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Crime scene specialist vs crime scene investigator

The differences between crime scene specialists and crime scene investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a crime scene specialist, becoming a crime scene investigator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a crime scene investigator has an average salary of $59,391, which is higher than the $58,467 average annual salary of a crime scene specialist.

The top three skills for a crime scene specialist include physical evidence, evidence collection and patrol. The most important skills for a crime scene investigator are physical evidence, criminal justice, and law enforcement agencies.

Crime scene specialist vs crime scene investigator overview

Crime Scene SpecialistCrime Scene Investigator
Yearly salary$58,467$59,391
Hourly rate$28.11$28.55
Growth rate11%3%
Number of jobs2834,621
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age3844
Years of experience42

Crime scene specialist vs crime scene investigator salary

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

Crime Scene SpecialistCrime Scene Investigator
Average salary$58,467$59,391
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $92,000Between $30,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between crime scene specialist and crime scene investigator education

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

Crime Scene SpecialistCrime Scene Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Bakersfield-

Crime scene specialist vs crime scene investigator demographics

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

Crime Scene SpecialistCrime Scene Investigator
Average age3844
Gender ratioMale, 45.8% Female, 54.2%Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between crime scene specialist and crime scene investigator duties and responsibilities

Crime scene specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage customer information in customer management systems CIV.
  • Collect evidence using various collection and detection methods including photography, ALS and chemical processing.
  • Serve as firstresponder for accidents and disasters, applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other life- saving procedures as needed.

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.

Crime scene specialist vs crime scene investigator skills

Common crime scene specialist skills
  • Physical Evidence, 46%
  • Evidence Collection, 13%
  • Patrol, 12%
  • Latent Prints, 5%
  • Diagramming, 5%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 4%
Common crime scene investigator skills
  • Physical Evidence, 17%
  • Criminal Justice, 10%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 8%
  • Laboratory Analysis, 5%
  • Patrol, 5%
  • AML, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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