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Detective vs crime scene investigator

The differences between detectives 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 $57,984 average annual salary of a detective.

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

Detective vs crime scene investigator overview

DetectiveCrime Scene Investigator
Yearly salary$57,984$59,391
Hourly rate$27.88$28.55
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs56,5214,621
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4444
Years of experience-2

What does a detective do?

A detective is responsible for conducting in-depth investigations for criminal activities, potential threats, and other law-violating incidents, coordinating closely with law-enforcement agencies and crime intelligence analysts. Detectives often work on the field, gathering data and related evidence to support claims and connect the timeline of events. They keep an organized record of their findings for further validation before reporting it to the authority. A detective must have excellent investigative and critical-thinking skills, especially on solving puzzles and security solutions.

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.

Detective vs crime scene investigator salary

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

DetectiveCrime Scene Investigator
Average salary$57,984$59,391
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $95,000Between $30,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between detective and crime scene investigator education

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

DetectiveCrime Scene Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeUniversity of Arizona-

Detective vs crime scene investigator demographics

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

DetectiveCrime Scene Investigator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 82.7% Female, 17.3%Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 16.7% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between detective and crime scene investigator duties and responsibilities

Detective example responsibilities.

  • Manage all ABC issues and applications for liquor licenses.
  • Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
  • Monitor wire taps and conduct detailed surveillance of wire tap targets and associates.
  • Sole provider of data gathering from TIGTA's complaint management system and the IRS for biweekly phishing scam reports.
  • Connect GPS devices/recorder/audio/video by hard wiring to vehicle power for longer operations.
  • Optimize critical security of dignitaries by proficiently conducting foot and vehicle patrol of concentration areas.
    • 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.

Detective vs crime scene investigator skills

Common detective skills
  • Physical Evidence, 15%
  • Patrol, 13%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 8%
  • Crime Scenes, 5%
  • Insurance Fraud, 5%
  • Public Safety, 5%
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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