Science Forensic Science

Forensic Science

Updated on May 17, 2022 05:38 IST

Out of the many disciplines of science that you could pursue a career in forensic science is the one you should go for if you have a knack for solving or investigating crimes. It is also known as criminalistics and it makes science applicable to certain legal and civil laws to solve crime. Being a multidisciplinary subject, it has aspects of biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, social sciences, etc. The term forensic is derived from the Latin word ‘’forensic’’ which translates to “of or before the forum”.

There are a lot of ethical implications in this field as it deals with science and law. It is also an extremely interesting and adventurous domain to opt for. There are several governments as well as private colleges that provide you with courses in Forensic Science. Some of these colleges are Punjab University, Anna University (Chennai), Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) (Delhi), University of Delhi, Amity University, etc.

In order to work in this field, you should have a focused mind with keen observation and analysis skills being a necessary aspect. Good communication skills and the ability to work well in a team are also required for Forensic Science.

Table of Contents

Courses in Forensic Science
Specialization Courses Offered
- 2.1 Eligibility Criteria for courses in Forensic Science
- 2.2 Duration of courses in Forensic Science
- 2.3 Fees of Courses in Forensic Science
Syllabus of courses in Forensic Science
Career in Forensic Science
Recruiters for Forensic Scientist
- 5.1 Pay Scale of Forensic Scientists
FAQs for Forensic Science

Courses in Forensic Science

You can go for Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate, Diploma and Certificate courses in the field of Forensic Science. The courses include:

Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science	Master of Science in Forensic Sciences
PG Diploma in Forensic Science	PhD in Forensic Science
M.Phil. in Forensic Science

Specialization Courses Offered

There are various specializations that one can take up while opting for Forensic Science. The available specialization courses are listed below:

Forensic Biology	Forensic Serology
Forensic Ballistics	Forensic Chemistry
Forensic Botany	Forensic Entomology
Forensic Toxicology	Forensic Psychology
Clinical Forensic Medicine	Cytology
Dactyloscopy

Eligibility Criteria for courses in Forensic Science

The list of courses in Forensic Science along with their eligibility criteria are listed below:

Course	Eligibility Criteria
B.Sc.(Forensic Science)	Eligibility: 10+2 with a minimum aggregate of 70% in the science stream.
B.Sc.(Hons.)(Forensic Science)	Eligibility: 10+2 with a minimum aggregate of 70% in the science stream.
M.Sc.(Forensic Sciences)	Eligibility: A graduate degree in science with relevant subjects from a recognised board and should have secured a minimum of 55% marks.
M.Sc.(Forensic Science and Criminology)	Eligibility: A graduate degree in science with relevant subjects.
M.Sc.(Information Security and Cyber Forensics)	Eligibility: A graduate degree in science with relevant subjects.
PhD (Disciplines of Forensic Sciences)	Eligibility: Post Graduation degree in the field.
M.D.(Forensic Medicine and Toxicology)	Eligibility: M.B.B.S. or B.D.S. degree in relevant subjects.
Advanced Diploma Course Certification in Forensic Sciences and Criminology	Eligibility: A graduation degree in the relevant field with an aggregate of 50% marks.
Diploma in Document Examination	Eligibility: 10+2 pass
Diploma in Fingerprint Examination	Eligibility: 10+2 pass
Post Graduate Diploma in Cyber Crime Investigation and Computer Forensics	Eligibility: A graduation degree in the relevant field.
Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology	Eligibility: A graduation degree in the relevant field.
Certificate Course in Forensic Science	Eligibility: 10+2 with interest in the relevant field.
Certificate Course in the Basics of Diet Therapy	Eligibility: 10+2

Duration of courses in Forensic Science

The duration of courses in Forensic Science ranges from three years to a few months depending on the type of course that you have opted for. Below is the list and duration of full time, diploma and certificate courses in Forensic Science:

Full-time degree Courses in Forensic Science

Course	Course Duration
B.Sc.(Forensic Science)	3 years
B.Sc.(Hons.)(Forensic Science)	3 years
M.Sc.(Forensic Sciences)	2 years
M.Sc.(Forensic Science and Criminology)	2 years
M.Sc.(Information Security and Cyber Forensics)	2 years
PhD (Disciplines of Forensic Sciences)	3 years
M.D.(Forensic Medicine and Toxicology)	2 years

Diploma Courses in Forensic Science:

Course	Course Duration
Advanced Diploma Course Certification in Forensic Sciences and Criminology	6 months
Diploma in Document Examination	6 months
Diploma in Fingerprint Examination	6 months
Post Graduate Diploma in Cyber Crime Investigation and Computer Forensics	1 year
Post Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology	1 year

Certificate Courses in Forensic Science:

Course	Course Duration
Certificate Course in Forensic Science	1 year
Certificate Course in the Basics of Diet Therapy	6 months

Fees of Courses in Forensic Science

Different colleges have a different fee structure for the various courses provided in the field of Forensic Science.

Bachelor’s course in Forensic Science is a three-year course with average fees ranging from INR 30,000 to 2,00,000.
Master’s course in Forensic Science is a 2-year course with the average fees ranging from INR 20,000 to 2,00,000.
PhD in Forensic Science is a three-year course with average fees charged ranging from 45,000 to 1,50,000.

Syllabus of courses in Forensic Science

There are mostly skill development based subjects in Forensic Science. Apart from theoretical knowledge, it is necessary for the person to have practical knowledge as well. Thereby, all subjects include lab practices. The syllabus of some courses in Forensic Science includes:

B.Sc.(Forensic Science): The subjects included are Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Behaviour, Law and Criminal Behaviour, Introduction to Forensic Science, Crime and Socio-Cultural and Psychological Factors, English, Blood Analysis, Blood Pattern Analysis, Benzidine Test, Species Identification, Grouping, Behavioural Science, Introduction to Toxicology, Spectrophotometry, etc.
M.Sc.(Forensic Sciences): The subjects include Forensic, Crime and Investigative Techniques, Questioned Documents, DNA isolation, DNA profiling, Forensic Ballistics, Fingerprints and Impressions, Forensic Photography, Forensic Toxicology, Forensic Pharmacology, Forensic Biology, Forensic Physics, Forensic Serology, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Photography and Dissertation.
M.D.(Forensic Medicine and Toxicology): The subjects included are Basics of Medical Science, Autopsy Case, Procedure, Injury Case, Sexual Offence Case, Interpretations, Observations, Making of Report, Age Determination Case, Spots, Poisons, Weapons, Slides, Bones, X-ray films, Forensic Toxicology, Forensic Medicine and Forensic Medicine.
Advanced Diploma Course Certification in Forensic Sciences and Criminology: The subjects included are General Forensic Science, Crime Law, Criminology, Fingerprint Science, Forensic Toxicology, Drug of Abuse, Documents, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Computer Forensics, Forensic Audio and Video Analysis, Case File Projects, Advanced DNA Methods, Microbiology and Biochemistry.
Diploma in Fingerprint Examination: The subjects included are Introduction to Science of Fingerprint, Fingerprint Development Techniques, Fingerprint Record and Taking, Identification and Comparison of Fingerprints, Computer-Aided Techniques that involve identification, Comparison and Analysis of Fingerprints.

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Career in Forensic Science

There are endless career prospects in Forensic Science. You can join the government, as well as private services. Some job profiles in the field of Forensic Science are listed below:

Forensic Expert	Investigative Officers
Crime Scene Investigator	Forensic Scientist
Teacher/Professors	Law Consultant
Crime Reporter	Forensic Engineer
Handwriting Expert	Fingerprint Expert
Forensic Linguists	Forensic Chemists
Forensic Pathologists	Forensic Anthropologists
Forensic Geologists	Forensic Photographer
Forensic Artists and Sculptors

Recruiters for Forensic Scientist

A few recruiters for Forensic Scientist are as under:

Intelligence Bureau(IB)	Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI)
Hospitals	Police Departments
Law Firms	Defence/Army
Central Govt. Forensic Sciences Labs	Private Detective Agencies
Quality Control Bureau	Banks
Universities

Pay Scale of Forensic Scientists

Forensic Science is a field that requires a lot of skills if you wish to succeed. Even if you are a fresher, you can yield a job with a salary ranging from INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000 Lacs per annum. However, this is a domain where you can polish your skills and gain enough experience to advance to a level where you may get a hike up to INR 6,00,000 to 8,00,000 Lacs per annum. You can also apply for jobs abroad. As much as it will benefit you economically, it will also help in your all-around development.

FAQs for Forensic Science

Q. Is pursuing a career in forensic science as fun as it sounds?

A. Be it from getting opportunities to working in state labs, IB, CBI, state and central Police, banks or many private firms, a career in a specialized field in Forensic Science can be highly rewarding. However, unless the candidate is not fully committed, counsellors and seniors advise pursuing a master’s course if not ready for a job in the field straight away.

Q. What is the scope of forensic science in India?

A. Given the crime rising in the nation and statistics going through the roof, the demand for professionals in the field is all the more required. From government labs to counsellors to investigations, the nation is in a dire need of forensic experts.

Q. Which books I can read to study Forensic Science?

Candidates can refer to the following renowned books for Forensic Science:

Physical Evidence in Forensic Science – Henry C
The Essentials of Forensic medicine & Toxicology – K.S.N Reddy
Forensic Science in Criminal Investigation & Trials – B R Sharma

Q. Which are the major subjects taught in BSc Forensic Science?

A. In BSc Forensic Science, a few of the subjects which are taught are:

Forensic Biology
Forensic Chemistry
Forensic Psychology
Cyber Forensics and Law

Q. What’s the difference between Forensic Science and Forensic Medicine?

A. Forensic Science is the parent course that has various sub-fields. While Forensic Science consists of Toxicology, Serology, Ballistics to Psychology, Forensic Medicine is a branch that deals in civil or criminal legal cases (investigation). Forensic Medicine is also known as Forensic Pathology.

Q. What does a Forensic Scientist do or what is the job description of a Forensic Scientist?

A. Forensic Science technicians or scientists typically work in crime labs and aid criminal investigations by collecting and analysing the available pieces of evidence. They assist in conducting post-mortem investigations, interpret blood spatter patterns, trace substances in the fluids and tissues of the body and more.

Q. Are there any other specialised forensic science careers outside the crime laboratory?

A. Yes, there are many more career options like one can apply for Forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, forensic psychiatry, forensic ontology, forensic engineering and so on.

Q. What are the basic skills and qualities required to be a Forensic Scientist?

A. Forensic Science technicians must have good investigating and research skills. They should possess qualities like strong communication skills, problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills. They should keep their composure, must be detail-oriented and good with Math & Science subjects.

Q. How long does it take to earn a forensic science degree?

A. In India, a bachelor level forensic degree might take up to three years. Moreover, a Postgraduate degree in Forensic Science is two years long in most of institutes.

Q. How do I get a job in forensics?

A. Grab a Bachelor of Forensic Science degree and then you can either start applying for jobs as freshers of Forensic Science, or you can pursue a Postgraduate degree first and then apply for jobs.

Q. How much does a Forensic Scientist earn?

A. As per the PayScale, the average salary of a Forensic Scientist in India is Rs 4.89 lakh per annum.

Popular Forensic Science Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Forensic Science Colleges in India. Learn more about these Forensic Science colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Kristu Jayanti CollegeKothanur, Bangalore

Admission '22 Placement Cutoff

Forensic Science Courses

2 Courses

Exams

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Total Fees

₹2.58 L - 2.59 L

Median Salary

₹5.12 - 6.1 LPA

Course Rating

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