05,January 2024
Forensic is an area of Science combined with law that uses scientific methods and ideas to solve legal problems and criminal cases. It helps you to analyze various places of crimes and the evidence found there and thus make the possible interpretations and conclusions relevant to criminal investigations and legal proceedings.
Candidates who enjoy solving mysteries and wish to become an agent can opt for this course. This course is based on disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. It is basically a two to three year curriculum that focuses on the investigation of crime scenes along with collecting, handling, and analyzing the evidence. To know more about the forensic science course and other associated things give a read to this blog.
What is Forensic Science Course?
Forensic can be learned at UG i.e. undergraduate and PG i.e. postgraduate level. At the undergraduate level, it is a three to four year course while at the postgraduate level; it is a two year programme. After completing your master’s degree, you can also pursue a doctorate in this field.
The candidates can pursue undergraduate courses such as B.Tech (IT Security and Forensics) and B.Sc. after the completion of class 12th. They can opt for a M.Sc. followed by PhD if they wish to add more wings to their knowledge and want to have an upper hand in their respective fields.
Forensic Science Courses:
While there is a wide range of courses available in the domain, here we have mentioned some different types of courses that the students can opt for. Candidates can have a look at these elaborated details regarding the courses and make the choice accordingly. The courses are given below:
1. Bachelor in Forensic Science:
Bachelor of Science in Forensic is a program of 3 years. The degree mainly focuses on crime-laboratory based professions. It not only offers theoretical knowledge to the students but also focuses on inculcating practical skills in them for their overall growth. During the course, you will be studying subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Law, and Methods of Forensic Investigation. Along with this it also helps them to acquire the necessary skills in the fields of molecular biology, chemistry, and toxicology.
Under this program, through various Lab techniques and evidence collection techniques, the students get to know and learn about the crimes, and crime sites along with the techniques & tools that are used in solving crimes.
Types of B.Sc. Forensic Course:
Candidates looking for admission to the course can opt for the Distance and Full-time mode.
- Full time Course: Though there are so many best institutes offering full-time courses, the top ones are Punjab University, All India Institute of Medical Science, University of Delhi, Amity University, etc.
- Distance Course: While most of the public universities offer this course in full-time mode only some private universities offer Distance Education too.
2. Master in Forensic Sciences:
M.Sc. is a 4 semester full-time postgraduate course. In their master’s degree, the candidates can choose any one specialization like Biology, Cyber Security, etc. depending on the criminal activity they wish to detect. Apart from these specializations the course also works on the Psychological development of the students so that they get a better understanding of a criminal’s mind and thus can help in investigation accordingly. After completion of the postgraduate course, the candidates can opt for professional roles such as police or forensic practice, the criminal or civil justice system, or research. This course helps potential scientists to learn the art of collecting, handling, and analyzing evidence.
3. PGD in Forensic Science:
Post Graduate Diploma is a program of 1 year duration. It deals with the application of science and psychology to the investigation of crimes. Candidates with a UG degree in Science/ Medicine/ Forensic / Pharmacy/ Law/ Engineering and Technology with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from any recognized institute can get admission to PGD. Candidates can be admitted on a merit base or can also appear for the relevant entrance exams. Even some colleges also conduct personal interviews for admissions. For example, PGCET is the most common entrance exam conducted for the Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science. Some of the top institutes offering PG diplomas are Banaras Hindu University, Bundelkhand University, SGT University, RIMT, etc.
4. PhD in Forensic Science:
PhD is a research-based course whose duration may range from 2 to 5 years. PhD Forensic Science focuses on the collection of physical evidence that would reveal the original cause of death. For pursuing PhD Forensic Science, the candidates must hold a postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline. The admission to this course is based on the score of the candidate in the entrance test along with his/her performance in the personal interview.
PhD Forensic Science mainly focuses on the study of the cause of death of human beings who die an unnatural death. Some of the subjects taught in PhD Forensic Science are Ethics and Research Methods in Forensic Science, Forensic and Information Technology, Introduction to Forensic Chemistry, etc.
5. M.Phil in Forensic Science:
Under M.Phil the students undertake research and thus explore their research potential and gain in-depth knowledge regarding the same. Under this course, the students have the special opportunity to be in touch with the top researchers and experts.
M.Phil aims at expanding student’s knowledge and practice of forensic science alongside developing science management and leadership capabilities. The course inculcates crucial skills like project and laboratory management, advanced scientific communication, ethics, innovation, and science business models.
Forensic Science Course Specializations:
It is a multidisciplinary sphere with various specializations serving different aspects of criminal investigations. Candidates can opt for any of the specializations available to them at their campus and pursue further studies in it. Some of the Forensic Science specializations are mentioned below:
- Molecule Biology,
- Ballistics,
- Botany,
- Toxicology,
- Clinical Medicine,
- Serology,
- Chemistry,
- Entomology,
- Forensic Psychology,
- Cytology.
How to get admission?
In order to get admission, candidates are required to have passed Class 12 with Science as a mandatory subject. However, most of the colleges offer admission based on merit, but students can also appear for the entrance examinations conducted every year whose scores are accepted by many universities across India. These entrance examinations test the candidates on the basis of analytical, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Some of the popular entrance tests are CUET, CUET PG, GATE, JEE Main, GPAT, AIFSET, NEST, CG PET, etc.
Forensic Course Subjects:
The subjects included in the list of forensic courses are skill development-based subjects. Acquiring theoretical knowledge is not enough for the candidates hence they must have practical knowledge as well. Therefore the forensic subjects include lab practices as well.
Some of the subjects of some Forensic Science courses are as follows:
- Introduction to Forensic Science.
- Environmental Science.
- English.
- Crime and Society.
- Chemistry.
- Law to Combat Crime.
- Physics.
- Criminal Law.
- Criminalistics.
- Technological Methods in Forensic.
- Dermatoglyphics.
- Zoology.
- Biology.
- Computer Science.
- Chemistry.
- Anthropology.
- Psychology.
- Introduction to Biometry.
- Economics.
- Forensic Ballistics.
- Science and Society of Forensic.
- Clinical Medicine in Forensics.
- Forensic Anthropology.
- Computer Investigations.
Why study FS Course?
With growing technology, the demand for Forensic experts is also increasing. The spectrum of these exerts includes the law enforcement agencies and private labs too. According to the estimates, this field is expected to grow by 14 percent in the next 4 years. If you have the desire to solve crimes but not being the police then FS will be your perfect choice.
If you are curious to know how these people work and what they exactly do. Then let us tell you, these experts solve criminal problems through scientific means even you will be amazed to know that you can testify as an expert in court as well. Along with this, you will also accommodate the police and will help them in collecting evidence. This journey will be a roller coaster ride for you but stay assured you will definitely love this. Careers in Forensic Science
After completion of the respective courses, the candidates based on their specialization can work wide range of organizations. For example, you can with law-enforcement agencies, hospitals, financial institutions, and educational institutions. And if you are a person who doesn’t want to work under someone then you can turn into a private investigator as well.
Forensic scientists are often hired by government agencies across India in various departments to help them solve various cases. Some of the government agencies that hire forensic scientists are given below:
- Intelligence Bureau,
- Government Forensic Labs,
- Government Hospitals,
- Police Department,
- Quality Control Bureau.
References:
- 1. https://www.shiksha.com/science/forensic-science-chp
- 2. https://www.careers360.com/courses/forensic-science-course
- 3. https://science.iupui.edu/academics/areas-of-study/forensics.html
- 4. https://collegedunia.com/courses/forensic-science/forensic-science-courses-after-12th