Crime scene investigator vs senior investigator

The differences between crime scene investigators and senior investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a crime scene investigator and a senior investigator. Additionally, a senior investigator has an average salary of $61,240, 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 senior investigator are senior level management, local law enforcement, and claims handling.

Crime scene investigator vs senior investigator overview

	Crime Scene Investigator	Senior Investigator
Yearly salary	$59,391	$61,240
Hourly rate	$28.55	$29.44
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	4,621	4,525
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	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 senior investigator do?

As a senior investigator, you will be responsible for managing investigations for crimes, including corruption, organized crime, and fraud. You will work closely with the district attorney and law enforcement to investigate and solve these crimes. This role will require you to perform other additional duties, including collecting DNA samples from the crime scene, suspects and victims, organizing live training on risk, compliance, and ethics, and testifying in criminal and civil courts, civil service hearings, and ethics commission.

Crime scene investigator vs senior investigator salary

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Senior Investigator
Average salary	$59,391	$61,240
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $113,000	Between $35,000 And $105,000
Highest paying City	-	Frederick, MD
Highest paying state	-	Maryland
Best paying company	-	DLA Piper
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between crime scene investigator and senior investigator education

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Senior Investigator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Crime scene investigator vs senior investigator demographics

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

	Crime Scene Investigator	Senior Investigator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%	Male, 65.4% Female, 34.6%
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, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between crime scene investigator and senior 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.

Senior investigator example responsibilities.

Investigate allegations of suspect FWA / prioritize and manage case load / maintain comprehensive case files.
Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
Create budget friendly evidence collection boxes for investigations and patrol officers.
Send specimens to laboratory to obtain DNA.
Participate on committees and teams supporting GMP compliance programs.
Collect possible DNA samples from the scene, victims, and suspects.

Crime scene investigator vs senior 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 senior investigator skills

Senior Level Management, 13%
Local Law Enforcement, 9%
Claims Handling, 8%
Court Proceedings, 8%
Data Analysis, 4%
Management System, 3%

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Crime Scene Investigator
Crime Scene Investigator vs Senior Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

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