How to Become a Forensic Expert

About Forensic Expert

Forensic Expert is a professional who is responsible to collect evidence, investigate crime scenes, conduct testing and experiments of suspected items as well perform an autopsy to resolve a case. 

The job role of a Forensic Expert is challenging and they are expected to handle the job in an unbiased manner based on evidence and facts. To become a successful Forensic Expert, a candidate needs to complete relevant studies and apply for job roles in the desired sector. Forensic Expert is an interesting career that demands dedication, good analytical skills and abilities to take up challenging responsibilities. If Forensic Expert is a career option that excites you, then check the complete academic studies, jobs responsibilities, employment opportunities and pay scale of a forensic expert here.

Highlights 

Forensic expert is someone who analyzes the evidence collected at a crime scene. A forensic expert can work in several career options in the private and government sector. The highlights of Forensic Expert are given below in the table:

What Does a Forensic Expert Do?

Forensic Experts are responsible to analyze, perform experiments and collect evidence at the crime scene. The forensic expert conducts physical and chemical analyses to get the result with the evidence. They use scientific theories and methods to get the result and work inside a laboratory. The work of forensic experts includes the following:

Evidence examination

The Forensic Experts are required to work at a forensic laboratory and analyze details of an incident. To understand the victim’s identity or get the facts or proof from the crime scene. They can perform a blood test to check for traces of toxins, illegal drugs, or things in the blood. They find what type of weapon was used by the attacker for killing. 

Report making and writing

After the process of analysis is done, Forensic Experts are required to make a detailed report. This detailed report consists of the documents and the conclusion of the case. This report is presented in court. 

Coordination and Mentoring

forensic experts are also responsible to help and oversee the teams and agencies. They coordinate with the other teams such as police, labs, and other teams. They carry out the and collect samples to do analysis. 

Filing and Documentation

A Forensic Expert is a person who is responsible for collecting and analyzing evidence. The expert is also responsible for amazing and filing documents for the case. 

Eligibility to become Forensic Expert

• The minimum eligibility criteria to get an entry-level job as a Forensic Expert is a bachelor’s degree in forensic science.
• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biology may also be considered for a job as a Forensic Expert in some organizations

How and When to Start?

If a career as a Forensic Expert excites you then there are certain things, which you must follow. Check all the details below:

• The first step you need to take to become a Forensic Expert is to opt for a bachelor’s degree in Forensic. There are various undergraduate degrees offered in colleges after which the candidate can opt for a career as a Forensic Expert. Some of these are B.Sc Forensic Science, B.Sc Forensic Science and Criminology, B.Tech in Cyber Security & Forensic, B.Sc in Biology or B.Sc Chemistry.
•  A bachelors degree does not guarantee a job as a Forensic Expert. You must ensure to check the skills required to become a forensic expert and whether the course you opt for provides enough academic and training skills or not.
• In order to take admission in a bachelor's degree, you can ensure to check the admission process for a respective institution. Some institutes accept admission in forensic courses on merit basis while others conduct entrance examination for admission.
• It is advisable that you take up internships and projects seriously throughout the academic course to gain extra skills and experience which will help them get a suitable job after the completion of studies. You can focus on laws, criminal case studies and forensic policies for knowledge.
• Now, after the completion of a bachelor’s degree, you can either apply for a job or go for higher studies. If you wish to go for advanced studies after the bachelor’s degree then can take admission in the specialised master’s degree programme in forensics.
•  After the completion of relevant studies, you can explore various job roles and organisations that hire forensic professionals. Apply for the most suitable job role as per your area of expertise.

How to Become a Forensic Expert

Any student can pursue a course to become a forensic expert. Students can pursue a graduation course after the 12th class or post-graduation after the completion of graduation. The famous courses are B.Sc in Forensic Science, Master in Forensic science, Ph D in Forensic Science, PG Diploma in Forensic Science, and some certificate courses. 

How to Become Forensic Expert After 12th Class

Aspirants who want to make a career in forensics can pursue graduation courses after the completion of 10+2. Students must have Science as a compulsory subject in the 12th class. Students must have a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board. 

Top Entrance Exams to Become Forensic Expert After 12th Class

After the 12th class, students can choose to attempt entrance exams to study at top colleges. Here is the list of top entrance exams for forensic science courses. 

JEE Main: Joint Entrance Examination Main

GSAT: GITAM Science Admission Test

JEE Entrance Exam: Joint Entrance Examination Advanced

IISER-EE: Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Entrance Exam

BITSAT: Birla Institute of Technology & Science Admission Test

OUAT-EE: Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology Entrance Examination

SRMJEEE: SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Examination Engineering

Graduation Courses to Become Forensic Expert After 12th Class

The list below shows the famous graduation courses to become a Forensic Expert after 12th class. 

How to Become Forensic Expert After Gradution 

Students who are graduates and looking to make a career in forensic science can also opt for the post-graduation courses. However, students will require to have Science in the 12th class with a minimum of 50% marks in graduation. 

Top Entrance Exams to Become Forensic Expert After Gradution

After graduation, aspirants can opt for the entrance exams to study the post-graduation courses at the best college in India. Here is the list of top entrance exams for forensic science courses after graduation. 

MCAER-CET: Maharashtra Council of Agricultural Education & Research Common Entrance Test

NEST: National Entrance Screening Test

JNU CEE: Jawaharlal Nehru University Combined Entrance Exam

ICAR AIEEA: Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Exam for Admission

IIT JAM: Indian Institute Of Technology Joint Admissions Test

Graduation Courses to Become Forensic Expert After Gradution

The list below shows the famous graduation courses to become a Forensic Expert after 12th class. 

Types of Job Roles Forensic Expert

A Forensic Expert can choose from a list of job roles. Some of the job roles to be considered as a Forensic Expert is mentioned below:

Crime Scene Examiner

A crime scene examiner is a person who visits a crime scene to contribute to the primary investigation. He/ She marks evidence collects suspected samples and clicks photographs of suspected areas and items. He/She is also responsible to create reports at the crime scene.

Forensic Pathologist

A Forensic pathologist is an expert who is responsible to determine the cause of a sudden death. He/ She performs autopsies and performs laboratory experiments to reach a conclusion.

A forensic pathologist studies injuries in the body and also tests body samples to find the cause of death. They perform microscopic inspection of tissues, body parts and injuries to solve a suspected case.

Crime Laboratory Analyst

A Crime Laboratory Analyst is responsible to examine samples from crime scenes and the human body for inspection. The person spends most of his hours of work in the laboratory for testing and experiments. He/ She will also have to repeat the same task to reach a conclusion.

Forensic IT specialist

A forensic expert can also be a part of the IT world by choosing a career as a Forensic IT specialist. Such professionals are experts who perform an investigation to find out any suspicious activity in a computing device. They extract the deleted, modified and history of a device.

They also try to figure out the person who is responsible for any suspicious activity on a device. All activities performed by a Forensic IT specialist is under certain norms and standard protocols defined by a firm or organization. 

Forensic Psychologist

A forensic psychologist is a professional who understands the psychological behavior of criminals to prevent such crimes in the future. They conduct interviews with the criminals to analyze their traits. After applying their knowledge and research, the forensic psychologist reaches a conclusion like the reason for the occurrence of crime and the psychological behaviors of a person.

Employment Sector or Industry

Forensic Experts are needed in government sectors, private organizations and research centres. Some of the sectors where a Forensic Expert can find employment are as follows:

• Forensic labs
• Crime Branches
• Narcotics department
• Hospitals
• Police department
• Security Service Agencies

Top Recruiting Companies/ Agencies/ Organizations

Various organizations in India hire Forensic Experts for various job roles. Some of the top recruiters are listed below:

• Directorate of Forensic Science Services (Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India)
• Intelligence Bureau
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
•  Intelligence Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India)
• Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL)
• IFO Forensic Standards and Research Pvt Lt

Employment Sector/Industry for Forensic Expert

Skills Required to Become a Forensic Expert 

There is various forensic expert skill that one individual must have in order to pursue a successful career. A forensic expert should have this knowledge and skills:

• Critical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Communication Skills
• Technical Skills
• Legal knowledge

Pay Scale/Salary of Forensic Expert

The pay scale of a Forensic Expert varies according to the job roles. Check the following table for a detailed pay scale of a  Forensic Expert for various job roles.

The above figures are an estimate and may vary for different organisation and individual. 

Books & Study Material to Become Forensic Expert

Check the list of some of the good books to read to become a  Forensic Expert :

• Forensic Science in Criminal Investigation and Trials by B.R. Sharma
• Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science by Richard Saferstein
• Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by  Dr. Anil Aggarwal 
• Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques- Suzanne Bell
• The Future of Forensic Science- Daniel A. Martell (Editor), Douglas H. Ubelaker

Pros of becoming a Forensic Expert

• Forensic Expert is a challenging job role with excellent career prospects in government and private organization.
• Skilled forensic professionals are required in various organizations to solve crime scenes, cyber threats and inspect criminals.
• Candidates with some years of experience are well paid and have good career growth options.

Cons of becoming a Forensic Expert

• Better opportunities are available for candidates with a higher education degree like a master’s in forensic science.
• Working hours of Forensic Expert professionals may be inflexible as per the intensity of cases.
•  As a Forensic expert, job roles are a sensitive job and require candidates to be highly dedicated. Getting a suitable job is a challenging task.