Forensic Science Courses in India

Forensic Science Courses in India are challenging and interesting, especially for those who are inquisitive and love adventure. Forensic Science is a field which is primarily concerned with the application of scientific principles for the investigation of crime. Forensic scientists analyse all physical evidence found on a victim on the scene of a crime and compare it to evidence found on a suspect and provide expert testimony in a court of law. The evidences might include traces of blood, saliva, other body fluids, hair, fingerprints, footwear and tyre impressions, explosives, specimens of tissue for poisons, blood and urine for alcohol etc. Various advancements in Forensic Science have made crime detection a much easier task as compared to a few decades ago. Forensic science is playing a major role in solving all sorts of cases and is also acting as a deterrent to crime as criminals now know that they will be caught eventually. 'IFS INDIA' is touted amongst Forensic Science Institutes in India providing Online plus Distance Forensic Education. IFS India is a Forensic, Legal and Educational Organization mainly working for Crime Investigation and Court Acceptable Expert Opinions with many Govt. Departments. 'IFS India & USLEF' are registered with Government of India (Central Govt.), Government of Maharashtra (State Govt.), and also ISO 9001-2008 Certified.  

Some of its specialized fields are -

Forensic Pathology / Medicine - It deals with the time and cause of death in cases of suspected murder or suicide. Qualification: MBBS with M.D or appropriate post-graduate qualifications in Forensic Science.

Forensic Anthropology - It deals with the study of human skeletal anatomy to assist in the identification of skeletal remains. Qualification: A Ph.D in anthropology with an emphasis on the study of human osteology and anatomy or a MBBS with appropriate post-graduate qualifications.

Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry - It deals with the mental aspects of an alleged crime, i.e. whether a person is mentally fit to stand trial and treating those convicted of crimes who are mentally ill. Qualification: MBBS with appropriate post-graduate qualifications.

Forensic Dentistry (Odontology) - It deals with the collection, evaluation and proper handling of dental evidence in order to assist law enforcement officers and in civil & criminal proceedings. Qualification: Degree in Dentistry

Forensic Entomology - It deals with the application of the study of insects and other arthropods to legal issues. The time of death, for example, can be determined using insect evidence gathered from and around a corpse.

Forensic Linguistics - It deals with the content of written or oral communication to identify who is speaking and indicate the speaker's intent, and can determine whether two communications are from the same person. It is of great importance in cases of kidnapping.

Forensic Serology - It deals with the study of blood groups, blood, and other bodily fluids for identification purposes following a crime. Forensic serologists also carry out DNA fingerprinting, which offers the possibility of positive identification of an individual from samples of blood or semen.

Forensic Engineering - It deals with traffic accidents, fire investigations, and a variety of wrongful injury cases. It involves failure analysis, accident reconstruction, causes and origins of fires or explosions, quality evaluation of construction or manufacturing etc.

Forensic Geology - It deals with geographical aspects of a crime, accident etc. Forensic geologists can determine such things as where the suspect or victim walked by examining soil samples taken from their shoes or feet.

Forensic Chemistry - It deals with the detection and identification of illicit drugs, accelerants used in arson cases, explosive and gunshot residues, trace evidence, including paint, glass, polymers and fibres. Qualification: Science degree with a major in analytical, applied or forensic chemistry.

Ballistics - It deals with the study of the flight paths of projectiles and everything to do with firearms. It also involves the determination of the angle and distance a gun was fired from to hit a specific target. 

Toxicology - It deals with the detection and identification of illicit and pharmaceutical drugs and poisons, interpreting toxicity levels and the effects on the functions of the body. Qualification: Science degree with a major in chemistry or biochemistry.

Dactyloscopy - It is the scientific study of fingerprints and also involves the identification of fingerprints and their ability to categorically link suspects to or exclude suspects from a crime scene.

Crime Scene Investigation - It deals with scene investigation which involves issues such as security, prevention of contamination, locating and collecting relevant items of evidence, interpretation of evidence and possible reconstruction of the event. Scenes can range from a relatively simple house break to a fire in a multi-storey building or a city bombing. 

Cytology - It deals with bullets and its effects on the human body. Bullet cytology is a new subject which makes it possible to determine which part of the body a bullet went through by the tissue which is left on the bullet.

Clinical Forensic Medicine - It deals with clinical forensic medicine i.e., to examine victims of crime and suspects who may have sustained an injury while allegedly committing a crime. Qualification: MBBS with appropriate post-graduate qualifications.

Forensic Courses in India - Content

Forensic Science Courses in India includes all or few of these –

• Principles of Criminology.
• Criminal Law and Procedure.
• Juvenile Delinquency Lab.
• Police Administration and Investigation Lab.

Forensic Courses in India: Objectives

1. To promote advanced technological methods in solving cases of different nature.
2. To facilitate effective and speedy justice through fast and precise cause of any criminal activity.
3. To make Forensic Science so effective that it actually promotes crime prevention in the first place.

Forensic Courses in India: Basic Requirements and Education

Forensic Science Courses in India require a science background to pursue a career in forensic science. After 10+2 one can do graduation in forensic science i. e. B.Sc. in Forensic Science.

To take up a masters course in forensic science you need to be a graduate preferably with a first division in Physics, chemistry, zoology, botany, biochemistry, microbiology, B.pharm, BDS or applied science.

To become a specialist in post-mortems one needs an MBBS degree and then go for an MD in Forensic Science. All Indian Universities that offer MBBS courses also offer an MD in Forensic Science.

Forensic Science Colleges in India

1. Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, Delhi.
2. Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gour Nagar, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh - 470003.
3. University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007.
4. Anna University, Chennai - 600025.
5. Gujarat Forensic Sciences University
6. Bundelkhand University (institute of forensic science and criminology)
7. Panjabi University (department of forensic science)

Personal attributes

An inquisitive nature and a concern for accuracy is the main attribute required to be in this field. A candidate must have keen observation, intelligence, an eye for detail, ability to work along with a team, a logical, practical and methodical approach. An aptitude for scientific analysis is essential.

Job Perspectives

There are variety of options for forensic professionals. They can specialise in subjects as varied as medicine, engineering, fingerprinting, insect study, languages, geology etc. Opportunities for forensic scientists exist in government organisations such as the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and as investigative officers in the crime cells of state police forces. Forensic experts essentially work in forensic labs and sometimes even in large private detective agencies to establish the link between the criminal and the crime. police force, law enforcing agencies, legal systems and both government and private investigative office

Remuneration

Remuneration for various state forensics departments vary in accordance with government pay scales. The state department salaries begin around Rs. 4000 and increases according to the rank and years of experience. Forensic scientists holing postgraduate qualifications can expect to start with a salary of Rs.6000 - Rs.8000 depending on the nature of the organisation. Private forensic laboratories offer lucrative pay packages to scientists with a few years of experience behind them. A freelancer in the field can charge according to requirements of the individual case.

Some Job Types

• Forensic Artists & Sculptors.
• Forensic Geologists.
• Forensic Photographer.
• Forensic Engineer.
• Forensic Linguists.
• Forensic Chemist.
• Forensic Anthropologists.
• Forensic Pathologists.
• Teachers.
• Researchers.

Some Employment Areas

1. Police Department.
2. Military Department.
3. Educational Institutes.
4. Investigating Agencies.
5. Laboratories.
6. Forensic Research Firms.
7. Fire Department.
8. Hospitals and Clinics.
9. Law Enforcement Agencies.