Forensic Scientists examine and analyze evidence from crime scenes. Their objective findings assist in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of crime.
Personal Competencies
You have an interest in Science
You like to analyze problems and situations
You pay attention to details
You have strong verbal and written communication skills
Entry Pathway
1. Complete 10 + 2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
2. Complete a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc) in Forensic Science
OR
Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree in the same or allied field.
OR
Complete an MBBS and follow it up with an MD in Forensic Medicine
3. You might have to clear competitive exams such as All India Forensic Science Entrance Test or NEET to get admission into your choice of course
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
Where will you study?
This course is offered by the Department Of Forensic Science. This list of institutes is indicative only
Government Institutes 1. Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi 2. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam 3. Mumbai University, Mumbai 4. Chandigarh University, Chandigarh 5. Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Allahabad 6. Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 7. Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur 8. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, Kolkata
Private Institutes (Please check if Institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying) 1. Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore 2. Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 3. JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysore 4. Parul University, Vadodara 5. Amity University, Noida 6. Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil 7. Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore 8. Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal
*NPTEL - National Programme in Technology Enhanced Learning. It is by the Government of India and offers a variety of courses in an audio - video form
Fees
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 15,000-2,00,000*
*(The above mentioned figures are approximate numbers. This will vary from institute to institute)
Scholarships & Loans
SCHOLARSHIPS
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes* • Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI* • Scholarships are also available in the institutes based on merit* *(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
LOANS
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA) • Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc. • All banks give education loans
Where will you work?
Places of Work: Universities, Museums, Research Institutions, Central or State Laboratories
Work Environment: You will work both indoor and outdoor. You might have to visit crime scenes. While you may not head a team, you will work in a team. You are likely to work 6 days a week and 8 to 10 hours every day. This may vary from organization to organization.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Expected Growth Path
Forensic Scientist → Chemist → Senior Scientist → Principal Scientist OR Adjunct Scientist → Senior Scientist → Laboratory Manager
OR
Trainee → Forensic Science Technician → Forensic Science Head
Expected Income
The approx. salary of a Forensic Scientist ranges between INR 65,111-1,11,778* per month
Gaurav Gupta is the first Indian to earn a doctorate in Digital Forensics. He was bestowed with the Young Scientist Award of the Indian Science Congress in 2010 by APJ Abdul Kalam. Besides serving as an additional director with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Gupta is also a published writer. He has a PhD in Digital Forensic to Detect and Fix Computer Frauds and Cyber Crimes from Jadavpur University, West Bengal. Currently, he is on a mission to create awareness about technological fraud in society.*
Forensic Scientist
NCS Code: 3119.0200 | SC0171. Complete 10 + 2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
2. Complete a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc) in Forensic Science
OR
Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree in the same or allied field.
OR
Complete an MBBS and follow it up with an MD in Forensic Medicine
3. You might have to clear competitive exams such as All India Forensic Science Entrance Test or NEET to get admission into your choice of course
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
This course is offered by the Department Of Forensic Science.
This list of institutes is indicative only
Government Institutes
1. Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi
2. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
3. Mumbai University, Mumbai
4. Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
5. Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Allahabad
6. Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur
7. Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur
8. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, Kolkata
Private Institutes
(Please check if Institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying)
1. Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore
2. Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
3. JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysore
4. Parul University, Vadodara
5. Amity University, Noida
6. Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil
7. Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore
8. Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal
Information on the institute rankings can be found at - https://www.nirfindia.org/2022/Ranking.html
Online Courses
• NPTEL* Swayam- https://swayam.gov.in/explorer?searchText=forensic
• Udemy - https://www.udemy.com/courses/search/?src=ukw&q=forensic
• Coursera - https://in.coursera.org/search?query=forensic&
*NPTEL - National Programme in Technology Enhanced Learning. It is by the Government of India and offers a variety of courses in an audio - video form
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 15,000-2,00,000*
*(The above mentioned figures are approximate numbers. This will vary from institute to institute)
SCHOLARSHIPS
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes*
• Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI*
• Scholarships are also available in the institutes based on merit*
*(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
LOANS
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA)
• Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc.
• All banks give education loans
Places of Work: Universities, Museums, Research Institutions, Central or State Laboratories
Work Environment: You will work both indoor and outdoor. You might have to visit crime scenes. While you may not head a team, you will work in a team. You are likely to work 6 days a week and 8 to 10 hours every day. This may vary from organization to organization.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Forensic Scientist → Chemist → Senior Scientist → Principal Scientist OR Adjunct Scientist → Senior Scientist → Laboratory Manager
OR
Trainee → Forensic Science Technician → Forensic Science Head
The approx. salary of a Forensic Scientist ranges between INR 65,111-1,11,778* per month
Source: https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/forensic-scientist/india
*These figures are indicative and subject to change
Experts from the field
Gaurav Gupta is the first Indian to earn a doctorate in Digital Forensics. He was bestowed with the Young Scientist Award of the Indian Science Congress in 2010 by APJ Abdul Kalam. Besides serving as an additional director with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Gupta is also a published writer. He has a PhD in Digital Forensic to Detect and Fix Computer Frauds and Cyber Crimes from Jadavpur University, West Bengal. Currently, he is on a mission to create awareness about technological fraud in society.*
Source: https://analyticsindiamag.com/talking-cyber-awareness-with-dr-gaurav-gupta-of-meity-first-indian-to-earn-doctorate-in-digital-forensics/
*The above information is for training purposes only and will not be used for any commercial gains
forensic expert, fraud risk, investigator