Crime specialist vs computer forensics technician

The differences between crime specialists and computer forensics technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a crime specialist and a computer forensics technician. Additionally, a computer forensics technician has an average salary of $50,698, which is higher than the $35,227 average annual salary of a crime specialist.

The top three skills for a crime specialist include criminal justice, anti-money laundering and secrecy. The most important skills for a computer forensics technician are extraction, physical evidence, and digital evidence.

Crime specialist vs computer forensics technician overview

	Crime Specialist	Computer Forensics Technician
Yearly salary	$35,227	$50,698
Hourly rate	$16.94	$24.37
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	1,239	19,018
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

What does a crime specialist do?

The duties of a Crime Specialist usually depend on their place of employment. Their responsibilities include visiting crime scenes, gathering and analyzing pieces of evidence, conducting interviews with witnesses, utilizing forensic equipment and techniques, taking photographs or videos, and preparing reports and other paperwork. They may also attend court hearings, provide insights, and train new members of the workforce. Crime Specialists work together with law enforcement, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

What does a computer forensics technician do?

A Computer Forensics Technician investigates cases from a digital perspective. They specialize in gathering and analyzing digital evidence from devices such as computers, flash drives, cell phones, tablets, and other technologies. There are also instances where they use special software and tools, recover or retrieve files, and unseal documents while adhering to government laws and regulations. When it comes to employment, they may work for government agencies, law enforcement, or even private investigators.

Crime specialist vs computer forensics technician salary

Crime specialists and computer forensics technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Crime Specialist	Computer Forensics Technician
Average salary	$35,227	$50,698
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $47,000	Between $39,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	Salt Lake City, UT	Lincoln, NE
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Collabera	Los Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industry	Finance	Government

Differences between crime specialist and computer forensics technician education

There are a few differences between a crime specialist and a computer forensics technician in terms of educational background:

	Crime Specialist	Computer Forensics Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	Stanford University	California State University - Bakersfield

Crime specialist vs computer forensics technician demographics

Here are the differences between crime specialists' and computer forensics technicians' demographics:

	Crime Specialist	Computer Forensics Technician
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 35.1% Female, 64.9%	Male, 47.1% Female, 52.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between crime specialist and computer forensics technician duties and responsibilities

Crime specialist example responsibilities.

Manage customer information in customer management systems CIV.
Lead major initiatives in 3concurrent roles successfully manage affluent personal and business portfolio to proactively cross-sell additional products and services.
Perform general account handling functions such as close account determination, holds, restraints, among other job responsibilities.
Navigate multiple systems for information to perform general account handling functions, such as closing accounts, holds, and restraints.
Update the organization about the current AML relate industry standards, procedures, and practices
Used decision making skills to process claims for debit card/ATM and ACH fraud claims.

Computer forensics technician example responsibilities.

Set up and manage all Linux labs campus-wide.
Identify, collect, preserve and impound evidence including developing fingerprints and/or footprints and collecting DNA and stain evidence.
Train employees and subcontractors on the use, maintenance and troubleshooting of genetic analysis and real-time PCR system instrumentation and software.
Compose comprehensive DNA analysis reports.
Increase customer satisfaction by validating a more sensitive extraction method which produce more informative results.
Serve statements of claims, subpoenas, summonses, jury summonses, orders to pay alimony, and other court orders.

Crime specialist vs computer forensics technician skills

Common crime specialist skills

Criminal Justice, 7%
Anti-Money Laundering, 7%
Secrecy, 6%
Bank Secrecy Act, 6%
AML, 6%
Direct Communication, 4%

Common computer forensics technician skills

Extraction, 21%
Physical Evidence, 12%
Digital Evidence, 11%
Laboratory Equipment, 8%
Maintenance Logs, 8%
Immunoassay, 5%

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Crime Specialist vs Computer Forensics Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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