24,May 2024
In today’s criminal justice system, the importance of forensic experts in delivering justice to the victims can’t be neglected. The legal system relies mostly on forensic scientists in crime scene investigation, collection of evidence, and linking of the suspects to crime. But now the question arises who such experts are? How do I become a forensic scientist and what do these people do? So here in this blog, we have given a detailed and step-by-step procedure on how to pursue a career in forensics.
What is Forensic Science?
The application of science and related methods to solve criminal mysteries in the legal world is known as forensics. Since criminals are playing their smart move while committing crime and therefore law enforcement agencies also need to work smartly and therefore these people are relying on forensic experts to furnish enough information to the judiciary by closely examining the case. Such experts specialize in ballistics, toxicology, DNA analysis, fingerprint analysis, and digital crimes. They prepare detailed reports consisting of detailed procedures used in the investigation and hence present such findings to the court.
How To Pursue A Career in Forensic Science?
Since forensics is a new field of science less information about the course is available to people who wish to make a career in this field. In order to become a forensic scientist, candidates need to get a degree along with the required certification. Here we have mentioned the detailed procedure for pursuing a career in forensics candidates willing to pursue the course can check the steps here:
1. Complete Your Schooling:
The very first step that needs to be completed by you to pursue a forensics course is to pass class 10th and 12th in the science stream with at least 55% marks from a recognized board.
2. Get A Degree in Forensic Science:
Once you are done with your schooling now you step onto the actual ladder towards making your professional career. If you are wondering which degree you need to pursue we have got your back. Depending on which expertise you choose for your career, you can have several options for your bachelor’s degree. To work in this field, candidates need to complete their graduation in forensic science or related fields with at least 50% aggregate marks. The fields in which you can get your bachelor’s degree to become such an expert are biology, chemistry, and natural sciences.
Such candidates after completing their undergraduate course can also opt for post-graduation in the same field. Though graduation is enough to take your career forward in this field such candidates who wish to get an added advantage of earning higher than the candidates with bachelor’s degrees can pursue a master’s in forensic science as well.
Courses Available At Undergraduate Level:
Programs that you can choose while pursuing your undergraduate degree are mentioned here:
- B.Sc. (Forensic Science),
- B.Sc. (Biochemistry, Molecular Biology),
- B.Sc. (Biomedical Science),
- B.Sc. (Genetics and Biochemistry),
- B.Sc. (Forensic Biology),
- B.Sc. (Policing Studies and Forensics),
- B.Sc. (Anatomy and Human Biology),
- B.Tech (Forensic Science).
Courses Available At Post Graduate Level:
Programs offered to students pursuing forensics degrees at post graduate level are several and we have mentioned them below:
- M.Sc. (Forensic Science),
- M.Sc. (Forensic Science and Law),
- M.Sc. (Human Anatomy),
- M.Sc. (Forensic Criminology),
- M.Sc. (Forensic Archeology),
- M.Sc. (Medical Laboratory Science),
- M.Tech (Forensic Science).
Courses Available At Doctorate Level:
Students who wish to make their career in the field of forensics can also enroll themselves in doctorate-level degrees and we have mentioned them:
- M.Phil.,
- PhD.
3. Get Specialized Training:
Once you are done with getting your degree in the respective field, now candidates should focus on getting specialized training in the same domain. Forensic Science is a wide field and encompasses several specialists. These specializations help you to be an expert in your field. Mostly such professionals start working on their specialization during college itself. During the program curriculum in college, candidates get the opportunity to choose their elective subjects as one of their specializations. After the completion of their degree in a specific branch, candidates will get to work in the legal field as one of the experts. Some of the specializations that such candidates can opt for are given below:
- Toxicologist,
- Ballistics,
- DNA Analysis,
- Fingerprint Expert,
- Serologist,
- Psychologist,
- Psychiatrist,
- Document Examination,
- Anthropologist,
- Blood Stain Analyst, etc.
4. Start Your Job:
Once you are done with completing all the steps mentioned above, now the final step towards your professional career settlement is getting a job in a good organization. But you should keep in mind that getting a job in a reputed and paying salary organization is not an easy task. Therefore, before making your choice for getting a good job you should consider all the factors associated with an organization and make your choice wisely. Candidates who pursue forensics can work with private and public organizations based on their choice.
Some of the top private and government organizations offering jobs to forensic science experts are mentioned below:
Top Private Forensic Organizations:
Some students after pursuing the forensics course get campus placement while there are some who look for off-campus recruitment. Here we have given some of the top private recruiters:
- Private Detective Agencies,
- Cellmark Forensics,
- Illumina INC.,
- Life Technologies CO.,
- Promega CO.,
- PerkinElmer INC.,
- Sorenson Forensics,
- Private Law Firms.
Top Government Forensic Organizations:
Apart from private organizations, there are some top-class government companies as well which offer great packages to such experts. These people work in close connection with law enforcement agencies and get exciting packages as well. Here we have mentioned some of the top public recruiters:
- Intelligence Bureau,
- Government Forensic Sciences Labs,
- Government Hospitals,
- Police Department,
- Quality Control Bureau,
- Banks like the State Bank of India,
- Reserve Bank of India,
- Government Universities,
- Defense,
- CBI,
- Income tax Departments,
- State medical colleges.
Skills Required For Forensic Science Program:
Apart from getting a degree in the respective domain, another important pillar of your career building is to acquire an essential skill set. These skills help you to excel in your field since you become an expert. These skills are necessary to give you a better understanding of the forensics field. The skill set required by such a candidate is as follows:
- Such candidates should have good analytical understanding,
- You should be attentive to minute details of the case,
- You should be a good examiner,
- You should be able to work under pressure and comply with strict deadlines,
- You should be a good speaker and should be able to convey your findings on the case to law enforcement agencies.
Top Colleges Offering Forensics Course:
Choosing a good college is as important as choosing a good course. Therefore, to excel in your professional career you should choose your institute wisely and look for each factor associated with it. Here we have mentioned some of the top institutes offering programs in forensics for both a bachelor’s and master’s degree to give you a rough idea of which college to choose:
Colleges Offering Such Courses:
Some of the top institutes offering bachelor’s degrees are given below. These institutes have been mentioned here based on the placement ratio, companies that visit the campus to hire students, fee structure, etc.
- National Law School of India University [NLSIU], Bangalore,
- Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, New Delhi,
- National Law University [NLU], New Delhi,
- NALSAR University of Law [NALSAR], Hyderabad,
- Lloyd Institute of Forensic Science, Greater Noida,
- Symbiosis Law School, Pune,
- ILS Law College, Pune,
- Gujarat National Law University, Gandhi Nagar,
- P. Jindal Global University, Sonepat,
- Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
Career Opportunities in Forensic Science:
If you are wondering after completion of your course, which career you should work in, then we will help you to do so. As discussed above, after pursuing your course you can work on the profiles mentioned below:
- Crime Scene Investigator,
- Crime Scene Analyst,
- Crime Scene Technician,
- Evidence Technician,
- Forensic Examiner,
- Forensic Scientist,
- Forensic Specialist,
- Fingerprint Examiner,
- Crime Laboratory Analyst.
As discussed above, the task of forensic scientists is a critical one and hence requires a good career-building strategy. This strategy must be followed by the candidates from the beginning of their careers. As it is said also to excel in your field you should create a good base before making the entire building. So get a good understanding of the course curriculum and organizations that give the opportunity of working in this field.
References:
- https://leverageedu.com /blog/forensic-scientist/
- https://www.forbes.com/ advisor/education/science/how -to-become-a-forensic-scientist/
- https://www.edumilestones .com/career-library/How-to -become-a-Forensic-Scientist- in-India-Career-Guidance