Career Watch: Forensic Science

Forensic science offers a world of opportunities for those looking for an interesting career

Bewitched by the CSI and CID series on television? Fascinated by the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie? Have an aptitude for investigation and attention to detail? Then a career in forensic science might just be the right choice for you.  

 

Forensic science is the use of advanced scientific techniques and the information available, to determine the facts of a situation, which subsequently leads to the truth during criminal and civil investigations. It plays an integral role in the criminal justice system as it answers important questions pertaining to any crime and can be applied to legal cases that are civil in nature.

Job prospects
Forensic science is a very demanding field. It offers numerous career prospects in the government sector as well as private sector. The government sector jobs provide placements in forensic science labs, police department, crime branches, regional forensic science laboratories, narcotics department, etc. The private sector jobs give opportunities in private detective agencies, security services agencies and so on. The common jobs include crime scene investigation, graphology, document analysis, fingerprint examination, etc.

       While pursuing a career in forensic science, focus on the discipline that you want to pursue like general forensic science, psychiatry, behavioural science, toxicology, etc. Also, a sound knowledge in biology, anatomy and physiology, physics and chemistry are required to have a strong fundamental understanding of various sciences and mathematics. 

          Similarly, internships offered will help to gain work experience, which is an added advantage. “Besides the necessary educational qualifications, one must be very observant, have strong communication skills and possess a keen eye for detail for a successful career in forensic field,” says Dr T R Baggi, academic coordinator, forensic science, University College of Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad.
 

With the rising crime rates in the country, forensic experts are very much in demand. Therefore, obtaining the necessary education from the right institution is important for a promising career in forensic science. “Forensic science is a specialised field and needs specialised courses. If given freedom, encouragement and infrastructure, forensic science can develop equally well like other branches of science,” states Dr T R Baggi.    

  

Educational qualification
On completion of 12th standard or equivalent, one can pursue a three year degree or one year diploma course in forensic science. A graduate degree in science subjects like physics, chemistry, zoology, botany, biochemistry or microbiology is necessary to pursue a post-graduation in forensic science.

Institute Watch
A number of universities and institutes in India and abroad offer graduate, post graduate and diploma courses in various streams of forensic science. Some are listed below:

·        Amity University of Behavioural Health and Applied Sciences, Noida offers B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D in forensic science.

·        Gujarat Forensic Sciences University offers M.Sc. Forensic Science and conducts degree, diploma and certificate courses in forensic science, behavioural science, criminology and other allied areas.

·        Osmania University, Hyderabad offers two year course in M.Sc. forensic science.

·        Trivandrum Medical College and Madras Medical College also offers MD in forensic medicine.

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PS: This was my first article for Education Times, which somehow never got published. But it gave me a chance to connect with one of the stalwarts in the forensic world - Dr. T R Baggi, Director (Retd.) Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad & presently the Academic Coordinator for the M.Sc. (Forensic Science) programme at University College of Science, Osmania University, Hyd.

What more could I ask for?