.5% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 4.7% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	8%

Differences between crime scene investigator and investigator 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.

Investigator example responsibilities.

Participate in and lead the controlled purchase of illegal narcotics and firearms to apprehend suspects.
Manage all business reporting to include; payroll, taxes, client billing, account reconciliations and compliance reports.
Manage corporate-wide document production relative to complex litigation cases.
Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
Collaborate with federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF and IRS.
Write a detail case report, and attach all supporting documentation necessary to write up SAR's where necessary per BSA.

Crime scene investigator vs investigator skills

Common crime scene investigator skills

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

Common investigator skills

Law Enforcement Agencies, 7%
Management System, 6%
Customer Service, 5%
Criminal Justice, 5%
Senior Level Management, 4%
Child Abuse, 4%

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Crime Scene Investigator
Crime Scene Investigator vs Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

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