2 answers
Lakiriaha
Student
Miami Gardens, Florida
9
Questions
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Can someone tells me the difference between a detective and a criminal investigator?
I want to know the different requirements of both of these career choices. Is the requirements the same or different? #Knowledge #career-guidance
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2 answers
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1662
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
A lot of this terminology depends on the agencies. We have "DI's" -which are detective-investigators, in our police department. They work up a case and hand it over to the District Attorney's office to be prosecuted. Sometimes the DA's office has Criminal Investigators who do additional work on the case before it goes to trial.
You could also have a position in a police department known as a Criminal Investigator. It all just sort of depends. Here, our DI's are entry-level investigators. They are the first position above patrol. There are investigators higher up. For example, each unit has its own team. Homicide has sergeants and a lieutenant. They are all investigators, all working on solving cases. So, sometimes Investigator is a rank, (such as DI), and sometimes it's a job title. Sorry this is so confusing!
Just to confuse you more, we also have civilian "evidence technicians." They collect the evidence the DI's tell them to, in the proper way.
You could also have a position in a police department known as a Criminal Investigator. It all just sort of depends. Here, our DI's are entry-level investigators. They are the first position above patrol. There are investigators higher up. For example, each unit has its own team. Homicide has sergeants and a lieutenant. They are all investigators, all working on solving cases. So, sometimes Investigator is a rank, (such as DI), and sometimes it's a job title. Sorry this is so confusing!
Just to confuse you more, we also have civilian "evidence technicians." They collect the evidence the DI's tell them to, in the proper way.
Wayne Archibald
Cybersecurity Associate Director here to share knowledge!
210
Answers
Silver Spring, Maryland
Updated
Wayne’s Answer
Hi Lakiriaha,
Detective refers to someone who investigates crime who is directly tied to law enforcement. A detective is a high ranking police officer, and they often take the lead on trying to gather evidence and solve cases but they must work within the confines of the law and of whatever department they are in.
A private investigator in many ways is reflective of a detective but without the same restrictions. In fact, the two jobs require so many of the same skills that often times someone retiring or quitting the force who was a detective actually becomes a private investigator. This is a very conventional shift which is why it happens so often. The main difference is that private investigators are often looking for information and do not need to have a warrant or work within conventional legal means to gather the necessary information.
There is more information about average salary, education needed, skills needed, etc at this URL -- https://datausa.io/profile/soc/detectives-criminal-investigators
Good luck!
Detective refers to someone who investigates crime who is directly tied to law enforcement. A detective is a high ranking police officer, and they often take the lead on trying to gather evidence and solve cases but they must work within the confines of the law and of whatever department they are in.
A private investigator in many ways is reflective of a detective but without the same restrictions. In fact, the two jobs require so many of the same skills that often times someone retiring or quitting the force who was a detective actually becomes a private investigator. This is a very conventional shift which is why it happens so often. The main difference is that private investigators are often looking for information and do not need to have a warrant or work within conventional legal means to gather the necessary information.
There is more information about average salary, education needed, skills needed, etc at this URL -- https://datausa.io/profile/soc/detectives-criminal-investigators
Good luck!