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The differences between special investigation unit investigators and detectives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a detective has an average salary of $57,984, which is higher than the $49,213 average annual salary of a special investigation unit investigator.
The top three skills for a special investigation unit investigator include management system, BSA/AML and fincen. The most important skills for a detective are physical evidence, patrol, and law enforcement agencies.
A special investigation unit investigator works at an insurance company to detect and thwart fraudulent claims and activities. To carry out their duties, they must coordinate with staff to gather and analyze client information, perform research and analysis, travel to different sites to observe and investigate, and conduct interviews as needed. They may also investigate employees, examine their actions and information. Moreover, a special investigation unit investigator must maintain an active communication line with staff for an efficient and smooth workflow.
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.
Special investigation unit investigators and detectives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Investigation Unit Investigator | Detective | |
| Average salary | $49,213 | $57,984 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $74,000 | Between $35,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a special investigation unit investigator and a detective in terms of educational background:
| Special Investigation Unit Investigator | Detective | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | - | University of Arizona |
Here are the differences between special investigation unit investigators' and detectives' demographics:
| Special Investigation Unit Investigator | Detective | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.0% Female, 37.0% | Male, 82.7% Female, 17.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.3% 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% |