" Every contact leaves a trace."
- Edmond Locard
Edmond Locard, known as the "Sherlock Holmes of France," is also the Father of Modern Forensic Science. Did the Sherlock Holmes part catch your interest?
Did you grow up being fascinated by the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) shows, where invariably, the Forensic Scientist hands in the results and the case takes a new turn? That can actually be your reality!
From CID to CSI, a Forensic Scientist plays an important role in the plotline of all these shows, you can play such a role and help fight crimes, if not in reel life, definitely in the real one.
Let's investigate, what exactly is Forensic Science and how can you go about being a Forensic Scientist.
What is Forensic Science?
Forensic Science is a sub-discipline, where the knowledge of natural and physical sciences is utilised in matters of criminal law, and at times, civil law.
Don't get fooled by the word sub-discipline as the world of Forensic Science in itself is large enough.
Let's take a look at some of the main areas of Forensic Science:
- Forensic Anthropology: It involves the study of bones and related structures to determine the identity of the deceased and/ or the cause of death.
- Forensic Odontology: Involves identification using dentition. Being the strongest part of the human body, the tooth generally survives to give up a lot of information long after death.
- Forensic Pathology: These professionals perform an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. They also examine injury patterns and look for possible poisoning, that's where the next professional comes in.
- Forensic Toxicology: A Forensic Toxicologist analyses and identifies the presence of drugs and poisons in the body.
So, let's get digging into the degrees required to become a Forensic Scientist.
Forensic Science Courses:
B.Sc in Forensic Science is the most sought-after degree after students complete their 10+2 or equivalent examinations. The details of the course are mentioned below:
| Course Name | Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Forensic Science |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Eligibility | Must have passed 10+2 with Biology, Physics, and Chemistry as compulsory subjects, with minimum aggregate marks from a recognised board. |
Although the B.Sc Forensic Science scope is colossal, there are other alternatives as well as higher degrees that one can take up.
Other Courses to Pursue for a Career in Forensic Science:
Listed below are some degrees and diploma courses a candidate can look out for, besides a B.Sc degree for Forensic Scientist.
Diploma courses:
The course is generally of 6 months. A few of the courses are named below.
- Diploma in Forensic Medicine
- Advanced Diploma Course Certification in Forensic Sciences and Criminology
- Diploma in Fingerprint Examination
Undergraduate Courses:
Like B.Sc, the other undergraduate courses last for 3 years and have the same eligibility criteria.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminology
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Forensic Sciences, Chemistry & Genetics
Postgraduate courses:
- Master of Science (M.Sc) in Forensic Sciences
- Master of Science (M.Sc) in Forensic Science and Criminology
- Master of Science (M.Sc) in Forensic Psychology
- Post Graduate (PG) Diploma in Forensic Science
All the above-mentioned courses have a duration of 2 years. Candidates can pursue them after the completion of their undergraduate degrees. The PG Diploma course duration is 1 year.
Top Forensic Science Colleges in Karnataka:
Listed below are some of the top colleges in Karnataka to grab that degree for a Forensic Scientist.
| Institute | Courses Offered |
| Jain University, Bangalore |
|
| Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bangalore | Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) (Hons.) Forensic Science |
| Garden City University, Bangalore |
|
| R.R. Institute of Management Studies, Bangalore |
|
| College of Allied Health Sciences, Srinivas University, Mangalore |
|
Scope of Forensic Sciences:
Forensic Science jobs are in plenty and in high-demand as court cases get built upon solid forensic evidence. A Forensic Scientist works both in the field and in forensic laboratories. Their responsibilities range from evidence gathering to analysing them.
B.Sc Forensic Science scope increases by leaps and bounds when the candidate pursues higher degrees in the field.
Both government and private sectors have openings for Forensic Science job roles. There are certain skill sets that provide one with a competitive advantage in this profession.
Some of them are as follows:
- An eye for detail
- Good laboratory skills
- Good analytical skills
- Strong technical skills
Top Recruiters:
Listed below are some leading recruiters to kickstart Forensic Science careers.
- Intelligence Bureau (IB)
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Private Detective Agencies
- Quality Control Bureau
- Law Firms
- Central Government Forensic Science Labs
The scope of Forensic Science gets all the more interesting with the job roles on offer and the lucrative Forensic Scientist salary.
Job Roles:
Keep an eye out for the following forensic science jobs:
- Forensic Scientist
- Forensic Medical Examiner
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Forensic Analyst
- Investigative Officer
- Crime Reporter
- Researcher
- Forensic Engineer
- Handwriting Expert
Forensic Science Salary:
The Forensic Scientist salary is dependent on the experience level. At an entry-level, with less than a year of experience, one can expect an average annual salary of Rs. 3,97,000. For someone with 1-4 years of experience, the annual salary would be around Rs. 5,14,000.
Conclusion:
The scope of Forensic Science is vast and the job in itself is interesting enough to get its own characters on television.
Start applying to the top colleges in Bangalore for flourishing Forensic Science careers.
