How to become a Forensic Scientist

A forensic scientist is someone who applies scientific principles to support or refute ideas based on materialistic evidence discovered at a crime scene. Thus, it is the study of investigating and resolving crime situations in essential words. They analyse the shards of evidence gathered from the scene and provide their conclusions based on their findings. They also examine the injuries on the corpses and analyse body samples to determine the cause of death. They are engaged in the microscopic examination of tissues, organs, or injuries in order to solve a case.

To solve a case, they must undertake tests and experiments on suspicious pieces of evidence and perform an autopsy. They must carefully review the evidence given and keep it for the duration of the inquiry. To get precise and impartial data, they must use rigorous procedures. Forensic science is widely employed around the world because it assists in protecting public health, enforcing criminal laws, and resolving civil disturbances. The majority of forensic scientist jobs are in the public sector, in different law enforcement departments of the federal and state governments.

The roles and responsibilities that are mandatorily required by a forensic scientist are:

• Required to make crime scene sketches, reconstruct and explain events.
• Keep a focus on collecting and identifying physical proofs along with the process of note-making. 
• Must perform investigative tasks, respond to crime scenes and make evaluations for the same.
• Expected to take photographs as well as record videos of the crime scenes. 
• Perform tests on weapons or other substances like hair, fiber and tissues to help in the process of investigation.
• Must conduct autopsies for making a better observation and gathering detailed evidence.
• May testify as an expert witness on evidence in the court.
• Compile reports for courtroom trials as well as giving expert testimonies. 
• Serve as a specialist in the expert fields like ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

A person working in the area of forensic science must possess a few talents that are necessary for the job to operate appropriately. First, they must be active listeners in order to get complete control of the case they are working on. They will need to hear multiple perspectives on the same scenario from different people and participate in the questioning of the suspects. They must be critical thinkers with the capacity to use logic and reasoning and the ability to synthesise bits of knowledge to reach a conclusion. They need an excellent command of the English language in order to deliver information effectively during trials or debates.

Their writing skills must also be proficient since they will be taking notes for themselves as well as preparing detailed reports for court hearings. They must also recognise a recognised pattern of objects, words, or sounds that may be disguised among other distracting stimuli. For improved observations, they must be able to perceive details at close range. The capacity to apply general norms to a given scenario must also come in helpful for them in order to create logical solutions.

Forensic scientists can work in the government sector and in the private sector, the agencies offer handsome salaries to experienced candidates. After qualifying forensic science, the starting salary is between Rs 3 lac to 4 lac per annum. Experience professionals can earn Rs 6 Lac to Rs 8 Lacs per year. Abroad working aspirants will earn the average salary of $55,040 per year.

•  FS Indian Education Department, Pune
• Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
• Department of Forensic Sciences (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University), Agra
• Institute of Forensic Science, Mumbai
• Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology & Forensic Science (LNJN NICFS), New Delhi
•  Institute of Forensic Sciences (Gujarat Forensic Sciences University), Gandhi Nagar
• Centre for Cyber Forensics and Information Security (University of Madras), Chennai
• Government Institute of Forensic Science, Aurangabad
• Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences (SHIATS), Allahabad
• St. Xavier’s College (University of Mumbai), Mumbai
• Bundelkhand University, UP
• Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), New Delhi
• Dr. Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar
• Institute of Forensic Science & Criminology (Panjab University), Chandigarh
• Osmania University, Hyderabad
• Amity University (Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences)
• Gujarat Forensic Science University, Gujarat.
• Punjab University, Chandigarh.
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
•  Anna University, Chennai.

• Intelligence Bureau (IB)
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
• Central Govt. Forensic Sciences Labs
• Hospitals
• Private Detective Agencies
• Law Firms
• Police Department
• Quality Control Bureau
• Banks
• Universities
• Defense/Army