Introduction of Forensic Science
Forensic science is a risk factor for modern day judicial system whereby a forensic scientist employ in close co-ordination to search out evidence and display the similar to courts and helps in solving the case with legally acceptable evidence. In order to attain on to some conclusion a forensic scientist applies different scientific methods and principles in the investigation of criminal cases. Moreover, a keen analysis of the clues taken from a crime scene is basic for forensic scientists.
Gathering materials from the crime spot and picking the same to crime laboratory, collecting all clues and changing them into evidences which are admissible in court is risk job of a forensic scientist. He may be asked to gather physical evidences such as blood, saliva, hair, footprints, impressions of tires or shoes, fingerprints, etc so that the same can be used in furtherance of reaching to some conclusion on the crime. Besides criminal investigation there are other choice including teaching and crime reporter for the eligible forensic professionals.
Various Roles, various Names
Forensic Pathologists: Forensic pathologists ensure the time and cause of death in cases of suspected suicide or murder.
Forensic Anthropologists: Those candidates who have a PhD in Anthropology or medical degree with forensic science can employ as forensic anthropologists who facilitate in identification of persons killed or murdered in disasters i.e. explosions, plane crashes, fires, etc and give testimony to the age, ancestry, sex, stature and unique features of the deceased individual.
Forensic Psychologists: Professionals with a degree in psychology can employ as forensic psychologists whereby they help a court or other factor finders in incoming at a just or right decision.
Forensic Serology Experts: These professionals employ as analyst and analyze blood groups, blood, and different bodily fluids and make DNA fingerprinting to make a conclusion.
Dactyloscopists: The most commonly known job of Dactyloscopists is to learn fingerprints received from the scene of crime and link them with suspects.
Clinical Forensic Medicine Experts: Such professionals endure medical degree and post graduate degree or diploma and employ as the examiner of victims of crime and assume who may have sustained injuries whereas allegedly committing against a crime and reach to specific conclusions pertinent to the crime and temporal order.
Forensic Chemists: Those candidate who have science degree and specialization in applied or forensic chemistry will employ as forensic chemists whereby they assist within the detection and recognition of illicit drugs, trace proof, explosive and gunshot residues, accelerants utilized in arson cases, containing paint, polymers, glass, and fibers, etc.
Forensic linguists: These experts analyze the content of written or speech communication and determine criminals particularly in cases of capture where they assist in zeroing in on the criminal.
Toxicologist: Professionals with eligibility in chemistry or organic chemistry add to assist police in the detection and identification of pharmaceutical drugs and poisons, poisonous substance levels, etc. in body.
Market Watch
Moreover working with police as investigative officers, forensic scientists have a lot of other career choice including that of specializing in subjects like medicine, engineering, insect study, fingerprinting, geology, languages, etc and can employ as expert consultants to develop their employability. Freelance works for forensic scientists specialising in 1 segment can be attractively paying. Yet, there is no doubt about the very fact that the market of personal employment is restricted for forensic science expert and most of the works are only in criminal cells of the police department. Forensic scientists have possessed expertise in law can employ as legal counselors.
International Focus
Candidates can explore career in forensic science in the USA and other advanced countries where the needs of such professionals is much more than in India. White collar crimes are being solve by the forensic scientists and the US require a number of such professionals to fulfill the need. Forensic Scientists from India can employ as medical examiner, crime scene examiner, crime laboratory analyst, forensic engineer, and language expert and evidence enhancer by portraying psychological profiles of habitual criminals as well as done the analysis of crime scenes, etc.
Positives/Negatives
Though there are several job choice for forensic scientists, the major flaw of creating a career in it is that most of the occupations come from the government and if someone fails to get a work within a given age there are not many choice for such an individual; so, it seems a tad risky. The job profile or nature of work is tiring which can pick toll on the forensic scientist. Working odd and long hours can be tough. The job of a forensic scientist hovers around the crime scenes which may at times be rickful and emotionally draining. However, risk and emotional distress are part of almost every work so these cannot be considered a constraint to employ as forensic scientist.
On the positive accepts, though, the job is extremely satisfying as one helps in the flow of justice.
Step-by-Step
Medical science candidates have higher advantage in becoming forensic scientists as a significant portion or part of the subject is related to medical science and analysis. However, forensic science course is also open for candidates of BA and B.Sc. who can be done post graduation in forensic sciences. Those who are MBBS can specialize in forensic science and become qualify for do post-mortem on dead bodies. Law candidates can do different diploma or certificate courses provided in forensic science and can employ in Research and Analysis Wing, or CBI or Intelligence Bureau or crime branch of state police.
Is it the Right Career ?
Any decision on career must not be taken impulsively; rather, a thorough analysis of different pros and cons of it must be done to avoid future hostility. Job profile, inherent risks, nature of job, future growth prospects, comparable advantages, etc must be taken into consideration when analysis is done. Forensic science needs handling lots of pressure from different sides e.g. police, administration, judiciary, etc. And also, a forensic scientist is expected to employ in overtime, spend several times in investigation, be prepared for scrutinizing the proof found at the crime place and do the lot of other duties.
Pay Packet
The most of the works in forensic science are in government stream salaries are strictly based on the structure and pay scale. By the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission accepted by the government, the salaries are sky-high. Moreover, those who have postgraduate eligibility in forensic science get very high salaries. Private laboratories provide handsome salaries to experienced students.
What would it Cost ?
A specialization course in forensic science in India price between Rs two lakhs to three lakhs and most of it is paid towards laboratory fee which is a pertinent feature of the learn. Fee may change depending upon the rating of the college. Forensic Science courses in Central Universities are provided at low fees. Students from reserved categories like SC and ST as well physically handicapped are given more discount on fees.
Funding/Scholarship
Different merit based scholarships or discounts on fees are provided to outstanding candidates studying forensic science. Moreover, there is fellowship programme given to candidates interested in studying forensic science which are sponsored by the Bureau of Police Research and Development and lasts for 3 years.The qualification criterion for the fellowship is that students should either have a first or second class Master’s Degree in Science or must have passed the UGC organized CSIR examination. Along with that, the student must either be registered or gain themselves registered in a course in an Indian University of famous and that too within 3 months of the announcement of the fellowship.
Job Prospects
Most of the job opportunities for forensic scientists are in government stream, particularly in different enforcement agencies like legal system, police,the investigative services of the state government and central governments. However, some private agencies too given job prospects to those who have some qualification in the zone.
A main chunk of trained forensic scientists are hired by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Intelligence Bureau (IB), etc. Another liked career, rather the most attractive choice for forensic scientists is teaching in institutes which signify education in forensic science.
Demand and Supply
With significant enhance in crime rate and criminals have become even smarter than cops and judges, the duty of forensic scientists has raised exponentially and India is facing an extra shortage of forensic scientists who can assist courts in deciding the criminal cases. Though the work of a forensic scientist is demanding, lack of talented professionals signifies that there are several of potential for youngsters. Agreeing upon the fact that India has scaricity of forensic scientists, it does not mean that anyone with average talent can get a job in forensic science departments of government agencies as it needs confident and talented professionals.
Tips for Getting Hired
Display the mental strength and capability to solve emotional distress or control on situation as these are the fundamental traits needed in a forensic scientist.
Earning an internship helps in securing oneself a employment as most of the organizations prefer someone who has practical exposure in forensic science. There could also be little stipend during internship but you must try to see it as a learning phase for better career ahead.
Working as trainee forensic scientist or forensic laboratory technicians might be good start.
Popular Institutes
| Anna University, Chennai, | University of Lucknow |
| Central Forensic Laboratory, Kolkata | Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad |
| Institute of Criminology & Forensic Science, New Delhi | Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar. |
| University of Delhi, | Dr.Harisingh Gour Vishwa Vidyalaya, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh |
| Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, Delhi | Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh |
