12,April 2024
A combination of scientific techniques with the legal system is known as Forensic Science. This field of science is growing at a faster pace daily because of its increasing usage. The use of this field in the field of criminology helps in solving civil and criminal cases in a short duration with utmost precision. This is because it allows the investigators to study each point related to the case. For example, prior to the involvement of forensic experts in the case investigation, it was quite difficult to identify the people present at the crime scene in the absence of any eyewitness. This is now possible as these experts can use fingerprint science to determine the presence of people at the crime site thus preparing a list of suspects of a case. Read this blog to get better clarity on the scope of forensic science.
Scope of Forensic Science in India:
Forensic science has become an essential component of the justice delivery system now. The law enforcement agencies are utilizing the field of forensics to the utmost level. This is because it has helped in solving the cases in less duration and hence ultimately helps in reducing the number of cases the legal system of India is dealing with.
In a recent interview, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah revealed that India will require at least 90 thousand forensic scientists in the upcoming 9 years. Of this fact, it can be speculated that the scope for such professionals is growing only and it will reach the level sky in the upcoming few years. The legal agencies require such professionals because the Centre will integrate forensic science with the justice system to ensure faster justice delivery and to increase the conviction rate.
- High Demand: Since there is no relief in the number of crimes being committed there is a requirement of solving these crimes as well. And here the scope of forensic science comes into the picture. There is high demand for these experts and it is not going to fade away ever because investigators will always need such professionals.
- Multiple Career Opportunities: These professionals get to choose from a range of career options like crime scene investigator, DNA analysis, Forensic Ballistics Investigator, and Forensic Pathologists, Forensic Psychiatrists, etc.
- Create Unique Identity: Since these experts play an important role in the justice delivery system of our country, they have their charisma. They are known as specialists in the crowd of investigators.
- Cognitive Simulation: Since crime investigations require such experts to pay attention to each small detail, they need to be critical thinkers and required to pay due attention to the case. This develops the expert qualities in forensic scientists which are fruitful for them for their career.
Career Options after Forensic Science:
Now it’s not difficult for a candidate who is willing to work as a forensic expert to find a suitable job. This is because of increasing demand by private and public organizations in today’s world. These people get to work in close collaboration with the crime branch personnel and the law enforcement agencies and thus get good experiences as well. During their professional journey, they get to visit several locations and meet thousands of people. Some of the job profiles that these experts get to work as once they complete their education in the respective fields are as mentioned below:
| S.No. | Career Option | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Forensic Expert | These experts visit the crime scenes, analyze and examine the place to gather enough evidence that can help in the crime investigation. |
| 2. | Crime Scene Investigator | These are the specialists who accompany the police personnel and investigate the crime scene to find relevant information about the case. |
| 3. | Fraud Examiner | These experts are called by the crime branches to investigate the financial fraud in banks, corporate industries, factories, government departments, etc. |
| 4. | Handwriting Expert | These are the specialists who examine the handwriting patterns and try to determine the identity of the offender. |
| 5. | Forensic Investigator | These are the forensic specialists who investigate the crime scene, examine and analyze the body of the deceased, and conclude the case. |
| 6. | Document Examiner | These experts examine the questioned documents and verify their authenticity. These come into the picture in cases that involve the presentation of documents as proofs in the courtrooms. |
| 7. | Forensic Consultant | These are the experts who are consulted by law enforcement agencies to get answers about forensic dilemmas. Since they are the experts of their field they present their thoughts on the case that involves legal facts. |
| 8. | Forensic Psychologist | These people study the psychology of the victims and the offenders and try to draw the crime line that offenders might be following. |
| 9. | Environment Analyst | Since forensics is not restricted to the human examination, thus it includes examination of the environment as well. It is done in cases where biological factors that are present in the environment are used for solving a case. |
| 10. | Forensic Engineer | In cases that raise questions about the working of machinery used in a factory that had faced major industrial disasters, forensic engineers are called for investigation. |
| 11. | Teacher / Professor | It is not mandatory that a candidate should be working in the forensic world after graduating or post-graduating. So, you can also work as a professor in private and government colleges or universities. |
| 12. | Detective | Most of the private agencies that investigate crime require detectives for the purpose of investigation. As a detective, you can work with private investigation agencies, government crime branches, etc. |
| 13. | Crime Reporter | Such experts who do not wish to continue their careers in the laboratories can also work with media agencies and can work as crime reporters. |
| 14. | Fingerprint Expert | These are the experts who pick, analyze, and examine the fingerprint patterns and identify the people associated with the crime. |
| 15. | Forensic Medical Examiners | All the biological tests that are conducted on the victim’s body are done by the forensic medical examiners. These tests are done to trace the presence of drugs, poison, or intoxicating agents in the body. |
| 16. | Genetics Experts | These experts examine the human body and match the genetics of the victims with samples collected to establish the links between the people. |
| 17. | Forensic Toxicologists | Cases that involve the intoxication, or consumption of poison by the victims intentionally or unintentionally are dealt with by such professionals. |
| 18. | Forensic Auditor | These people are associated with tracing the financial crimes done in an organization. They pay attention to every minute detail and trace the culprit. |
Scope of Forensic Science in the Government Sector:
Such candidates who pursue forensics courses get the golden opportunity to work with prestigious government organizations. They get hired by such organizations either through the entrance examinations conducted by the respective department of ministry or through the direct application process. Some of the public organizations that require such professionals are as given below:
- State Police Departments,
- Crime Branches like CBI and CID,
- Forensic Science Laboratories,
- Intelligence Bureau,
- Banks,
- Defense,
- High Courts and Supreme Courts,
- Quality Control Bureau,
- Narcotics Department,
- State Universities,
- Government Hospitals.
Scope of Forensic Science in the Private Sector:
Unlike other private organizations, the private sector jobs in this field offer the best salaries in the market. Since the availability of these experts is less in the market hence the competition among top recruiters to hire such professionals is tough. So ultimately it benefits the candidates. Some of the private sector companies candidates can join are given below:
- Private Detective Agencies,
- Banks,
- Insurance Companies,
- Universities,
- Hospitals,
- Security Services Agencies,
- Law Firms,
Forensic Science Courses:
To establish a successful career in the field of forensics, candidates can pursue any of the following mentioned forensic courses. These courses are available to candidates at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. However, we have mentioned the complete details below:
Courses Available:
As mentioned earlier, the forensic courses that candidates can opt for in their professional journey are available at UG and PG levels.
Courses Available After 12th: Candidates can opt for any of the courses given below after the completion of their class 12th with a minimum of 50 percent marks in the science stream from a recognized board.
- Diploma (Forensic Science),
- Sc. (Forensic Science),
- Tech (Forensic Science).
Courses Available After Graduation: Candidates who wish to make a career in the field of forensics can opt for any of the courses mentioned below after the completion of graduation in the same or equivalent discipline with at least 50 percent marks from a recognized university.
- Sc. (Forensic Science),
- Tech (Forensic Science),
- Phil. (Forensic Science),
- PhD (Forensic Science).
Mode of Courses:
The above mentioned courses are available in multiple modes and can be pursued as the candidate wishes.
- Full Time Mode,
- Part-Time Mode,
- Distance Mode.
The scope of forensic science is never to fade away because the demand for such professionals is always at its peak. If you wish to settle down in your career at a young age with tremendous growth in your professional journey then you should not give a second thought to joining a forensics course.
References:
- https://lexpeeps.in/forensic -science-scope-and-different -kind-of-methods/
- https://www.ifsedu.in /forensic-scope-and-career/
- https://www.sifs.in/blog -details/scope-of-forensic -science-in-india/108