Riding the Forensic Wave
One of the career options that occupies a broad surface area is that of Forensic Sciences. From firearms to blood pattern analysis, from psychological testing to DNA sampling, the world of forensic science offers numerous career paths for those who are interested in pursuing a fascinating career.
Let us understand what Forensic Sciences is and the career options it entails.
Forensic Science is all about the application of scientific knowledge and methodology to legal problems and criminal investigations. It is actually a vast and diverse subject which comprises various fields of science such as chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, social science, geology, psychology, etc. Forensic Scientists use their forensic acumen in the collection, preservation, and examination of physical evidence during an investigation. Commonly, forensic science can pick up fingerprints from a crime scene and investigate who actually committed the crime from the information gathered. Other samples such as blood can be tested in the lab to detect a crime.
Forensic science experts thus have a crucial role to play in the modern-day judiciary. They analyze evidence using scientific procedures and principles to deduce facts that are legally valid in the Court of Law. They play a key role in ensuring that the original form of evidence is retained during gathering and transfer. This is because even slight tampering of evidence can alter the results of the forensic analyses significantly.
Some forensic scientists focus on biological and life sciences to help those in the legal world understand what happened in a particular situation. These scientists can often be found in laboratory or other investigative settings, where they closely examine a variety of evidence. Other forensic scientists focus on the behavioral sciences; specifically, they look at the psychology behind certain criminal behaviors. There are others who focus on cyber crimes, they are Cyber Forensic Experts.
Course Cursor:
B.Sc. in Forensic Science
The basic criterion of eligibility needed to be met for admission to the course is a Higher Secondary (10+2) or equivalent qualification from a recognized Board, with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and/ or Math as main subjects and a minimum aggregate score of 55%. However, a few private universities in India conduct their own entrance tests for evaluating and admitting students to the course.
Bachelor’s degree program is a 3- 4 years degree program with an average of 120 semester credit hours of work. The course curriculum includes subjects like Criminal Procedure and Evidence, Crime Victim Studies, Constitutional Issues in Criminal Procedures, Fingerprint Analysis, Crime Scene Investigation, and Theories of Crime Causation.
M.Sc. in Forensic Science or PG Diploma in Forensic Science
Master’s degree in forensic science prepares the individuals for advanced positions within the forensic science industry. It typically consists of core subjects like drug analysis, criminalistics, biological evidence, DNA analysis, trace evidence, Blood splatter patterns, and toxicology.
A graduate in microbiology, biochemistry, zoology, chemistry, physics, applied science, botany or medicine can pursue a Master’s degree in Forensic Science. Even law students can pursue a career in forensic science by completing a suitable certificate or diploma course. Students have the option to choose between different specializations – forensic physics, forensic medicine, forensic biology, forensic pathology, forensic chemistry, and much more according to what interests them. It’s also possible to become a Forensic Scientist with an MBBS background. After an MBBS, you can pursue an MD in Forensic Science.
Ph.D. in Forensic Science
If you wish to get into teaching or research, a doctorate degree is mandatory. Core subjects include Forensic Instrumental Analysis, Advanced Forensics, Physical Evidence Concepts, Controlled Substance Analysis, Forensic Laboratory Management, and Research Design in Forensic Science, Pattern, and Law and Forensic Sciences. To join the doctoral courses aspirants have to complete his/her master’s degree and have to get at least a 3.0 GPA. An aspirant can pursue his/her specialization course in the fields like Forensic Biology, Forensic Serology, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Toxicology, Forensic Ballistics, Forensic Entomology, Forensic Botany in the Forensic science field.
Institutescape:
- FS Indian Education Department, Pune
- Lady Harding Medical College, New Delhi
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
- Institute of Forensic Science, Mumbai
- Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology & Forensic Science (LNJN NICFS), New Delhi
- Institute of Forensic Sciences (Gujarat Forensic Sciences University), Gandhi Nagar
- Centre for Cyber Forensics and Information Security (University of Madras), Chennai
- Government Institute of Forensic Science, Aurangabad
- St. Xavier’s College (University of Mumbai), Mumbai
- Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), New Delhi
- Institute of Forensic Science & Criminology (Panjab University), Chandigarh
- Amity University (Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences)
Career Pathways:
This is one field where there is a scope of employment in both the private as well as the government sectors. Successful graduates can find work in both government and private agencies, in hospitals and laboratories. Some corporate organizations hire graduates as Document Experts.
Other areas include:
- anti-terrorist operations
- mass disaster- management
- cybercrime investigation
- protection of human rights
- environment
- consumer
- intellectual property rights.
Almost all government hospitals and police departments employ forensic experts. The most common government investigative agencies that hire forensic professionals in large numbers are that of CBI, RAW, IB, and the state police departments. Other than these, there are many more other job roles from various areas such as civil services, banks, police, pharmaceutical industry, paint industry, clinical research, biotechnology, and software. Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) across India hire forensic scientists.
After having completed the necessary qualifications, you can choose to work as a crime scene investigator. In case you are interested in working in a more specialized area, you may want to be a trace evidence analyst or a forensic pathologist. Most of the job-specific skills that are required for this are learned as and when one is working. As you already have an MD degree, you may choose to work as a teacher, reviewer or reformer of law as well. Criminal rehabilitation is another area where there are a lot of employment opportunities for qualified personnel. In case you are interested in the legal side of forensic medicine, you may choose to look for employment in that sector as well.
Riding the tech wave- Cyber Forensics
With the technology wave disrupting the way we interact with each other and do businesses, there is a growing need for professionals who can help organizations prevent cyber attacks. Besides, the cryptocurrency fever has brought about a new form of crypto mining activities that have triggered cybercrime. Cryptominers steal power usage for computer processing from enterprises and consumers to mine cryptocurrencies. This new form of cybercrime involving cryptocurrencies can slow down devices, overheat batteries and in rare cases, render devices inoperative. These kinds of cyber crimes bring about an upsurge in jobs in cyber forensics.
Cyber Forensics or Computer Forensics is the application of Computer Science for assisting in the legal and criminal justice system. In case you are a graduate in Computer Science, Information Technology or Computer Applications, you are most eligible for Cyber Forensics courses. A Cyber Forensics professional needs to pursue a post-graduation in Cyber Forensics or a certification in Information or Cyber Security.
Cyber Forensics Courses in India
- IFS Forensic Science Education, Pune
- Gujarat Forensic Sciences University
- Indian School of Ethical Hacking
- IIIT Delhi (Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology)
Some typical examples of jobs in cyber forensics are Computer Forensics Investigator, Computer Forensics Technician, Digital Forensics Specialist, Computer Forensics Analyst, Computer Forensics Specialist etc.
Professionals trained in Cyber Forensics can also provide training and education to students in various private and public colleges. Additionally, they also have a shot at bagging a job at one of the many Central Forensic Science Laboratories located in PAN India.
Summing up:
The rising level of demand for forensic science professionals has been correlated with the meteoric rise of technological solution prominence across nearly all industries. Forensic information will be far more accessible and actionable with the assistance of cutting edge technological developments, making those who specialize in collecting said information more valuable to their employing organizations by default.
This makes the Forensic Scientists, whichever branch they choose to specialize in, at a career escalator.
