Gauri Chabbra
A forensic scientist is first a scientist. When he applies his scientific knowledge to assist juries, attorneys, and judges in understanding science, he is a forensic scientist.
Forensic science is the very edifice of modern day judicial system wherein a forensic scientist works in close coordination to find out evidence and show the same to courts and helps in solving the case with legally acceptable evidence. In order to reach on to some conclusion a forensic scientist applies various scientific methods and principles in the investigation of criminal cases. Moreover, a keen analysis of the clues collected from a crime scene is fundamental for forensic scientists.
Scope:
Forensic Science is both deep and wide in its scope. It involves collecting materials from the crime spot and taking the same to crime laboratory, gathering all clues and converting them into evidences which are admissible in court is the crucial job of a forensic scientist. As a forensic scientist, you may also be asked to gather physical evidences like blood, saliva, hair, impressions of tyres or shoes, finger prints, foot prints, so that the same can be used in furtherance of reaching to some decision on the crime. You may also be expected to work over time, spend lots of time in investigation, be prepared for scrutinizing the evidence found at the crime spot and do manyother duties.
Getting in:
The first step that will give you an edge over others is taking up Medical stream. However, forensic science course is also open for students of BA and BSc who can do post- graduation in forensic sciences. Those who are MBBS can specialize in forensic science and become eligible for doing post mortem on dead bodies. Law students can do various diploma or certificate courses offered in forensic science and can work in Research and Analysis Wing, or crime branch of state police or CBI or Intelligence Bureau.
Various merit based scholarships or discounts on fees are offered to outstanding students studying forensic science. Besides, there is fellowship program offered to students interested in studying forensic science which is sponsored by the Bureau of Police Research and Development and lasts for three years. The eligibility criterion for the fellowship is that candidates should either have a 1st or 2nd class Master’s Degree in Science or should have passed the UGC conducted CSIR examination. Additionally, the candidate should either be registered or get themselves registered in a course in an Indian University of repute and that too within three months of the announcement of the fellowship.
Career Scape:
There is a plethora of career options in Forensic Science. Most of the job prospects for forensic scientists are in government sector, particularly in various law enforcement agencies such as police, legal system, the investigative services of the central government and state governments. However, some private agencies too offer job opportunities to those who have some qualification in the field.
A major chunk of trained forensic scientists are hired by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), etc. Another interesting career, rather the most attractive option for forensic scientists is teaching in institutes which impart education in forensic science.Besides working with police as investigative officers, forensic scientists have plenty of other career options including that of specializing in subjects such as medicine, engineering, fingerprinting, insect study, languages, geology, and can work as expert consultants to expand their employability. Freelance jobs for forensic scientists specializing in one segment can be attractively paying. However, there is no doubt about the fact that the market of private employment is limited for forensic science expert and most of the jobs are only in criminal cells of the police department. Forensic scientists possessing expertise in law can work as legal counselors.
Forensic Pathologists: Forensic pathologists determine the time and cause of death in cases of suspected murder or suicide.
Forensic Anthropologists: Those who have a PhD in Anthropology or medical degree with forensic science can work as forensic anthropologists who help in identification of individuals murdered or killed in disasters i.e. plane crashes, explosions, fires, and give testimony to the age, sex, ancestry, stature and unique features of the deceased persons.
Forensic Psychologists:
Professionals with a degree in psychology can work as forensic psychologists wherein they assist a court or other fact finders in arriving at a just or correct decision.
Clinical Forensic Medicine Experts:
Such professionals possess medical degree and post graduate degree or diploma and work as the examiner of victims of crime and suspects who may have sustained injuries while allegedly committing a crime and reach to specific conclusions pertinent to the crime and timing.
Forensic Serology Experts:
These professionals work as analyst and analyze blood groups, blood, and other bodily fluids and do DNA fingerprinting to arrive at a conclusion.
Forensic Chemists:
Those who have science degree and specialization in applied or forensic chemistry can work as forensic chemists wherein they help in the detection and identification of illicit drugs, accelerants used in arson cases, explosive and gunshot residues, trace evidence, including paint, glass, polymers and fibers, etc.
Dactyloscopists:
The most commonly known work of Dactyloscopists is to study fingerprints received from the scene of crime and link them with suspects.
Forensic linguists:
These professionals analyze the content of written or oral communication and identify criminals particularly in cases of kidnapping where they help in zeroing in on the criminal.
Institute Watch:
* Institute of Criminology & Forensic Science, New Delhi
* University of Lucknow
* Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, Delhi
* Dr.Harisingh Gour Vishwa Vidyalaya, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
* University of Delhi,
* Anna University, Chennai,
* Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad
* Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh,
* Central Forensic Laboratory, Kolkata
Going Global:
Students can explore career in forensic science in the USA and other developed countries where the requirements of such professionals is much more than in India. White collar crimes are being solved by forensic scientists and the US needs a number of such professionals to fulfill the requirement. Forensic Scientists from India can work as medical examiner, crime laboratory analyst, crime scene examiner, forensic engineer, and language expert and evidence enhancerby portraying psychological profiles of habitual offenders as well as doing the analysis of crime scenes and the like.
So, in case Crime Patrol excites you, script a career in Forensic Sciences.
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