27,March 2024
Since the release of various crime shows on television and OTT platforms, the craze of people for becoming detective is on the rise. People are getting fascinated by the roles played by the actors in these shows. If you are also one among them then the field of Forensic Science is for. Someone who wishes to make his career in the field of forensics can start his career right after completion of his schooling. B.Sc. forensic science is a challenging field and develops the leadership and investigation skills in the students.
What is B.Sc. Forensic Science?
B. Sc. Forensic Science is a three-year degree program that is divided into 6 semesters. Under this course, students get to learn about crimes, crime scene investigation techniques, evidence collection and lab techniques, etc. It imparts both theoretical and practical knowledge to the students in the field of criminalistics. This course focuses on application of the scientific principles and law together to investigate crimes. During their course, they are taught the mandatory skills of identifying the actual culprit of the crime by investigating various samples collected from the scene.
Key Highlights of B.Sc. Forensic Science:
Candidates can check the important highlights related to the B.Sc. forensic course to get a better understanding of the same:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the course | B.Sc. Forensic Science |
| Type | Undergraduate |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Examination Type | Semester wise |
| Eligibility Criteria | Must have passed 10th and 12th in science stream |
| Admission process | Entrance Exam/ Merit Based |
| Entrance Exam | LPUNEST, AIFSET, IPUCET |
| Average Fees | Rs. 1 Lakh |
| Average Salary | Rs. 8 Lakhs |
| Job Profiles | Forensic Scientists, Crime Scene Investigator, Forensic Expert, Customs Agent, Forensic Geologists, Forensic Engineer, Forensic Accountant, Cyber Forensic Expert, Law Expert. |
| Top Recruiters | Intelligence Bureau, Central Bureau of Investigation, Government Forensic Laboratory, Income Tax Department, Crime Branch, Quality Control Bureau. |
B.Sc. Forensic Science Admission Process:
If someone wants to get admission into a B.Sc. forensic science course he needs to comply with the admission procedure of the institutes. The procedure of forensic course admission is not a standard one and hence candidates should check the process of each participating institute. Some colleges offer direct admission on the basis of a first come first serve method while others offer admission on the basis of entrance exam results and merit list basis.
Eligibility Criteria:
Every college offering admission to this course will release the eligibility conditions that need to be fulfilled by the candidates to get admission. The eligibility criteria for B.Sc. forensic science vary from college to college and every interested candidate needs to comply with them. B.Sc. forensic science eligibility criteria are as mentioned below:
- Candidates must have passed 10th and 12th with PCM or Biology with at least 50 percent marks from a recognized board.
Entrance Exams:
There are several colleges and universities in India that offer admissions on the basis of marks scored by the candidates in the entrance examination. Some of the exams that a candidate can appear for getting admission to B.Sc. Forensic Science are as follows:
- LPUNEST: Lovely Professional University National Scholarship cum Entrance Test is a university level entrance examination conducted to provide admission to various academic courses running in the university.
- IPU CET: This entrance exam is conducted by GGS Indraprastha University every year for admissions to various UG and PG courses.
- AIFSET: This exam is conducted every year for admissions to various forensic science courses.
B.Sc. Forensic Science Syllabus:
The course curriculum of B.Sc. forensic science is divided into 6 semesters. The course includes the knowledge of both theoretical and practical skill learning. The syllabus somehow varies from college to college but there are a few common subjects that are taught in every institute. The syllabus of B.Sc. forensics is as given below in the table in the semester-wise format:
| Semesters | Subjects |
| Semester-1 | Introduction to Forensic Science |
| English | |
| Environmental Science | |
| Crime and Society | |
| Digital Forensics | |
| Tools and Techniques in Forensic Science | |
| Crime Scene Investigation | |
| Criminal Law And Society | |
| Exploration In Forensic Science | |
| Fundamentals Of Physical Chemistry | |
| Semester-2 | Chemistry |
| Law to Combat Crime | |
| Physics | |
| Forensic Impression Analysis | |
| Forensic Biology | |
| Criminalistics | |
| Semester-3 | Technological Methods in Forensic Science |
| Forensic Dermatoglyphics | |
| Zoology | |
| Botany | |
| Introduction To Forensic Physics | |
| Open Minor/Open Elective 1 | |
| Photography And Forensic Image Analysis | |
| Forensic Serology | |
| Semester-4 | Computer Science |
| Forensic Anthropology And Odontology | |
| Questioned Documents | |
| Forensic Ballistics And Explosives | |
| Forensic Medicine And Psychiatry | |
| Open Minor/Open Elective 2 | |
| Introduction to Biometry | |
| Forensic Ballistics | |
| Semester-5 | Forensic Toxicology |
| Project | |
| Forensic Science and Society | |
| Forensic Medicine | |
| Computer Forensics Investigations | |
| Handwriting Identification and Recognition | |
| Semester-6 | Forensic Psychology |
| Fundamentals Of Instrumental Analysis | |
| Digital And Cyber Forensics | |
| DNA Analysis And Interpretation |
Specializations in B.Sc. Forensic Science:
The field of forensics includes a wide range of specializations offered to the candidates as per their interests. Candidates can choose any of them to become an expert in their domain. Some of the specializations offered to the candidates under this program are as follows:
| Serial No. | Specializations |
|---|---|
| 1. | Forensic Toxicology |
| 2. | Forensic Chemistry |
| 3. | Forensic Biology and Serology |
| 4. | DNA Analysis |
| 5. | Forensic Geology |
| 6. | Forensic Ballistics |
| 7. | Forensic Handwriting |
| 8. | Forensic Accounting |
| 9. | Forensic Psychology |
| 10. | Forensic Anthropology |
Scope of B.Sc. Forensic Science:
The field of forensics provides lots of opportunities to the candidates who pursue this course. Such candidates get to work with government and private sector companies both. The scope of forensic science can be speculated with the fact that such experts are highly in demand and get endless opportunities to work in the crime investigation field. The departments where such experts can work are investigating agencies, the defense sector, private companies, police departments, etc. Even after working for a few years in India, such professionals can settle in abroad as well.
Till the date there are crimes in any country the demand for such professionals will be there. As they play an important role in the field of identification of an offender by using forensic techniques. Once you are done with your B.Sc. you can also opt for higher education and can pursue a master’s in forensic science followed by a doctorate in the same domain.
Top Recruiters:
Some of the best companies that such experts can work with after the completion of their graduation are mentioned below in the table:
| Serial No. | Government Organizations | Private Organizations |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Intelligence Bureau | Hospitals |
| 2. | Central Bureau of Investigation | Detective Agencies |
| 3. | Government Forensic Laboratory | Laboratory |
| 4. | Income Tax Department | Insurance Companies |
| 5. | Crime Branch | University/Colleges |
| 6. | Quality Control Bureau | Banks |
| 7. | Government Hospitals |
Higher Education Options After B.Sc. Course:
If you wish to continue your studies after the completion of your B.Sc. then you can opt for a master’s degree in the same discipline. Some of the courses that you can choose to further continue your education in the field of forensics are as follows:
- M.Sc.,
- M.Tech.,
- M.Phil., and
- Ph.D.
Career Options after B.Sc. Forensic Science Course:
As we have mentioned earlier as well the career options after B.Sc. are endless hence such experts can work with the organizations of their choice. Be it a public organization or a private one the doors of these units are always open for these professionals. Candidates can make their successful career in the world of forensics by working as:
- Forensic Psychiatrists,
- Handwriting Expert,
- Forensic Scientist,
- Crime Laboratory,
- Forensic Auditor,
- Forensic Analyst,
- Crime Scene Investigator,
- Forensic Engineer,
- Law Consultant,
- Customs Agent,
- Forensic Toxicologist,
- Forensic DNA Analyst,
- Forensic Anthropologist,
- Forensic Expert,
- Crime Reporter,
- Professor,
- Forensic Psychologist.
Top Colleges for B.Sc. Forensic Science Course:
Before entering the world of forensics candidates should know which college to opt for their graduation. Some of the best government and private colleges offering B.Sc. forensic science degrees are mentioned below:
| Serial No. | Government Colleges | Private Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Banaras Hindu University | Lloyd Law College |
| 2. | Panjab University | Chandigarh University (CU) |
| 3. | Cochin University of Science and Technology | Amity University, Noida |
| 4. | BBAU | LPU |
| 5. | University of Mysore | Christ University |
| 6. | University of Madras | Dr M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute |
| 7. | Gujarat University | Amity University, Gurugram |
| 8. | University of Calicut | Galgotias University |
| 9. | GGSIPU | Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences |
| 10. | Osmania University | Kalinga University |
| 11. | Government Institute of Forensic Science, Nagpur | Aditya Degree College, Surampalem |
| 12. | IFS, Mumbai | Sir Issac Newton Arts and Science College, Nagapattinam |
Once you enter the world of forensics you need not look back ever in your career. The perks and benefits of being a forensic expert are huge and hence choose the specialization that you wish to make your career in wisely since it will stay with you till the end of your professional journey.
References:
- https://www.sharda.ac.in/progra mmes/bsc-forensic-science/
- https://collegedunia.com/courses /bachelor-of-science-bsc-forensic-sciences
- https://www.careers360.com/ courses /bsc-in-forensic-science
- https://www.collegesearch.in/ articles /bsc-in-forensic-science-crs