12,April 2024
It is the branch of forensic science that deals with the investigation and examination of crimes, crime scenes, evidence, etc. With increasing crime rates the requirement for such professionals who help the police departments and the crime branches to investigate and conclude a case is quite important. If you are someone who desires to work in a dark environment at odd hours then this is the field for you. Here in this blog, we have given the complete details on what is a forensic science degree, eligibility conditions, scope, etc.
What is a Forensic Investigation Degree?
Forensic Investigation is a two to three years degree program that can be studied at both, the undergraduate and the postgraduate level. This degree aims at developing a scientific temperament in the students who pursue it. Through this degree such experts can help in case-solving by using scientific methods during the investigation of a crime. In simple words, we can say that this degree is a combination of crime with laws. During the degree years, the students are taught several scientific methods that will help them during their professional journey.
Forensic Investigation Degree Options:
This degree is available for the candidates to be pursued at UG and PG levels. Candidates can opt for the degree they wish to pursue based on their interests. An undergraduate forensic investigation degree is a three-year course while a postgraduate degree is a two-year course. Here we have given the Forensic courses that students can opt for:
- Sc. (Forensic Investigation),
- Sc. (Forensic Investigation),
- Phil. (Forensic Investigation),
- PhD (Forensic Investigation).
What Do Forensic Investigators Do?
Being a forensic investigator, their primary role is to accompany the police personnel and help in the investigation. Their task starts from the point a crime is committed and ends with the justice delivery. They visit the crime scene, examine and analyze the scene, the evidence, and the dead body, and present them in court. They are an integral part of the crime investigation and hence are considered to be important. Some of the most important tasks that these professionals do are as follows:
1. Visit And Examines The Crime Scene:
These experts visit the crime sites along with the police personnel and examine the place thoroughly. In cases where the body of the deceased is present at the scene, they investigate the corpse as well to figure out the probable cause of death.
2. Collect The Evidence:
These people are dedicated to analyzing the crime site and collecting every possible material present at the scene that can be potential evidence and can help in the crime investigation.
3. Examine And Analyze The Evidence:
Once these experts collect the materials from the crime scene now their next step is to examine and analyze them. They try to establish the links between the materials found at the scene and the crime committed with the list of suspects.
4. Communicate With People:
These experts connect with the people who are connected with the crime in one or the other way. They talk to all the suspects of the crime and try to determine the reason behind the death of a victim.
5. Proof The Authenticity:
These people try to prove the authenticity of the evidence presented by the offender’s lawyers and try to establish the innocence of the victim.
6. Prepare The Reports:
Based on the findings of the case, these people prepare the reports and store them for future reference. These reports include the number and category of evidence found at the crime scene, the number of suspects, the judgment of the case, etc.
7. Present Reports to The Courts:
These experts are required to present the prepared reports to the law enforcement agencies and the police departments to support the case and help in the investigation.
8. Testify In The Courtrooms:
Being experts in their field, these people testify in the courts presenting their thoughts supporting the victim.
Forensic Investigation Degree Syllabus:
The syllabus of forensic science investigation varies from course to course and college to college. Depending on which degree you have opted for the syllabus may change. Here in the table below, we have given the forensic investigation syllabus to give candidates a better clarity of the same.
| Serial No. | Subjects | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Crime And Criminals | Definition of Crime; History and Development; Victimology; Criminological Perspective; Characteristics of crime; Classification of crimes; White collar crime, Professional crime; Organized crime; Present scenario of crime in India; Definition of criminals; Classification of criminals; Definition of criminology; Growth of criminology in India; Conservative criminology; Liberal criminology; Radial criminology. |
| 2. | History and Development of Forensic Science | Specific contribution of scientists in the field of Forensic Science; Development of Forensic Science in India; National and international scenario of teaching and research institutions in Forensic Science. |
| 3. | Basic of Forensic Science | Introduction; Definition; Signification and scope of Forensic Science; Principles of Forensic Science; Multi-professional and multi-personal aspects of forensic science; Domains in Forensic Science; Forensic Biology; Forensic Medicine; Forensic Toxicology; Forensic Osteology and Odontology; Forensic Physics; Forensic Photography; Ballistics; Fingerprint; Questioned Documents; Forensic Psychology; Forensic Anthropology; Wildlife Forensic; DNA profiling; Functions of Forensic Scientist; Police officers; Prosecution; Judicial Officers and Medico-legal expert; Problem of proof in Forensic Science; Ethical issue in Forensic Science. |
| 4. | Crime Scene Investigation | Definition of crime scene; Crimes without scene; Classification of crime scene; Macroscopic & microscopic crime scene; Significance of crime scene; Argument and ethics of crime scene; Definition of physical evidence; Classification of physical evidence; Types of physical evidence; Sources of physical evidence; Signification and value of physical evidence; Linkage between crime scene; Victim and criminal; Study of some special crime scene such as mass disaster, terror attack, geological scene and explosive etc. |
| 5. | Crime Scene Management | Introduction to crime scene management; Duties of first responding officer at the scene of crime; Duties of the crime scene investigator; Specialized personnel at the crime scene; Biological or chemical terrorist crime scene; Processing of the scene of crime; Plan of action; Protection of the scene of crime; Photography and video recording of the crime scene; Sketching of the crime scene; Searching, collection, preservation, packing of physical evidence; Documentation of crime scene; Forwarding or dispatch of the exhibit into the laboratory; Chain of custody; Collection of standard/reference samples. |
| 6. | Basics of Forensic Biology | Basics of microbiology; Basic concepts of genetics; Human physiology; Introduction to osteology and Odontology. |
| 7. | Criminology | Basics of Criminology, Etiology of Crime; Biology & Psychology of Crime. |
| 8. | Indian penal code | Basic of Crime; Various types of Crime; Offence affecting human body; General exception; Offence against property. |
| 9. | Communication skills | Concept of communication skills; Listening and speaking; Reading and writing; Vocabulary and grammar; Offence relating to document. |
| 10. | Basics of Forensic Biology | Cell biology; Biochemistry; Plant physiology; Basic instrumentation; Basics of microbiology; Basic concepts of genetics; Human physiology. |
Specializations In Forensic Investigation Degree:
The task of these experts is quite difficult and important for solving criminal cases. These people not only investigate the crime scene instead they also examine the evidence, the dead body, blood stains, etc. And to serve this purpose they need to be specialized in certain fields. Some of the specializations that such candidates can opt for are given below:
1. Forensic Toxicology:
These experts conduct various biological and chemical tests on the body of the deceased to figure out the possible reason for their death. They basically conduct the examination in case of poison ingestion by the deceased.
2. Forensic Pathology:
Under this specialization, these experts conduct tests on the biological samples of the victim and identify what could be the possible reason for death. It includes the examination of blood samples, hair samples, semen, etc.
3. Forensic Odontology:
These experts study the dental impressions and X-rays to determine the identity of the dead. These people present the findings of the sample as evidence in court. Along with these their findings also help to trace the missing people as dental records are unique to each person existing on this earth.
4. Forensic Archeology:
In cases where the evidence of the body corpse is found beneath the ground, these experts are contacted. These people conduct in-depth examinations to examine the place and collect the evidence from the scene for further investigation.
5. Forensic Serology:
These are the experts who conduct the examination of body fluid samples of the deceased or such samples collected from the crime scene.
Scope of Forensic Investigation Degree:
For a candidate who wishes to work in the field of forensic investigation, the opportunities are limitless. The scope of forensics is increasing with each day passing. Such experts can work with the department of their choice as there is no restriction. Some of the organizations that these people can work with are:
- Forensic Laboratories,
- Defense Sector,
- Police Department,
- Crime Branches,
- Banks,
- Universities/Colleges.
Once you start your professional journey as a forensic investigator you need not worry about your career in your entire life. It is being speculated that in the upcoming 10 years, the career opportunities for such investigators are going to grow by 50% of the present demand.
References:
- https://www.shiksha.com /science/forensic-science-chp
- https://www.southwales .ac.uk/courses/bsc-hons- forensic-investigation/
- https://www.shiksha.com/online -courses/bs-in-forensic- investigation-course-cosounl24