What is the Difference Between Investigator and Detective?

The main difference between an investigator and a detective lies in the types of cases they handle and their employment agencies. Here are the key differences:

Detective:

Employed by law enforcement agencies, such as city police departments.
Typically works on cases involving homicides, felonies, and other serious crimes.
Specialization can vary, such as homicide detectives who primarily investigate murder cases.

Investigator:

Can work for a range of employers, including law enforcement agencies, private companies, or individuals.
Works on a variety of criminal and civil cases, such as fraud, missing persons, and others.
Often specializes in different cases depending on the client or individual who hired them.

In terms of daily responsibilities, both detectives and investigators carry out similar tasks, such as gathering evidence, interviewing suspects and witnesses, preparing arrest and search warrants, detaining criminals, developing investigative reports, and overseeing crime scenes. However, the specific types of cases they handle and their employment agencies differentiate their roles in enforcing the law.