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Forensic specialist vs crime scene specialist

The differences between forensic specialists 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 specialist and a crime scene specialist. Additionally, a crime scene specialist has an average salary of $58,467, which is higher than the $51,653 average annual salary of a forensic specialist.

The top three skills for a forensic specialist include social work, encase and criminal justice. The most important skills for a crime scene specialist are physical evidence, evidence collection, and patrol.

Forensic specialist vs crime scene specialist overview

Forensic SpecialistCrime Scene Specialist
Yearly salary$51,653$58,467
Hourly rate$24.83$28.11
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs1,338283
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age3838
Years of experience44

Forensic specialist vs crime scene specialist salary

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

Forensic SpecialistCrime Scene Specialist
Average salary$51,653$58,467
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $79,000Between $36,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CitySanta Monica, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyQED Group-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between forensic specialist and crime scene specialist education

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

Forensic SpecialistCrime Scene Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeStanford UniversityCalifornia State University - Bakersfield

Forensic specialist vs crime scene specialist demographics

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

Forensic SpecialistCrime Scene Specialist
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 49.1% Female, 50.9%Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.1% White, 56.3% 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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between forensic specialist and crime scene specialist duties and responsibilities

Forensic specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage use and maintenance of company vehicle, surveying equip., cameras, and firearms.
  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Secure and track any DNA evidence submit for testing.
  • Examine evidence for the presence of biological material and collect potential DNA samples.
  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Assess for risk of suicide, homicide, psychosis and other safety concerns.
    • Show more

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 specialist vs crime scene specialist skills

Common forensic specialist skills
  • Social Work, 10%
  • Encase, 8%
  • Criminal Justice, 8%
  • Mental Health, 6%
  • Digital Forensics, 5%
  • Forensic Interviews, 5%
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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Updated January 8, 2025

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