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Who is a Forensic Scientist?
Science gave us forensics. Law gave us crime ~ Mokokoma Mokhonoana
A Forensic scientist is an individual who applies methodological approaches and methods to investigate matters. Forensic analyst jobs are very important, especially in a criminal case. Forensic scientists participate in criminal and civil proceedings as expert witnesses and therefore can serve either for the prosecutor or defence.
Forensic scientists work with the government or in private laboratories for analysing evidence collected from crime sites. Here, in this article, we will discuss forensic scientist jobs, forensic scientist benefits, forensic science certificate programs, how to become a Forensic Scientist in India and forensic scientist salary.
Quick Facts for Forensic Scientist
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Average Salary in India
₹50000
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A career as a forensic scientist is not gender-specific. Everyone can go for this career opportunity irrespective of his or her gender. There is no gender restriction to have a career as a forensic scientist. Forensic scientists can be women, men, or other genders. Any person with the right eligibility can become a forensic scientist.
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Any special needs
Yes
A career as a forensic scientist doesn’t suit the person who is especially challenged, whether physically or mentally. This career requires travel to different places for investigations in various cases. A person with special needs might not be comfortable with travelling and prolonged investigations. It also requires doing physically exhaustive work that may adversely affect candidates with special needs.
Table of Contents for Forensic Scientist
What is the role of Forensic Scientist?
Individuals who opt for a career as forensic scientist analyse evidence from captured or given crime scenes and discuss their opinions based on their test results. Forensic analysts conduct chemical and physical analyses on the forensic evidence collected at the crime spot via investigators and law enforcement agents.
Such scientists use scientific methods to analyse and examine the evidence for the category and different character recognition.
A weapons analyst could check bullet fragments to decide exactly what sort of weapon was used.
A DNA researcher could evaluate the DNA detected on a victim's body to a suspect's for evaluation.
Once forensic scientists have conducted their analysis, they describe their conclusions in thorough written reports.
Forensic scientists most often appear in court cases as expert witnesses
Foreign scientists liaise with other teams and coordinate with outside agencies as well, such as the police or the Crime Bureau of India.
The role of forensic scientist oversees the junior or less experienced scientists and interns.
The role of forensic scientist is responsible for taking photographs, recording videos, identifying, and collecting evidence.
He or she documents his or her findings to make a report for court proceedings.
He or she makes assessments by responding to crime schemes. A forensic scientist analyses the samples found in crime locations.
Types of a Forensic Scientist
There are a variety of forensic scientists based on their experience, expertise, skills, and knowledge. This may include Criminalist scientist, Blood Splatter Analyst, Pathologist, and others. Here we have listed some of the types of a forensic scientist and the careers related to them.
Blood Splatter Analyst: This is a type of forensic scientist who focuses on cyber crimes and works to discover evidence from computers, mobile devices, cloud computing, and electronic storage. This professional works within IT systems to extract data that can provide insights into the elements of a crime.
Digital Forensic Investigator: This is some kind of forensic scientist who specialises in cybercrimes and is focused on extracting evidence from devices, mobiles, cloud computing, and electronic media. From the inside of the structures, this specialist works to collect data that could also offer an understanding of the nature of an offence.
Criminalist scientist: Forensic scientists trying to investigate crime scenes with those the goal of gathering evidence. Investigators examine the outcomes to identify the events related to the suspect's crime and possible motives. Their research includes a wide variety of professional expertise and active logical reasoning abilities.
Forensic Psychologist: This specialisation centres on identifying people involved in criminal activity by questioning criminals, and potential witnesses to support in identifying intentions and states of mind. They concentrate on problems such as the ability to stand trial, bear testimony, or make important decisions. They also evaluate mental disorder as it affects criminal liability.
Pathologist: As nothing more than a licensed physician, this individual practices DNA tests to help to identify postmortem and find the cause of death of a victim of a crime. This practitioner can attend a scene of the crime to support investigators in evaluating events that led up to the fatal accident.
What is the workplace/work environment of Forensic Scientist like?
Individuals who opt for a career as forensic scientists gather and analyse evidence from victims, cars, and crime scenes. They scientifically evaluate the evidence, and their results can aid in convicting or proving the innocence of an individual convicted of a crime. Forensic scientists are often referred to as investigators at the crime lab.
In this area, nearly all the people work for the state, or local law enforcement and investigation agencies. While they spend much of their time in clean, well-equipped laboratories, forensic scientists may accompany the police into dangerous territory and may encounter very disturbing sights.
Does Forensic Scientist require travelling?
Likely
A career as a forensic officer involves a lot of travelling. Individuals who opt for a career as a forensic scientist has to work very closely with the victims, their families, and other staff within their organisations.
Employment Shifts
Full Time
Individuals who opt for a career as a forensic scientist usually works from early morning to late night. Situations can, however, occur when they have to operate beyond their regular working hours.
Employment Nature
Permanent
A career as forensic scientist is permanent in nature. Individuals who opt for a career as forensic scientist works with a hospital or research body on a permanent basis mostly.
Work Place
Forensic Laboratory
Individuals who opt for a career as forensic scientist helps police to investigate cases related to crime. He or she researches the evidence collected by police from the crime scene and evaluates it, it could be blood spots, fingerprints on a material, or hair strands. Most of the work of forensic scientist is laboratory-based work.
Presence in Geographical Area
Semi-urban, Urban
Individuals who opt for a career as forensic scientist works in an urban or semi-urban area. Depending on the location of the hospital or the organisation he or she is working for.
Time Pressure
Likely
Individuals who opt for a career as forensic scientist work for a minimum of 40 hours a week. He or she may have to work on shifts depending on the requirement of the workplace. Hence, it can be concluded that he or she might face time pressure occasionally.
Overtime Details
Individuals who opt for a career as a forensic scientists may often be required to work on weekends, public holidays, and late extended hours. Whenever they are required to provide the results immediately, working hours might extend till midnight.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 40 Hours
Forensic scientists work for a minimum of 40 hours a week. Individuals who opt for a career as forensic scientist may have to work on shifts depending on the requirement of their workplace.
How to become a Forensic Scientist?
Steps to become a Forensic Scientist
Are you interested in investigating the crime by applying scientific methods and knowledge then a career as Forensic Scientist is the best option for you. If you like to do in-depth research, analysis and testing then a Forensic Scientist career is the best option for you. We have mentioned below the steps for you to know the details on how to become a Forensic Scientist in India.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Forensic Scientist?
You must be wondering how to become a forensic scientist. So, in this section, we will be answering the most commonly asked question about how to become a forensic scientist. In order to make a career as a forensic scientist one must possess some skills. Some skills required by a forensic scientist are mentioned below:
Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is one of the most important skills which is required to be a forensic scientist. Forensic scientists are walking away from a crime scene with various pieces of information which could include blood splatter images, fingerprints, footprints, blood samples, and shell casings.
Attention to Detail: They also need to search for less-obvious signs including fingerprints, bodily fluids and weapons, and shell enclosures that may have been hidden in a building or placed under decorations. Even when dealing with difficult or horrific crime scenes, professionals should pay very close attention to detail and retain professionalism. Forensic scientists should be precise in finding facts and recording the scene of the crime.
Communication Skills: Forensic scientists ought to be capable of interacting effectively. Individuals who opt for a career as a forensic scientist may also need to communicate with professionals in many other fields during most of the course of the investigation. For instance, when a poison is detected in a blood test, they will also need to contact a toxicologist to decide whether the victim would have been affected by the drug.
Technical Skills: Forensic scientists need to have the ability to use testing equipment. They use microscopes, for instance, to analyse evidence. Individuals who opt for a career as forensic scientists use laboratory equipment to collect DNA from the blood collected at the scene. Forensic scientists must have been qualified to always use software to enter information and use databases to look at data on DNA and fingerprints.
Legal Process: Forensic scientists should also be fully aware of the role of forensic science within and without the law. Forensic science is a vital element in solving many cases, and experts need to understand how to correctly gather evidence. Individuals who opt for a career as a forensic scientist must, therefore, know the laws of their state for the data transfer, so that the whole documentation is treated correctly once it is provided.
Also read: Career as scientist
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Forensic Scientist?
Apart from formal training, you can also opt for an additional short-term certification course to gain more knowledge and enhance your skills. Pursuing a specialised certification is not mandatory but it is recommended. We have provided below several certification courses that candidates interested in a career in forensics science may opt to upgrade their skills and knowledge.
Internship Availability
An internship is always beneficial for an individual in any field. The same goes for forensic scientists. It is compulsory for them to have some experience in forensic science before they start practising it. Internships are offered in fields such as forensic biology, forensic chemistry, and forensic toxicology. Interns are expected to work 30-40 hours per week during the internship period.
Forensic Scientist Jobs and Salaries
Junior Forensic Scientist
- Average Salary 35000
Job Description
The Junior Forensic Scientist job description includes preparing solutions and samples that are required for laboratory work. A Junior Forensic Scientist collects and analyses physical evidence.
Salary Description
An entry-level Forensic Scientist salary in India ranges between Rs 4.0 Lakhs to Rs 4.9 Lakhs with an average annual salary of Rs 4.2 Lakhs per annum. Junior Forensic Scientist in India may vary depending on the various job factors like skills and experience of the candidates, job location, and others.
Salary Source: AmbitionBox
Senior Forensic Scientist
- Average Salary 65000
Job Description
The Senior Forensic Scientist job description includes examining evidence from crime scenes and writing reports. A Senior Forensic Scientist coordinates with the other teams and mentors juniors and interns.
Salary Description
The estimated Senior Forensic Scientist salary in India ranges from Rs 4.5 Lakhs to Rs 25.5 Lakhs with an average annual salary of Rs 9.2 Lakhs per annum. Senior Forensic Scientist salary may vary depending on the various job factors.
Source - AmbitionBox
What is the job outlook for Forensic Scientist?
With a substantial increase in crime rates and criminals being even smarter than cops and judges, a career as a forensic scientist is growing exponentially and India is facing an acute shortage of forensic scientists who can help the courts decide criminal cases. Though forensic scientist jobs are challenging, a lack of qualified professionals means there's plenty of opportunity for those who are interested in this field. The Intelligence Bureau (IB), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) employ a significant number of qualified forensic scientists.
Freelance work may be attractively payable for forensic scientists specialised in one section. However, the Private Employment Market for Forensic Scientists is very small and limited and most of the positions are in police department criminal cells only. Forensic scientists with legal experience will serve as legal advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions for Forensic Scientist
Que. Is forensic scientist a good career option?
Ans.This is good news for those interested in pursuing a career in forensic science. It is estimated that jobs in this region will rise by seventeen per cent by 2026. Although that's much faster than normal, the U.S. The Labor Statistics office states the occupation is small.
Que. Which course can I pursue in order to become a forensic scientist?
Ans.There are several courses one can opt to become a forensic scientist. The following are some of the most popular courses:
Que. Where can I get a job as a forensic scientist?
Ans.Forensic scientists may operate from government departments and local law enforcement offices to hospitals in a wide range of settings. Those are Law Enforcement, Crime Laboratories, Federal Agencies, Hospitals.
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Questions related to Forensic Scientist
I need to know about the Government colleges having Bsc forensic science in kerala?
Hello candidate,
Bachelors in forensic is offered in several colleges across Kerala, and here is a list of some of them-
1. Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram
2. Government Medical College Kozhikode
3. Amrita School of medicine Kochi
4. Government Medical College Thrissur
5. Government Medical College Kottayam
For more details, you can visit https://medicine.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-forensic-medicine-colleges-in-kerala
Hope it helps!!
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New Zealand was the world's second-largest country to create a DNA profile database.
Fact 2
DNA testing has shown that, in Canada's Northwest, an odd bear shot was likely a hybrid between a grizzly bear and a polar bear.
Fact 3
The analysis of the fingerprinting or footprinting skin marks or patterns on fingertips, hands and feet is called dermatoglyphics.
Fact 4
Bare footprints are special to a person just like fingerprints.
Fact 5
Two individuals with the same DNA profile have a chance of 1 in 10 billion – except where they are identical twins.
