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Criminalist vs fingerprint expert

The differences between criminalists and fingerprint experts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a criminalist and a fingerprint expert. Additionally, a criminalist has an average salary of $68,152, which is higher than the $45,147 average annual salary of a fingerprint expert.

Criminalist vs fingerprint expert overview

CriminalistFingerprint Expert
Yearly salary$68,152$45,147
Hourly rate$32.77$21.71
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs14,8728,327
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age3838
Years of experience44

Criminalist vs fingerprint expert salary

Criminalists and fingerprint experts have different pay scales, as shown below.

CriminalistFingerprint Expert
Average salary$68,152$45,147
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $127,000Between $24,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CitySan Mateo, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyCity of Los Angeles-
Best paying industry--

Differences between criminalist and fingerprint expert education

There are a few differences between a criminalist and a fingerprint expert in terms of educational background:

CriminalistFingerprint Expert
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorChemistryPolitical Science
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldUniversity of Washington

Criminalist vs fingerprint expert demographics

Here are the differences between criminalists' and fingerprint experts' demographics:

CriminalistFingerprint Expert
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 35.9% Female, 64.1%Male, 72.7% Female, 27.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 11.4% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between criminalist and fingerprint expert duties and responsibilities

Criminalist example responsibilities.

  • Perform bone processing and DNA extraction from human remains.
  • Perform restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and PCR analysis.
  • Perform preventive maintenance on GC instruments and maintain preventive maintenance records in binders and LIMS.
  • Analyze controlled and non-control drugs using FTIR, GC/MS, GC/FID, and HPLC methods.
  • Analyze samples for the presence or absence of control substances using GC-MS, FTIR, microscopy and other chemical tests.
  • Develop a computerize firearms inspection worksheet that provide a print inspection report and create a firearms database.
  • Show more

Fingerprint expert example responsibilities.

  • Manage transition logistics for a global vehicle financing company downsizing operations in Colorado.
  • Work cross-functionally within sales and other Facebook organizations to drive revenue and further develop the advertisers in portfolio.
  • Direct employees in the unit to switch among functions depending on the work counts within the IAFIS.

Criminalist vs fingerprint expert skills

Common criminalist skills
  • Physical Evidence, 18%
  • Laboratory Reports, 7%
  • Body Fluids, 7%
  • Quantitative Analysis, 5%
  • Perform DNA, 5%
  • Proficiency Testing, 4%
Common fingerprint expert skills

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