Forensic chemist vs crime scene investigator

The differences between forensic chemists 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 $56,597 average annual salary of a forensic chemist.

The top three skills for a forensic chemist include ms, GC and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a crime scene investigator are physical evidence, criminal justice, and law enforcement agencies.

Forensic chemist vs crime scene investigator overview

	Forensic Chemist	Crime Scene Investigator
Yearly salary	$56,597	$59,391
Hourly rate	$27.21	$28.55
Growth rate	6%	3%
Number of jobs	7,902	4,621
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	42	44
Years of experience	-	2

What does a forensic chemist do?

A forensic chemist analyzes non-biological trace evidence at crime scenes for the determination of unknown materials. Forensic chemists apply chemistry and its subfield forensic toxicology and employ the scientific method to investigate the presented evidence. The result of their analysis provides investigators and medical examiners the necessary information for logical conclusions on probable crimes. Patience and versatility are often cited as the important qualities forensic chemists need to acquire.

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.

Forensic chemist vs crime scene investigator salary

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

	Forensic Chemist	Crime Scene Investigator
Average salary	$56,597	$59,391
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $80,000	Between $30,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between forensic chemist and crime scene investigator education

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

	Forensic Chemist	Crime Scene Investigator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Chemistry	Criminal Justice
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	-

Forensic chemist vs crime scene investigator demographics

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

	Forensic Chemist	Crime Scene Investigator
Average age	42	44
Gender ratio	Male, 40.6% Female, 59.4%	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 18.2% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	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 Percentage	5%	9%

Differences between forensic chemist and crime scene investigator duties and responsibilities

Forensic chemist example responsibilities.

Achieve and maintain ISO 9001-2000 certification by creating and implementing policies and serving as management representative.
Input data results using a LIMS information system.
Analyze controlled substances by GC/MS and FTIR and arson residues by GC/FID.
Start to implement procedures for ISO 9000quality certification.
Update existing and develop new standard operating procedures to meet USP requirements for vitamin assays.
Perform quality testing in an FDA enforce environment for a variety of products while demonstrating good manufacturing practices.

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.

Forensic chemist vs crime scene investigator skills

Common forensic chemist skills

Ms, 12%
GC, 9%
Laboratory Equipment, 6%
FTIR, 6%
Gas Chromatography, 5%
Liquid Chromatography, 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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Forensic Chemist vs Crime Scene Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

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