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Criminal investigator vs crime scene investigator

The differences between criminal investigators and crime scene investigators 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 $54,520 average annual salary of a criminal investigator.

The top three skills for a criminal investigator include investigative reports, resourcefulness and firearms. The most important skills for a crime scene investigator are physical evidence, criminal justice, and law enforcement agencies.

Criminal investigator vs crime scene investigator overview

Criminal InvestigatorCrime Scene Investigator
Yearly salary$54,520$59,391
Hourly rate$26.21$28.55
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs5,1314,621
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4444
Years of experience-2

What does a criminal investigator do?

A criminal investigator is a law enforcement professional who endeavors to solve felony crimes. Criminal investigators may work alone or as a member of an investigative team whose goal is to uncover the certainty of a case and potentially keep suspects to prevent the ensuing criminal activity. Their tasks and responsibilities depend on various job functions and specialties. They may specialize in the information and evidence of a crime scene, conduct interviews and searches, or perform surveillance.

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.

Criminal investigator vs crime scene investigator salary

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

Criminal InvestigatorCrime Scene Investigator
Average salary$54,520$59,391
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $85,000Between $30,000 And $113,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DC-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyNational Railroad Passenger Corporation-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between criminal investigator and crime scene investigator education

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

Criminal InvestigatorCrime Scene Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Criminal investigator vs crime scene investigator demographics

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

Criminal InvestigatorCrime Scene Investigator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 79.7% Female, 20.3%Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between criminal investigator and crime scene investigator duties and responsibilities

Criminal investigator example responsibilities.

  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
  • Close accounts and file SAR's with FinCEN as warranted.
  • Write suspicious activity reports (SAR).
  • Follow up on sub reviews and documentation require information for FinCEN reporting.
  • Coordinate and conduct firearms training.
  • Examine discovery, prepare subpoenas, and review pertinent documents.
    • Show more

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.

Criminal investigator vs crime scene investigator skills

Common criminal investigator skills
  • Investigative Reports, 13%
  • Resourcefulness, 11%
  • Firearms, 11%
  • Treasury, 9%
  • Investigative Techniques, 8%
  • IRS, 6%
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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