Forensic Science Career Course Institutions in India and Abroad

Forensic Science
Forensic Science is rapidly progressing in the new millennium. The modern crime detection technique keeps the investigators one step ahead of criminals. The most important breakthrough has been the identification of the criminal as well as the victim whose body has been mutilated or is in an advanced state of decomposition.

Career prospects
The new area of computer crimes has also received due attention and with passage of new laws dealing with various aspects of information technology would enable the law enforcement agencies in detecting the computer crimes and catching the culprit. In most cases computer crimes involve financial frauds. In terms of clinical forensic medicine, forensic psychology is also gaining ground and playing a very important role not only in detection of crimes but also in correctional methodology and rehabilitation of perpetrators and victims. In terms of legal medicine per se, newer and newer laws are being enacted dealing with human body and biotechnology.

Various Areas Of Specialisation:
Forensic pathology - Forensic pathology is the application of the principles of pathology and medicine to the legal requirements of the investigating authority. They perform autopsies to determine the cause, manner and the time of death and work closely with the investigators in cases involving assault, homicide, accidents etc. A little-recognised role of the forensic pathologist is in areas of public health and safety and injury prevention.

Forensic dentistry - These professionals are involved in identification of deceased persons through dental remains, bite mark analysis and examination of oral facial structures for determination of injury, possible malpractice or insurance fraud.

Forensic psychiatry & behavioral science - A broad range of legal issues are addressed by forensic psychiatry and behavioral sciences like, the patient's competence to stand trial, determining the mental condition of the accused, juvenile delinquency, child custody, parental fitness, spouse abuse etc. The psychiatrist carefully examines the past, and the present mental functioning of the miscreant so as to predict probable behavioral patterns for the future. Experts in this field are called upon to put together the criminal profiles of the most wanted for the investigators to understand his mind and course of actions, which will aid in apprehending him.

Forensic anthropology - It is the anthropologist who is initially called in to identify the victim and confirm whether the remains are human or not. They determine sex, age, state of health, ancestral background, and identify indications of trauma if any. They recreate the face and history behind the unidentifiable human remains. Some are proficient in the art of facial reproduction, which involves the modeling of how a face may appear in the living subject with only the surviving reference of a skull.

Forensic toxicology - It is the study of the harmful effects of chemicals on living systems with emphasis on the conditions under which they occur. The first challenge he faces is often the immediate identification of the toxin in a limited sample of blood, urine or gastric contents which can go on to clinch the case.

Wildlife forensics - Poaching violations, the Endangered Species Act and the United Nations Convention on International trade in Endangered Species are some of the factors which helped create this new field. The identification of wildlife evidence is much more complicated as evidence is often in bits and pieces of the animal remains. These experts are often required to develop new species. identification characteristics though research and detailed documentation to build a case and testify in courts. This field also includes crime scene photography, crime scene response, evidence collection, arson investigation, study of firearms and ammunitions, toxins and document examination in cases of forgery.

Soft Skills: In order to make a career in this field one has to have a keen for details and very strong analytical skills and powers of observation. They should also have a logical bent of mind and should possess good communication skills in order to give comprehendible testimonies in court.

Qualification and Job Details : The candidates who want to qualify for the 2-year M.Sc. in Forensic Science should have a graduate degree in science with Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, Biochemistry, or Applied Sciences. The state forensic departments employ professionals through the state public service commission exam. The CBI's forensic laboratory in Delhi recruits candidates through the Union Public Service Commission exams. One can also be employed in the vigilance department or take up teaching in colleges offering criminology courses. To freelance, one needs a certification by the state forensics department. Assignments will include insurance claims, document registrations, forgery and other white-collar crimes.

Remuneration The various state forensics departments employ professionals to help the police in solving crimes and apprehending criminals. The CBI also employs these professionals on specific cases. The state department salaries begin around Rs. 4000 and increases according to the rank and years of experience. A freelancer in the field can charge according to requirements of the individual case. Experienced professionals can be employed in Law colleges and teach specialised subjects for psychology students.

Institutions : The state Forensics departments offer certificate courses in various fields of Forensic Sciences. These courses are recognised all over India and the students get ample hands on experience during their courses as they assist their seniors in handling and analysing the evidence.

Usefull website links :
www.copnet.org/prl/for.html - Links you to the American College of Forensic Examiners and also to sites on DNA fingerprinting, Forensic anthropology and Blood stain pattern analysis etc.
www.med.mun.ca/hsl/sites/subjects/forensic.htm - Provides links to the Forensic Science Society and private pages of Forensic enthusiasts from around the world.
www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/research/foscbib.html - Provides the names of books on specific and general career avenues in the field of Forensics and Crime lab technology.
www.criminalistics.com - Links to websites on Criminalistics and Forensic Scientists from around the world are hosted here.
www.osu.com.okstate.edu/forensic/webs-FS1.htm - Apart from information on the Department of Forensic Sciences in the College of Osteopathic Medicine the page also provides links to general and specialised areas in the field.
www.csusm.edu/CAC/law.htm - Extensive information on the various areas of employment within Forensic Sciences especially in America.

More Details.....

Forensic Science
For people at large, forensic scientists are those people who help police in solving difficuly cases by collecting and analysing even the most minute bits of evidence of a crime. To put it more precisely, Forensic Science is application of scientific knowledge to solves legal problems. It involves collection, examination and presentation of scientific evidence to solve crimes. The forensic scientists turn clues from crime scene into evidence admissible in court, using the latest technological advances. What's more, Forensic Science is used in a wide range of applications, from roadside blood alcohol testing to murder investigation. As the modus operandi of committing crimes is becoming more and more sophisticated, these experts have been forced to keep pace with the criminals in developing new techniques to catch them.

Forensic Science is broadly divided into three parts-medical,laboratoryand field services.But these are not strictly exclusive and may overlap whenever there arises a need to do so.Also,depending upon the nature and type of the crime and evidence collected,many forensic disciplines could be involved at the same time in detection of the crime. Field sciences generally include crime scene investigation of area like fire and explosion scene and secret drug laboratories. Medical services deal with pathology, psychiatry, psychology, forensic medicine and dentistry. Laboratory services include chemistry, biology, toxicology, ballistics, fingerprints and marks and impressions.

It is felt that clinical scientists make better scientists as the vast range of skills that are acquired and developed in their laboratries, easily get transferred to a forensic science laboratory.

Training in Forensic Science and criminology is available both through universities and specialised institutes at postgraduate level. Graduates in Science (preferably Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology, Biochemistry or Applied Sciences) are required for the M.Sc. and certificate courses. Graduation in Law (LL.B) is a must for diploma in Criminology and Criminal Administration. Master's degree in Psychology/ Social Work is essential if you want to get a Diploma in Guidance and Counselling. Courses are also available in many areas related to Forensic Science including chemistry, biology, serology, ballistics, toxicology, documentation and photography.

 The various avenues available in a typical Forensic Science Laboratory are as follows:

Medical Examiner:The applicants for this post must have a medical degree. The medical examiner gets the highest pay. One is required to handle dead bodies and their dissection. The forensic odontologist (related to dentistry) also requires a medical degree. These experts generally work as consultants.

Crime Laboratory Analyst:
The crime laboratory analysts command a decent pay, work in the lab with stable work hours. They also have to perform dissection of the dead bodies. For any of the specialities, a bachelor's degree in a natural science is required. The microanalysis section provides greater variety. So, if you are interested in DNA testing, then a degree in biology with genetics and biochemistry is required. The person who is interested in critical components of crime-busting operation such as trace evidence examination', a degree in chemistry with courses in optical mineralogy, micro-biology, botany and textile is the eligibility. At time, for the analysis of the evidence, the help of other specialists from areas like entomology, anthropology, zoology and botany etc., is taken.

Forensic Engineer:
The work of a forensic engineer is similar to crime scene examiner. This expert deals with cases arising out of traffic accidents, fire investigations and other such wrongful injury cases. Generally, these specialities include electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering and traffic engineering.

Crime Scene Examiner:
There are no fixed hours of working as the crime scene examiner has to carry out his work whenever and wherever the crime takes place. He has to be metally tough to be able to handle dead bodies and other misery situations. The eligibility criteria to become a crime scene examiner is a bachelor's degree either in a natural science with emphasis in law enforcement and crime scene processing or a criminal justice degree with emphasis in natural science.

COURSES IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
M.Sc in Forensic Science:
Duration: 2 years.
Eligibility: Graduates in Science (preferably physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, bio-chemistry or applied sciences).
Institutes:
Department of Forensic Science, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar University, Agra (UP); Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala (Punjab); Department of Forensic Science, University of Madras, Chennai (Tamil Nadu).

M.Sc. and M.A. in Forensic Science and Criminology:
Duration: 2 years.
Eligibility: Graduates in Science (preferably physics, chemistry, biology, bio-chemistry or applied sciences).
Institutes:
Department of criminology and Forensic Science. Dr. H. S. Gaur Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (Madhya Pradesh), Department of Criminology and Forensic Science,
Karnataka University,
Dharwad (Karnataka).

Certificate Course in Forensic Science:
Duration: 1 year
Eligibility: Graduates in Science (preferably physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, bio-chemistry or applied science).
Institute:
Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, New Delhi.

Diploma in Criminology and Criminal Administration:
Duration: 1 year.
Eligibility: Graduate in Law (LL.B.)
Institutes: Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh); University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

Diploma in Guidance and Counselling:
Duration: 6 months - 1 year.
Eligibility: Master's degree in Psychology/Social Work.
Institutes:
National Council for Educational Training and Research, New Delhi, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar (Tamil Nadu).

M.A. Social Work (with specialisation in Criminology and Correctional Administration):
Duration: 2 years
Eligibility: Graduates preferably with experience in National Service Scheme.
Institutes:
University of Delhi, New Delhi, Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai, Madras School of Social Work, Chennai (Tamil Nadu).
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