It's easy to get confused about the differences between an investigator vs. a detective. Whether you’re immersed in a true crime podcast or seriously looking at an investigative career, you may be wondering about these roles.
You know both investigators and detectives work on cases, but what do the separate terms mean? Is there any difference? Both investigators and police detectives gather and analyze information to conduct investigations, but there are key distinctions between the two professions.
Investigator vs. detective: roles and responsibilities
“There is a big difference between the two functions [of investigators and detectives],” says Eileen Carlin M.A., Rasmussen University assistant professor with the School of Justice Studies.
An investigator is a broad category of professionals who may be involved with civil, criminal, personal or corporate endeavors. "Investigators may work for defense attorneys or prosecutors to interview witnesses and handle other tasks, but they are not to be confused with detectives," Carlin explains.
“A detective is a police officer who investigates crimes for the police department or other law enforcement agency." Carlin points out that all levels of law enforcement will have their own detective division, whether it's the municipal police or the FBI.
For more on that, check out How to Become a Criminal Investigator for the FBI.
Whenever a crime occurs, detectives are some of the first people called to the scene to assess what happened. They have wide law enforcement authority, including the right to bring in suspects, issue search warrants and make arrests. Investigators do not have this authority.
Types of police detectives
Depending on the size of the law enforcement agency, they may have detectives who specialize in solving different types of crime. For example, detectives in a homicide unit are responsible for investigating murders, suicides and suspicious deaths. From the moment they’re assigned to a case, detectives work to identify and apprehend those responsible.
Once the investigation is under way, they keep the victim’s family informed about pertinent developments. When they have all the relevant facts, they present the case to the district attorney.
Detectives may work in a specific area or for a specific "level" of law enforcement.
Narcotics unit
Narcotics unit detectives identify and prosecute those who import and/or sell controlled substances
Organized crime unit
Detectives working for an organized crime unit focus on identifying and dismantling gangs.
Special victims unit
These detectives investigate sex crimes and child abuse, advocating for victims.
Forensics unit
Forensic detectives perform chemical and physical analysis on evidence such as fingerprints, gunshot residue, hair and fibers.
Depending on the types of cases, detectives may conduct undercover operations. These covert operations involve a detective posing as someone else to gain the trust of a suspect or suspects in order to gather evidence about criminal activity.
Types of investigators
The role of investigators may vary quite a bit, depending on the type of cases they focus on.
Criminal investigators
Criminal investigators may be hired by law enforcement agencies to augment their existing investigative staff or to handle additional caseloads since more serious crimes can require significant time and resources.
In general, criminal investigators can conduct surveillance and background research, but they are not police officers, so they can’t take steps such as entering a crime scene, issuing a search warrant or seizing evidence.
However, some police departments might also call their detectives "crime scene investigators" or even "criminal investigators" which can then be a law enforcement role. This is where some of the confusion over terms can arise.
Private investigators
Private investigators are usually hired by individuals to look into legal or personal matters, such as locating a missing person or missing valuables or assessing the habits of a person of interest. For example, they may gather information to support someone in a divorce or custody case.
Corporate investigators
Corporate investigators are hired by an organization for tasks such as conducting background checks, investigating internal complaints or identifying the source of fraud or other misconduct.
Becoming a police detective
Before becoming a police detective, candidates start out as police officers. They start by attending the police academy to undergo physical endurance training, learn about ethics, local laws and other law enforcement topics, and gain hands-on weapons training.
Depending on the state, they may need a two- or four-year degree in criminal justice or a related field, as well as several years of law enforcement experience. Before being hired as a police officer, it’s common to undergo a detailed background check and sometimes a psychological evaluation.
“Usually, detectives are experienced police officers who started out working patrol and are then promoted,” says Bentley Jackson, Law Enforcement program coordinator for Rasmussen University’s School of Justice.
“Even small police departments may have a part-time detective who performs other duties the rest of the time," Jackson explains. "Some law enforcement agencies have rotating detective positions where a patrol officer is assigned to conduct investigations for several years, then rotates back into the patrol unit or another position within the department.”
Rasmussen University’s Law Enforcement Associate’s degree program meets the educational standards established by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (MN POST) for persons who intend to seek employment in Minnesota as a peace officer. This program does not meet the standards of states other than Minnesota. This program is only open to residents of Minnesota, or those willing to sign an attestation of their intent to seek employment in Minnesota as a peace officer.
Becoming an investigator
Private investigators (sometimes called private detectives, to everyone's confusion) need at least a high school diploma, though it can be beneficial to earn a degree in criminal justice or a related field to learn more in preparation for this career.1
Before embarking on a job as an investigator, it’s essential to learn about the rules that govern investigations (for example, understanding what private investigators lawfully can and cannot do.)
Once you have the necessary education and experience, you’ll need to secure a license. Requirements for having an investigator license vary by state.
Investigator vs. detective: Day-to-day work
As you can see, these roles are pretty different. And that comes through in the general job descriptions. But there will also be pretty big differences between, say, a corporate investigator looking into embezzlement and a private investigator hired by a client to support claims in a divorce settlement.
There's also a big difference between a local police department's detective and a detective for the FBI. But no matter which type of role you are considering, these will be some of the main features.
Investigator responsibilities
The daily work of an investigator varies depending on the type of investigations they are responsible for. In general, investigators gather evidence through background information, interviews with relevant individuals and surveillance activities. They may spend considerable time reviewing public records or even social media to learn about persons of interest.
Plan on lots of research and paperwork in an investigator role. Investigators are responsible for producing detailed reports for their clients.
Detective responsibilities
Being a police detective is a mix of adrenaline-inducing activities and more mundane tasks. The day-to-day work may involve:
- Photographing, documenting and preserving evidence
- Analyzing digital evidence such as phone records
- Reviewing case files
- Gathering background information
- Conducting witness interviews
- Questioning potential suspects
- Pursuing potential leads
- Performing surveillance
- Writing investigative reports
- Testifying in court
Investigator vs. detective: Skills and knowledge
Investigators and detectives all need sharp, analytical minds. Their work involves making sense of myriad clues to discover patterns. They need the ability to record details that may seem like minutia while still considering the big picture in a case.
Critical thinking skills are number one as they piece together all of these details, from background checks to interviews and more.
These professionals must also be active listeners. Investigators and detectives are immersed in conversations that are often life-altering, whether they’re working a source or assessing a suspect. Due to the sensitive nature of their work, discretion is also a crucial attribute.
In addition, as legal authorities, police detectives must be well-versed in the local, state and federal laws in their jurisdiction.
Investigator or detective?
Which role is most interesting to you?
While there are definitely differences in these careers, they both have their roots in understanding criminal justice and the justice system.
Considering earning a criminal justice degree? Rasmussen University offers a Criminal Justice Associate’s degree, Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Bachelor’s degree , Law Enforcement Associate’s degree programs and a Law Enforcement Academic Certificate.
If something like that might be for you, check out What Should I Know Before Studying Criminal Justice? 10 Things to Keep in Mind.
Rasmussen University’s Law Enforcement Academic Certificate is not designed to prepare graduates for any state-issued professional license or certification. The Law Enforcement Academic Certificate provides academic coursework required by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (MN POST) for persons who seek employment in Minnesota as a peace officer. Graduates of this program will need to successfully complete additional training, practical/skills, and fitness standards before becoming eligible to sit for the MN Peace Officer Licensing Exam. Graduates of this program have not met all MN POST requirements for employment in Minnesota as a peace officer. Graduates will need to complete skills training as part of another Rasmussen Law Enforcement programs or at another institution to be eligible to sit for the MN Peace Officer Licensing Exam. Admission to this program requires applicants to have earned an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited institution.
1 Rasmussen University’s Criminal Justice Associate’s degree and Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Bachelor’s degree programs are not designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in any state. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence. Additional education, training, experience, and/or other eligibility criteria may apply.
