ABOUT FORENSIC SCIENCE COURSES

Forensic science is a branch of medical science which focuses on the application of scientific principles and techniques to the matters of criminal justice especially in terms of collection, examination, and analysis of physical evidences known as forensics.

Forensic scientists collect, preserve, and analyses scientific evidence during the course of an investigation. While some forensic scientists travel to the scene of the crime to collect the evidence themselves, others perform the laboratory role i.e. performing analysis on objects brought to them by other individuals.

This article aims at helping the students to choose the right course to embark their career in the field of forensic science.

COURSE FORMATS

In India, forensic science programs are available at undergraduate level, post graduate level and doctoral level. Thus, based on the ‘level’ of the academic degree, the courses can be classified into the following types –

• UG (Undergraduate) level courses
• PG (Postgraduate) level courses
• Doctoral level courses

Apart from that, there also exists no-credit forensic science programs as well as workshops related to this subject.

UG, PG and Doctoral Degrees – these are types of courses based on the ‘level’ of the Degree. If we analyses each type of Degree, we will be able to find that there exists multiple course type/format within each level.

Trouble grasping the above mentioned line? What I want to say is that UG level programs consist of certificate, Bachelor’s Degree and Diploma courses!

Similarly, PG level courses consist of PG Certificate, Master’s Degree and PG Diploma courses. Doctoral level programs consist of PhD programs!

LIST OF FORENSIC SCIENCE COURSES IN INDIA

UG COURSES (AFTER 12TH)

• B.Sc. in Forensic Science
• B.Tech. Computer Science (IT Security and Forensics)

PG COURSES (AFTER GRADUATION)

• M.Sc. in Forensic Science
• M.Sc. in Digital Forensics and Information Security
• M.Sc. in Forensic Odontology
• M.Sc. in Forensic Chemistry
• M.Tech. in Cyber Security and Incident Report
• M.Tech. in IT Security and Forensics
• PG Diploma in Forensic Document Examination
• PG Diploma in Fingerprint Science
• PG Diploma in Forensic Management
• PG Diploma in Forensic Accounting
• PG Diploma in Forensic Toxicology
• MBA in Finance (Forensic Accounting)

DOCTORAL DEGREE COURSES (AFTER MASTER’S)

• PhD in Forensic Science
• PhD in Digital Forensics
• PhD in Forensic Pathology
• PhD in Forensic Chemistry

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Undergraduate programs: 10+2 Science stream passed students are eligible to pursue undergraduate programs (B.Sc. and B.Tech.) mentioned above.

Postgraduate programs: Candidates must have completed relevant Bachelor’s Degree program in order to be considered to pursue PG courses.

Doctoral Degree programs: Candidates must have completed relevant Master’s Degree program in order to be considered to pursue Doctoral Degree courses.

Duration:-All the undergraduate programs are nearly 3-4 years where as post graduation courses hold a duration of around 2 years.

COLLEGES

Science, Engineering and PG Diploma programs are offered by numerous Government as well as Self Financed Colleges across India. Such Colleges are present across all major districts in a state.

Government colleges are known to charge relatively lower fees than their Self Financed counterparts.

Gujarat Forensic Sciences University is a popular Institutes offering forensic science programs in India. This institute offers exclusive forensic science programs.

ADMISSION PROCESS

Reputed institutes rely on merit based admission process. Such institutes make use of relevant entrance test to select deserving candidates. Some institutes are also known to conduct their own qualifying test in order to select deserving candidates.

Some other institutes are known to conduct direct as well as donation based admission process.

FEES

Fees charged for the academic program may vary from one institute to another. Course fees depends upon the following factors –

• Type of institute (Government, Private, Aided etc)
• Location of the college
• Status and rating of the college
• Scholarship status (of student, if applicable)

Government colleges are known to charge low fees. Average fees in private colleges could be anywhere between 60-100K INR per year.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Forensic science professionals have diverse job opportunities available in front of them. They have access to Government jobs, Private sector jobs and self-employment!

Let us talk about Government jobs first! Forensic science professionals are hired by law enforcement agencies, investigation agencies, tax authorities, forensic laboratories etc. Let us take a look at some of the main recruiters.

• Police Department
• Government Forensic Laboratories
• Income Tax Department
• Commercial Tax Department
• Crime Branch
• Intelligence Bureau
• CBI
• Armed Forces
• Government Hospitals
• Government Banks and Finance Institutes

Forensic experts are hired by private investigation agencies, security agencies, consultancies, law firms and detective agencies. If you want to remain self-employed, you may start your own agency or consultancy service.

In the above mentioned firms, you may perform roles such as –

• Forensic Expert
• Forensic Scientist
• Investigative Officer
• Forensic Accountant
• Laboratory In-Charge
• Laboratory Assistant
• Law Expert
• Cyber Forensic Expert

SALARY

Starting salary of a Forensic Science professional depends upon a number of factors. Some of the prominent factors are –

• Institute from which the candidate completed the course
• His/her specialization
• The domain he/she has chosen
• Job location
• Status of the employer (Government/Private)

On an average, starting salary could be anywhere between 50-80K INR per month. In case of a Government job, the salary will be as per the pay scale and grade.

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