When was the last time you watched a detective film or television show? Are you able to conjure up a mental image of the crime scene? A damaged apartment, blood stains, numerous Police agents chatting or touching evidence, and a few people from the forensic department, sounds familiar?
What if I told you this is not how a crime scene looks? Many individuals learn about forensic science through popular cultures, such as crime fiction or detective films. These forms of media are to entertain, and they frequently misrepresent numerous systems and processes. Being a forensic expert demands high-level precision and caution when gathering evidence or examining a crime scene.
In this blog we will give you a glimpse into how to become a Forensic Expert, the education qualification and recommended colleges in India and abroad. The blog also contains details of job preparation, top recruiters and salary insights.
Forensic experts, have a crucial job of examining and analyzing physical proof found on the victim or the area of crime to determine the cause of the event. The nature of the work of a forensic expert is based on their area of specialisation or job profile.
Learn more: How to become a Cyber Forensics Expert
People with great communication skills and the capacity to notice even the smallest details are ideal candidates for this career. A forensic scientist or expert in forensic science must be proficient in interpreting scientific evidence and data.
There are numerous types of forensic expert courses available to all candidates, allowing them to follow the job of their choice. A minimum of 12th Science is required to apply for Graduation in Forensic Science.
Most of the certificate courses related to Forensic Science require minimum eligibility of Grade 12th. However, it is recommended to pursue these courses during or after undergraduate as they will complement your specialization or upskill.
| Course Name | Offered by |
| Introduction to Forensic Science | Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) (Coursera) |
| Challenging Forensic Science: How Science Should Speak to Court | University of Lausanne (Coursera) |
| Digital Forensics | The Open University, UK |
| Certificate in Crime Scene Investigation by University of Colorado Denver | Downtown Denver Campus |
| Forensic accounting and fraud examination | West Virginia University |
| Cyber Forensics and cyber law | IFS, India |
| Certification (Expert/Gold) in Forensic Sciences and Criminology | IFS Education Dept. (International Forensic Science Institute) |
| Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | American Public University System |
| Introduction of Forensic Science Services & Police Organisation | Swayam |
| Certificate Course in Forensic Photography | Starex University |
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Most of the Forensic courses demand a minimum of 55% in 12th Grade as qualifying criteria. One can apply for Diploma course or an undergraduate course after the successful completion of the 12th grade.
In order to be a Forensic Expert you will have to apply for a Masters’s degree or a doctoral program with relevant in-field experience.
How to become a Forensic Expert after 12th
The eligibility criteria for Diploma or undergraduate course in Forensic Science is as follows:
How to become a Forensic Expert In India
Though the courses demand a high level of rigor it is one of the most precision requiring professions. One will have to have a good academic background and be highly adaptable to work under different circumstances.
Based on your specialization you will be required to have a good knowledge of technology and forensic tools. You can check out the Clever Harvey Junior MBA course on Technology for an early introduction to the world of Tech.
Diploma courses to become Forensic Expert in India
The Diploma courses are for 12 to 18 months with the course fee estimated to be between 15,000INR to 40,000 INR. Here are a few Diploma courses you can try in India:
| Sr. No. | Name of course | Duration |
| 1. | Diploma in Forensic Science | 1 year |
| 2. | Diploma in Document Examination | 1 year |
| 3. | Fundamentals of forensic science | 1 year |
| 4. | Basic principles of criminology and criminal psychology | 1 year |
| 5. | Computer forensics and its principals | 1 year |
UG courses for Forensic Expert in India
The UG course for Forensics are estimated to be for 3-4 years. Few of the entrance exams one has to appear in are CG PAT, IISER IAT, OUAT, GSAT, BHU UET, NEST, JET, SUAT, LPUNEST, etc.
The papers offered are – Basics of chemistry, Crime scene analysis, criminal behavior, toxicology, Criminal Procedure and Evidence, Crime Victim Studies, Constitutional Issues in Criminal Procedures, Fingerprint Analysis, criminology, anthropology, etc.
Here are a few popular bachelor’s programs offered in India:
| Sr. No. | Name of the course | Duration |
| 1. | B.Sc Forensic Science | 3 years |
| 2. | B.Sc (Hons) Forensic Science | 3 years |
| 3. | B.Com Forensic Accounting | 3 years |
| 4. | Bachelor of Accident Forensics | 3 years |
| 5. | Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice | 3 years |
Top colleges in India
Below are the list of top colleges where one can apply for the above-mentioned courses:
| Name of Institution | Location |
| St. Xavier’s College (University of Mumbai) | Mumbai |
| Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) | New Delhi |
| Dr. Hari Singh Gour University | Sagar |
| Institute of Forensic Science & Criminology (Panjab University), | Chandigarh |
| Amity University | Noida |
| Jain University | Bangalore |
| 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 |
| Institute of Forensic Sciences (Gujarat Forensic Sciences University) | Gandhi Nagar |
| Centre for Cyber Forensics and Information Security (University of Madras) | Chennai |
| The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences – [NUJS] | Kolkata |
| Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology & Forensic Science (LNJN NICFS) | New Delhi |
Read more: How to become a Forensic Pathologist
How to become a Forensic Expert Abroad
The eligibility for Forensic Science Courses abroad are:
UG courses for Forensic Expert Abroad
Here are a few UG courses on Forensic Science:
| Sr. no. | Name of the course | Duration |
| 1. | BSc Hons in Forensic Science | 3 years |
| 2. | Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science | 3 years |
| 3. | Computational Forensics, BS | 3 years |
| 4. | BS in Forensic and Investigative Sciences | 3 years |
| 5. | Forensic Studies and Justice B.S. | 3 years |
Top colleges abroad
One can apply for the above-mentioned courses at the following universities:
| Name of the Institution | Location |
| University of Toronto | Toronto, Canada |
| The University of British Columbia | Vancouver, Canada |
| Teesside University | Middlesbrough, UK |
| Arizona State University | Tempe, USA |
| Coventry University | Coventry, UK |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, USA |
| Northumbria University | Newcastle upon Tyne, UK |
| University of West London | London, UK |
| The University of Bradford | Bradford, UK |
| The University of Illinois at Chicago | Chicago |
One can start applying for internships during the undergraduate program or after diploma completion. On average internships last for 3-6 months. It is a good opportunity to get in-field exposure and improve your technical skills.
Your portfolio should include your observations from projects or journals of observation, internship details, case studies, certifications, etc.
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The pay scale of a forensic Expert varies from one specialist to another. Furthermore, the salary might differ based on place , field, organization, and experience.
| Country | US(in dollars) | UK(in pounds) | Germany(in euros) | Singapore(in Singapore dollar) | Japan |
| Avg. annual salary | $62,060 | £25,000 and £35,000 | 36,720 EUR | $74072 | JPY 6,755,850 |
| Name of agency | Location |
| 4N6 | Italy |
| Baltic Computer Systems AS | Estonia |
| DataExpert | Netherlands |
| ForenTec | Switzerland |
| Future Standards | Bulgaria |
| INsig2 | Croatia |
| MIRAFAN | Italy |
| mh Service | Germany |
| Ondata International | Spain |
| OnRetrieval | Spain |
| RedShift | Portugal |
| Schippers IT | Netherlands |
A Forensic Expert uses a high level of precision and caution when gathering evidence or examining a crime scene. Thus, it is a profession that demands a skilled person with an eye for detail and analytical skills.
You can use your intelligence to bring people to justice and improve safety. It is a field that is ever-evolving and important to society. In the past few years, there has been a 16% increase in job opportunities for Forensic Experts.
A CBI Forensic Expert is expected to have a Masters’s degree in forensic Science with relevant experience of 8+ years. Apply at CENTRAL FORENSIC SCIENCE LAB, Delhi
The salary of a forensic expert differs based on position and experience, an average of 8.2 lakhs p.a is earned by forensic experts in India.
After class 12th one can apply for a Bachelor in Forensic Science and apply for an assistant level job position after completion.
Digital forensics is a branch of forensic science that focuses on discovering, acquiring, processing, interpreting, and reporting electronically stored data.
Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Central Govt. Forensic Sciences Labs, etc are a few of the recruiters.
Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), hospital, law agency, etc
The job of a forensic expert requires a high level of precision and care. It may be a difficult job for people who have to deal with injuries and specimens.
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