Careers in Forensic Science
What is Forensic Science?
As most of us know, forensic scientists apply their knowledge to aid the juries, attorneys, and also the judges in the understanding process of any physical proof of a criminal case. The word "forensic" can be described as the use of scientific methods and skill that is used to inspect a crime and also help to resolve any legal matter in the court of law. You might also say that forensic science is extremely important to the law enforcement agency in all the countries worldwide. These scientists are active in identifying criminals and help in the analysis of any kind of forensic evidence. Furthermore, a thorough research can also confirm the guilt or even innocence of the possible suspects involved in a crime.
What Do Forensic Scientists Do?
As stated above, forensic scientists go through the details of a committed crime and further report the findings to a court. In order to do this, the forensic scientists have to perform various physical as well as chemical analyses on the collected criminal evidence that are submitted by law enforcement agencies. The physical evidences might be found at the crime scene, on the victim, or in some cases even on both. Regardless of the provided evidence, the forensic scientists have to use a variety of methods that would help in solving the problem. These may include some mathematical principles, complicated instruments including microscopic techniques of examining the details that can explain vividly each aspect of the crime. Some forensic scientists have to work in various laboratories, while the others can conduct their research at the crime- scene itself.
According to the general process, once the physical evidences are analyzed, the forensic scientists continue their job and try drawing links between the involved people that is, the suspect, the victim, and the scene of crime. For example, these scientists might use the various physical evidences in order to determine the make, the model, the manufacturing year and even get the identity of the owner of a car that was by any means associated with a given crime. Then, they can go onto explaining the results of their research and in process describe the methods that they had used to reach onto their conclusion in a report. The report is further used to provide testimony to the court of law. Throughout this process, the forensic scientists have to ensure that their analysis of the given physical evidences is complete and that the tests are carried out correctly. They also have to ensure that the data that is provided to the court is accurate, their report is clear and to the point and the testimony is true.
Subdivisions of Forensic Science
Some of the forensic scientists are generalists. These scientists may focus on the field or even investigation in the laboratory, various involved clinical work, the right communication, and education also the required research. A forensic scientist might also be called a generalist given he is working with an emerging forensic science specialty or even a recognized area of forensic science and if it is one of the followings:
How Do I Become a Forensic Scientist?
Forensic science is a difficult as well as an exciting career, but it is necessary that the aspiring forensic scientists are aware of the needs that are required for achieving certification followed by employment. The Prospective forensic scientists must have determination, inquisitiveness, and awareness to details along with the ability to work without help. They must have a nack to deal with math and science as their work will heavily rely on the two common methods of analysis. In addition, individuals who are pursuing forensic science as a career must acquire brilliant written and verbal communiqué skills as they will be required give their research results in reports and also testify as witnesses in the court.
Training and Education
At the entry-level, the forensic scientists must have a bachelor's degree in physics, chemistry, forensic science, physical anthropology or biology. The courses required by the colleges include biology, physics, pharmacology, chemistry, quantitative analysis, including statistics. Practical experience of working in a laboratory is important for undergraduate students. Employers will give first choice to the job applicants who have an existing degree in computer science as with the help, they will be able to carry out computerised replication and modelling, and also easily operate computerised equipments in the laboratory.
For an undergraduate, students who aspire to become forensic scientists need not pursue any specialized bachelor's degree. In fact, if he pursues a general forensic science degree, it will further allow greater flexibility in the job market and at the same time will provide exposure in many areas. This, in result will make the discovering of one's preferred specialisation. The employers generally provide guidance and education for the employees with undergraduate degrees. There are many colleges and universities that have an undergraduate course in forensic science. Most of the students have the liberty to choose one of the subdivisions of forensic science that they want to specialise in. PhD in forensic science is only required only for promotion to the administrative or teaching level.
Forensic science certification is controlled but it allows a scientist to exhibit professional competence in his specialty. Certification can be attained by the forensic scientists through private organizations, such as the professional societies or even some certifying agencies like the International Association for Identification and the American College of Forensic Examiners. The American Board of Criminalistics is an example of an agency for a particular specialisation.
A Rewarding Career: Salaries as a Forensics Professional
This field offers a broad range of opportunities. These include research from medical and crime scene examination, to forensic engineering and crime laboratory analysis. This profession calls for variety of expertise that is entrenched in this undeniable career path.
One important feature to consider while planning a career path is the payment. The average yearly salary in the US for a medical examiner is $45,000. However, in the southern part of the US, the payment runs faintly lower than other regions with salaries averaging out to $38,500.
Wage for various state forensics departments in India would be as differing according to the government pay scales. The state department salaries start from around Rs. 4000 and the gradually increases depending on the rank in office and also years of experience. Forensic scientists who hold a postgraduate degree can expect a starting salary of Rs.6000 - Rs.8000. These highly depend on the nature and work pattern of the organisation. The private or the non-government forensic labs offer lucrative pay packages to the scientists who have a few years of experience. However, a freelancer in this field has the freedom to charge according to the requirements of an individual case.
The forensics field is a profession that has proven itself to be in high demand. With an economical pay and a motivating work surrounding, forensic science promises to be an inspirational and rewarding profession.
Where to study?
Here are a few institutes in India where you can pursue a career and study forensic science.
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