Traces of blood, saliva, hair, fingerprints, footwear, tyre impressions, explosives, specimens of tissue for poison, etc are just a few evidences collected by intellectual heroes -‘The Forensic Scientists’. Forensic science is increasingly becoming a‘cool career’ on campus these days.

Forensic science is primarily concerned with the application of scientific principles. It has evolved progressively, acknowledging the fact that medical knowledge can be applied for the elucidation of doubtful questions in a court of justice. Forensic science is the only profession that makes use of almost all branchesof science - chemistry, physics, zoology, biology, medicine, anthropology, molecular biology, etc.

Although forensic science is essentially a crime laboratory-based profession it does not confine to matters relating to crime alone. It is also used in civil, regulatory and even non-litigious matters. For instance, in proving the validity of a signature on a will, to find out whether an industry is complying with environmental rules and so on.

Job profile

Forensic scientists analyse physical evidence found on a victim, at the scene of crime and compare it to evidence found on a suspect. Their expertise lies in the determination of facts using evidences. The job is all about unraveling mysteries.

Specialisation

One can specialise in subjects as varied as medicine, engineering, fingerprinting, insect study, languages, geology etc.
Crime Scene Investigation:Scene investigation involves issues such as security, prevention of contamination, locating and collecting relevant items of evidence, interpretation of evidence and possible reconstruction of the event. Qualification required:Diploma in Forensic Investigation or Degree in Forensic Investigation or Degree in Analytical Chemistry.


Forensic Pathology/ Medicine: Forensic pathologists determine the time and cause of death in cases of suspected murder or suicide. This involves post mortem examinations reported to determine the cause and the manner of death.Qualification required:Medical degree (MBBS) with MD or appropriate post-graduate qualifications in forensic science.


Forensic Anthropology: Forensic anthropologists use their knowledge of human skeletal anatomy to assist in the identification of skeletal remains. They are called to identify individuals murdered or killed in disasters such as plane crashes, explosions, fires and other tragedies resulting in the loss of life and mutilation of bodies. They may also be able to discover the age, sex, ancestry, stature, and unique features of the deceased.Qualification required:  A PhD in anthropology with an emphasis on the study of human osteology and anatomy or a medical degree (MBBS) with appropriate post-graduate qualifications.

Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry: They may be called to evaluate a murder scene to suggest a possible psychological profile of the killer. A forensic psychologist by virtue of training or experience assists a court or other fact finder in arriving at a correct decision.Qualification required:Medical degree (MBBS) with appropriate post-graduate qualifications.

Forensic Dentistry (Odontology): It is a branch of dentistry that deals with the collection, evaluation and proper handling of dental evidence in order to assist law enforcement officers and in civil and criminal proceedings. The role of the odontologist is to identify bodies and skeletal remains from dental records, reconstruct faces from skulls and where possible, interpret bite marks. Qualification required:Degree in dentistry, Post Graduate Diploma of Forensic Odontology.

Clinical Forensic Medicine: Those involved in clinical forensic medicine amongst other things, examine victims of crime and suspects who may have sustained an injury while allegedly committing a crime. They give interpretations of their findings such as the possible causes and timing of the injuries.Qualification required:Medical degree (MBBS) with appropriate post-graduate qualifications.

Forensic Entomology: Forensic entomology is 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 Serology: Forensic serology is 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 Chemist: Areas of work includes 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 required:Science degree with a major in analytical, applied or forensic chemistry.

Dactyloscopy: Dactyloscopy is the scientific study of fingerprints. Fingerprinting is perhaps the most well known of the forensic sciences. It also involves the identification of fingerprints and their ability to categorically link suspects to or exclude suspects from a crime scene.

Forensic linguists:Forensic linguists analyse the content of written or oral communication to identify the speaker and indicate the speaker's intent, and can determine whether two communications are from the same person. This is obviously important in cases of kidnapping.

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

Forensic Engineer:  Deals with traffic accidents, fire investigations, and a variety of wrongful injury cases.  Engineers are involved in failure analysis, accident reconstruction, causes and origins of fires or explosions, quality evaluation of construction ormanufacturing etc.Qualification required:An engineering degree with post-graduate qualifications in forensic engineering.

Photography:A crime scene must be photographed from every angle clearly to show detail, with the emphasis on accurately recording the size and distance of objects.

Forensic Artists and Sculptors: Forensic artists can draw a likeness of a person based solely on eyewitness accounts. Modern techniques of computer animation are now starting to be used to show evidence or expert testimony to courts.

Cytology: Bullet cytology is a new subject that makes it possible to determine which part of the body a bullet went through by the tissue, which is left on the bullet.

Recruitments procedure

Recruitment of forensic personnel happens either through the Central or the State forensic departments. The Central forensic department conducts the Union Public Service Commission exam, while the State conducts a similar exam such as the Maharashtra Public Service Commission. These written examinations comprise of questions on general science that are conducted depending on vacancies. The written test is only a criterion for short-listing candidates. Selection of short-listed candidates is done on the bases of a subsequent personal interview.

Courses

MSc in Forensic Science(two years duration)Offered by:Department of Forensic Science, Dr BR Ambedkar University, Agra (UP); Punjabi University, Patiala (Punjab); University of Madras, Chennai.Eligibility:Graduate in science disciplines (preferably physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, biochemistry or applied sciences)

MSc and MA in Forensic Science and criminology(two years duration)Offered by: Department of Criminology and Forensic Science, Dr HS Gaur Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (MP); Department of Criminology and Forensic Science, Karnatak University, Dharwar.Eligibility:Graduate in science disciplines (preferably physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, biochemistry or applied sciences)

Certificate course inForensic Science(one year duration)Offered by: Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, New Delhi.Eligibility:Graduate in science disciplines (preferably physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, biochemistry or applied sciences)

Research Programmes and Diplomas in Forensic Science– courses are available in a variety of disciplines relating to forensic science including chemistry, biology, serology,ballistics, toxicology, documents and photography.Offered by: The National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science situated at New Delhi, Sagar, Anna and Patiala.Eligibility:Research programmes and diploma courses are open only to forensic scientists, police officers, judges, research scholars and senior officials from forensic laboratories.