Crime scene investigator vs officer

The differences between crime scene investigators and 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 $52,506 average annual salary of an officer.

The top three skills for a crime scene investigator include physical evidence, criminal justice and law enforcement agencies. The most important skills for an officer are patrol, customer service, and public safety.

Crime scene investigator vs officer overview

	Crime Scene Investigator	Officer
Yearly salary	$59,391	$52,506
Hourly rate	$28.55	$25.24
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	4,621	114,267
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	44	43
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 an officer do?

An officer is responsible for managing the daily operations of the assigned area, ensuring its peace and security by monitoring and reporting unusual and suspicious activities. Officers are the ones enforcing strict safety protocols and procedures to maintain the order within the premises. They also coordinate with law enforcement agencies in conducting appropriate investigations for any violating cases. An officer must be highly-knowledgeable of the law policies, as well as possessing excellent leadership skills to manage the members under the officer's patrol.

Crime scene investigator vs officer salary

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Officer
Average salary	$59,391	$52,506
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $113,000	Between $26,000 And $103,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Meta
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between crime scene investigator and officer education

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Officer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Crime scene investigator vs officer demographics

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Officer
Average age	44	43
Gender ratio	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%	Male, 63.9% Female, 36.1%
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, 15.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	9%	6%

Differences between crime scene investigator and 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.

Officer example responsibilities.

Lead 50 2nd lieutenants, manage schedules, and ensure timely completion of missions.
Achieve highest ranking of Lt.
Manage social media (Facebook): upload pictures, post announcements/news, update information.
Manage base active duty populations' compliance with USAF instructions regarding proper balance of fitness level and body fat percentage.
Manage training for CBRN response operations including detection and decontamination equipment.
Manage environmental safety occupational health compliance program, full spectrum threat response and anti terrorism programs.

Show more

Crime scene investigator vs 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 officer skills

Patrol, 19%
Customer Service, 18%
Public Safety, 10%
Emergency Situations, 6%
PowerPoint, 3%
CPR, 3%

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