Forensic computer examiner vs crime scene specialist

The differences between forensic computer examiners and crime scene specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a forensic computer examiner and a crime scene specialist. Additionally, a forensic computer examiner has an average salary of $66,393, which is higher than the $58,467 average annual salary of a crime scene specialist.

The top three skills for a forensic computer examiner include digital forensics, extraction and FTK. The most important skills for a crime scene specialist are physical evidence, evidence collection, and patrol.

Forensic computer examiner vs crime scene specialist overview

	Forensic Computer Examiner	Crime Scene Specialist
Yearly salary	$66,393	$58,467
Hourly rate	$31.92	$28.11
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	16,108	283
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Forensic computer examiner vs crime scene specialist salary

Forensic computer examiners and crime scene specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Forensic Computer Examiner	Crime Scene Specialist
Average salary	$66,393	$58,467
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $94,000	Between $36,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Booz Allen Hamilton	-
Best paying industry	Insurance	-

Differences between forensic computer examiner and crime scene specialist education

There are a few differences between a forensic computer examiner and a crime scene specialist in terms of educational background:

	Forensic Computer Examiner	Crime Scene Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	California State University - Bakersfield

Forensic computer examiner vs crime scene specialist demographics

Here are the differences between forensic computer examiners' and crime scene specialists' demographics:

	Forensic Computer Examiner	Crime Scene Specialist
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%	Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between forensic computer examiner and crime scene specialist duties and responsibilities

Forensic computer examiner example responsibilities.

Provide polygraph screening to members of the intelligence community (CIA, NRO, NGA, DOD, etc).
Access password protect and secure files.
Collect DNA samples for lab testing.
Prevent imminent disconnection of DoD network to U.S.
Use of LIMS during all aspects of laboratory analysis.
Use chemical reagents to stand out mutilate serial numbers on firearms.

Crime scene specialist example responsibilities.

Manage customer information in customer management systems CIV.
Collect evidence using various collection and detection methods including photography, ALS and chemical processing.
Serve as firstresponder for accidents and disasters, applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other life- saving procedures as needed.

Forensic computer examiner vs crime scene specialist skills

Common forensic computer examiner skills

Digital Forensics, 12%
Extraction, 10%
FTK, 9%
Computer Forensics, 7%
DOD, 7%
Forensic Analysis, 7%

Common crime scene specialist skills

Physical Evidence, 46%
Evidence Collection, 13%
Patrol, 12%
Latent Prints, 5%
Diagramming, 5%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 4%

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Forensic Computer Examiner
Forensic Computer Examiner vs Crime Scene Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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