Internal affairs investigator vs crime scene investigator

The differences between internal affairs investigators and crime scene investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an internal affairs investigator and a crime scene investigator. Additionally, a crime scene investigator has an average salary of $59,391, which is higher than the $54,189 average annual salary of an internal affairs investigator.

The top three skills for an internal affairs investigator include patrol, background checks and conduct interviews. The most important skills for a crime scene investigator are physical evidence, criminal justice, and law enforcement agencies.

Internal affairs investigator vs crime scene investigator overview

	Internal Affairs Investigator	Crime Scene Investigator
Yearly salary	$54,189	$59,391
Hourly rate	$26.05	$28.55
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	15,880	4,621
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

What does an internal affairs investigator do?

An internal affairs investigator is responsible for investigating an alleged violation committed by a person or company, such as misuse of funds, misconduct, corruption among company officials, or other concerns involving employees and staff. They also monitor wrongful accusations. Other duties include writing investigative data and reports, conducting interrogations and interviews with all parties involved in an accusation, and providing testimony.

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.

Internal affairs investigator vs crime scene investigator salary

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

	Internal Affairs Investigator	Crime Scene Investigator
Average salary	$54,189	$59,391
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $115,000	Between $30,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	-
Highest paying state	Maryland	-
Best paying company	Amazon	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between internal affairs investigator and crime scene investigator education

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

	Internal Affairs Investigator	Crime Scene Investigator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Internal affairs investigator vs crime scene investigator demographics

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

	Internal Affairs Investigator	Crime Scene Investigator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 72.0% Female, 28.0%	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.1% 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 Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between internal affairs investigator and crime scene investigator duties and responsibilities

Internal affairs investigator example responsibilities.

Receive multiple letters of commendation for effective investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
Deploy technical surveillance (CCTV) to protect corporate proprietary information and assets.
Used exception reports, CCTV and interview to determine loss and make decision on resolution of the case.
Testify at criminal, civil, administration, arbitration and/or deposition hearings.
Investigate and open cases on customers and non-customers who have potentially engage in activity which goes against federally mandate BSA/AML regulations.
Conduct extensive research and case file preparation for due process hearings such as pre-disciplinary conferences and arbitrations.

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.

Internal affairs investigator vs crime scene investigator skills

Common internal affairs investigator skills

Patrol, 22%
Background Checks, 10%
Conduct Interviews, 8%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 8%
Narrative Reports, 5%
Administrative Hearings, 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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Internal Affairs Investigator
Internal Affairs Investigator vs Crime Scene Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

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