05,May 2024
The field of Forensic Science is wide and the job opportunities that are available to these experts are also several. Once you complete your basic education in this domain, a gate of occupations opens up for you. Being a combination of the legal system and science, this field is an enormous one. Forensic Scientists help the investigative agencies in both civil and criminal cases. Such experts get the opportunity to work in the public and private sectors in renowned organizations. Here in this blog, we have mentioned the occupations that forensic scientists can choose.
Forensic Science Occupations:
Based on interest candidate has, he can choose any of the occupations in the field of forensics. It is not mandatory for a candidate to be working as a forensic scientist only. On the basis of the specialization you had during your graduation or post-graduation, you can start working in the respective domain. If you are concerned to know as to which occupation of forensic science you can choose, have a look at the options given below:
| Serial No. | Occupation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Forensic Scientist | Experts who use scientific methods to examine and analyze the crime scene to investigate the case and hence help law enforcement agencies to deliver justice to the victims. |
| 2. | Forensic Psychologist | Psychologists who implement their knowledge in determining the psychology of people involved in a crime are known as forensic psychologists. They try to understand the criminal behavior and hence conclude the motive behind the crime committed. |
| 3. | Drug Analyst | Experts who are involved in the crime investigation and examine the body of the dead or the samples taken by the investigation agencies to determine the presence of any kind of drug present in the body. Through this, they try to establish the fact whether the person died because of drug consumption or not. |
| 4. | Crime Laboratory Analyst | When all the samples are collected from the crime scene to determine the identity of the victim or the offender, they are examined by the crime laboratory analysts. |
| 5. | Crime Scene Examiner | Experts who accompany the police and other investigating officers to the crime scene and examine the place to collect evidence and figure out the possible crime story that might have happened at the place, are known as the crime scene examiner. |
| 6. | Forensic Anthropologist | Professionals who study the human body including body structure, bones, muscle patterns, etc. are known as forensic anthropologists. Through this study, these people try to establish the link between human hierarchy, and body structure that has changed over the years. |
| 7. | Forensic Pathologist | Experts who examine the body and the samples collected from the body of a person associated with the crime are known as Forensic Pathologists. The samples that are tested by such professionals include blood, semen, urine, etc. |
| 8. | Forensic IT Specialist | All such crimes that involve the use of computers and informational technology are investigated by experts who are known as Forensic IT specialists. |
| 9. | Crime Reporter | Such graduates who take their careers forward in the field of media and crime reporting after pursuing forensic science are known as crime reporters. |
| 10. | Forensic Toxicologists | To figure out the presence of any kind of intoxicating substance in the body of the deceased or the victim who is unconscious because of its consumption, forensic toxicologists use their scientific knowledge. |
| 11. | Forensic Accountant | Crime is not just murder or theft instead it is also about fraud in the financial accounts of a firm or a company. An expert who examines such crime that involves finances is known as a forensic accountant. |
| 12. | Forensic Odontologists | Teeth being the toughest part of the human body are always considered for crime investigation in cases where the identity of a person is questionable. To determine the identity forensic odontologists try to read the dental patterns since they are unique to each person. |
| 13. | Forensic Entomologist | Forensic experts who use arthropods especially insects to determine the cause, manner, and time of death of a person are known as forensic entomologists. |
| 14. | Fingerprints Examiner | Professionals who examine and analyze the fingerprints associated with a crime scene or a crime to establish the identity of the people involved in crime are known as fingerprints examiners. |
| 15. | DNA Analyst | Cases that involve the examination of DNA to determine the identity or the relationship between people involved in a crime through samples collected from them are known as DNA Analysts. |
| 16. | Forensic Archeologist | Crime is not restricted to murders done at homes, hotels, roads, etc. but sometimes crime turns out to be severe enough that people dig out the place and put the deceased or the evidence related to the crime under it. |
| 17. | Digital Forensic Experts | Examination of digital devices to figure out the evidence associated with the crime is done by digital forensic experts. Cases that involve breaking mobile phone or laptop passwords are solved with the help of such people. |
| 18. | Document Examiner | Whenever documents are submitted in a courtroom to establish the claims of a party involved in a case, document examiners are called for help. These people based on their skills and knowledge examine such documents and prove their authenticity. |
| 19. | Forensic Ballistic Experts | Cases that involve attacks like bomb blasts, nuclear blasts, pistol attacks, etc. are examined by the people known as forensic ballistic experts. |
| 20. | Forensic Linguistic Experts | Experts who excel in the field of languages are known as forensic linguistic experts. These experts use their linguistic knowledge and methods in the field of forensics, judicial system, and crime investigation. |
| 21. | Forensic Geologists | Experts who study the substances found under the earth’s surface like metals, ores, volcano lava, etc. are known as forensic geologists. |
What do Forensic Scientists Do?
Experts who work in collaboration with the judicial system to provide evidence based on scientific methods are known as forensic scientists. However, their profile is not restricted to the title of a forensic scientist only, instead based on the specialization they had they can have a range of professions. Such experts visit the crime scene along with the police personnel and examine everything present at the site to collect evidence associated with the crime. Along with examining the crime scene and the evidence these people also testify in the courtroom and give their suggestions on forensic science to law enforcement agencies.
Salary of Forensic Scientists:
The salary such forensic scientists get varies based on the choice of occupation they have made. Therefore it is advised to the candidates that they should make their occupation choice wisely while being in college. Here in the table below, we have given the salary structure of forensic scientists based on their occupation.
| Serial No. | Profile Name | Average Salary (Per Annum) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Forensic Expert | 6 Lakhs |
| 2. | Forensic Scientist | 6 Lakhs |
| 3. | Forensic Investigator | 7 Lakhs |
| 4. | Crime Scene Investigator | 9 Lakhs |
| 5. | Handwriting Expert | 8 Lakhs |
| 6. | Document Examiner | 7 Lakhs |
| 7. | Forensic Analyst | 6 Lakhs |
| 8. | Security Expert | 7 Lakhs |
| 9. | Forensic Law Consultant | 5 Lakhs |
| 10. | Detective | 7 Lakhs |
| 11. | Professor | 8 Lakhs |
| 12. | Forensic Psychologist | 5 Lakhs |
| 13. | Forensic Pathologists | 5 Lakhs |
| 14. | Fingerprint Expert | 7 Lakhs |
| 15. | Genetics Experts | 7 Lakhs |
| 16. | Environment Analyst | 4 Lakhs |
| 17. | Crime Laboratory Analyst | 6 Lakhs |
| 18. | Forensic Psychiatrist | 7 Lakhs |
| 19. | Forensic Serologist | 6 Lakhs |
| 20. | Toxicologist | 8 Lakhs |
| 21. | Forensic Computer Expert | 7 Lakhs |
| 22. | Forensic Accountant | 6 Lakhs |
| 23. | Forensic Ballistic Expert | 8 Lakhs |
| 24. | Blood Splatter Analyst | 7 Lakhs |
Parameters That Affect The Salary of Forensic Scientists:
The packages that such forensic scientists get also vary depending on a few parameters apart from their occupation. These factors are given below:
- Educational Qualification: The level of education that a candidate holds affects their salaries. For example, if someone is postgraduate then he will be receiving a higher salary than a person with a graduate degree.
- Geographical Location: The location of the organization also affects the salary bar. It is because an organization located in an urban area will get a higher salary as compared to the one located at remote area.
- Experience: Based on the years of work experience you have, your pay structure will vary. Here in the table below, we have mentioned the salary variation based on the experience of candidates.
| Serial No. | Experience | Salary (Per Annum) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Entry-level (0-5 Years) | Rs. 240,000 – 5,00,000 |
| 2. | Mid-career (5-10 Years) | Rs. 5,00,000 – 9,50,000 |
| 3. | Experienced (10-20 Years) | Rs. 8,00,000 – 12,00,000 |
| 4. | Late-career (more than 20 Years) | More than Rs. 10,00,000 |
Top Recruiters of Forensic Scientists:
Experts in this profession get the opportunity to work with both government and private sector organizations. Such organizations are paying quite well to forensic scientists as there is less availability of people in this occupation. Some of the top organizations that offer high-paying jobs to these experts are given below:
- Intelligence Bureau (IB),
- Government and Private Forensic Sciences Labs,
- Government and Private Hospitals,
- Police Department,
- Quality Control Bureau,
- Private and Government Banks like State Bank of India, etc.,
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI),
- Government and Private Universities and Colleges,
- Defense Sector,
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),
- Income Tax Department,
- State and Private medical colleges.
- Private Detective Agencies,
- Private Law Firms.
Thus, this field opens a wide spectrum for people who are interested in the field of forensics. Such experts who work in this domain get the unique opportunity of working in a thrilling yet exciting environment that challenges you daily with new cases.
References:
- https://www.forensicscolleges.com/careers
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/types-of-forensic-scientists
- https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/forensic-science
- https://www.aafs.org/careers-forensic-science