Those who have passed plus two can aim for studying forensic science course at graduation.

Scope for those interested in forensic science course is not limited to post graduation alone.

Individuals willing to pursue PhD can choose any one of the area for studying in depth.

Chief job for those who step into the realms of work after studying forensic science course is to assist in the process of investigation.

Their expertise is sought when it comes to investigation of crimes, they help the investigating agencies throw new light on crime cases.

Or, they look for any clues, evidences that have been not examined in the past, so that the investigators can get new leads.

There are more details about forensic science course for the students below, so that they can make a better decision.

Introduction

Forensic Science course is a multidisciplinary field that applies scientific principles to aid in criminal investigations and legal proceedings.

In India, Forensic Science course are offered at various levels, including:

1. Bachelor’s in Forensic Science

2. Master’s in Forensic Science

3. Postgraduate Diploma

4. Certificate courses

Courses are offered as BSc Forensic Science, MSc Forensic Science. Graduation course is usually of three to four years.

Post graduation would be usually of two years. Diploma course can be from 3 months to 15 months in duration.

Where to study Forensic Science course?

There are many institutions to study forensic science course and some of the well-known ones are mentioned below:

1. National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (NICFS), New Delhi

2. Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Hyderabad

3. Indian Institute of Forensic Science (IIFS), Mumbai

4. University of Madras, Chennai

5. Punjabi University, Patiala

Candidates can also browse the online platforms for more information about the course and also the institutions that are offering them.

1. Forensic Biology

2. Forensic Chemistry

3. Forensic Physics

4. Forensic Toxicology

5. DNA Profiling

6. Fingerprints and Document Examination

7. Cyber Forensics

8. Crime Scene Investigation

Career prospects

Those who have learnt forensic science course can look for opportunities as following:

1. Forensic Scientist

2. Crime Scene Investigator

3. Forensic Expert

4. Researcher

5. Teacher/Lecturer

6. Consultant

The pay scale would start with a lower amount for juniors and then it would scale up as one’s experience and knowledge grows.

2. Stay updated with latest technologies and techniques

3. Consider specializing in a particular area (e.g., DNA analysis)

4. Network with professionals in the field

5. Prepare for competitive exams (e.g., UPSC) for government jobs

Bachelors course

Introduction

Bachelors in forensic science course is usually available as BSc and is of three year duration.

Candidates have to give one exam each every year in the normal system, in semester system, they have to appear for two exams a year.

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Yearly system will have three exams, semester system will have 6 exams.

Duration

3 years (6 semesters)

Eligibility

12th standard pass with –

– Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) or

– Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM)

Course Structure

Semester 1-2

– Forensic Biology

– Forensic Chemistry

– Forensic Physics

– Introduction to Forensic Science

Semester 3-4

– DNA Profiling and Molecular Biology

– Forensic Toxicology

– Fingerprints and Document Examination

– Crime Scene Investigation

Semester 5-6

– Cyber Forensics

– Forensic Psychology

– Forensic Anthropology

– Project/Internship

Skills Developed

– Analytical and problem-solving skills

– Observation and documentation skills

– Communication and presentation skills

– Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information

Top Institutes

– National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (NICFS), New Delhi

– Indian Institute of Forensic Science (IIFS), Mumbai

– University of Madras, Chennai

– Punjabi University, Patiala

– Osmania University, Hyderabad

Admission process

– Entrance exams (e.g., CLAT, AILET)

– Merit-based admission

– Personal interview

A few institutions may admit students into forensic science course based on entrance exams.

Couple of institutions conduct their own entrance exams. They have to pass the exams with required qualifying marks to be eligible for the next process.

The next phase after the test usually comprises a personal interview or counselling, or sometimes both.

Some of them offer admission based on merit, seats are offered based on marks in the qualifying exam.

Masters

Those who wish to pursue masters have to complete their graduation in forensic science course.

Duration

2 years (4 semesters)

Eligibility

Bachelor’s degree in

– Forensic Science

– Biology

– Chemistry

– Physics

– Zoology

– Botany

– Microbiology

– Biochemistry

– Biotechnology

Course Structure

Semester 1-2

– Advanced Forensic Biology

– Advanced Forensic Chemistry

– Forensic Toxicology and Pharmacology

– DNA Profiling and Molecular Biology

Semester 3-4

– Forensic Psychology and Criminology

– Cyber Forensics and Digital Evidence

– Forensic Anthropology and Odontology

– Research Methodology and Project

Specializations

– Forensic Biology

– Forensic Chemistry

– Forensic Toxicology

– DNA Profiling

– Cyber Forensics

– Forensic Psychology

Skills Developed

– Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills

– Expertise in specialized areas

– Research and critical thinking skills

– Communication and presentation skills

Admission Process

– Entrance exams (e.g., GATE, NET)

– Merit-based admission

– Personal interview

A few institutions may admit students into forensic science course based on entrance exams.

Couple of institutions conduct their own entrance exams. They have to pass the exams with required qualifying marks to be eligible for the next process.

The next phase after the test usually comprises a personal interview or counselling, or sometimes both.

Some of them offer admission based on merit, seats are offered based on marks in the qualifying exam.

Doctorate

Those who are interested in delving deeper into forensic science course can opt for pursuing a doctorate which is also known as PhD. More details are below:

Duration

3-5 years (full-time), 5-7 years (part-time)

Eligibility

Master’s degree in:

– Forensic Science

– Biology

– Chemistry

– Physics

– Zoology

– Botany

– Microbiology

– Biochemistry

– Biotechnology

with a minimum of 55% marks

Course Structure

– Research methodology

– Advanced forensic science topics

– Original research work

– Thesis preparation

– Defense of thesis

Specializations

– Forensic Biology

– Forensic Chemistry

– Forensic Toxicology

– DNA Profiling

– Cyber Forensics

– Forensic Psychology

– Forensic Anthropology

Research Areas

– Development of new forensic techniques

– Improvement of existing methods

– Interdisciplinary research (e.g., forensic biology and psychology)

Skills Developed

– Expertise in research methodology

– Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills

– Critical thinking and innovation

– Communication and presentation skills

– Leadership and mentorship

And, this sector too offers quite good pay prospects to those who venture into it with a motive to start a career.

However, one must remember that the figures provided here are general in nature, the exact pay packages in reality may vary due to various valid reasons.

Candidates can also conduct their own research on this aspect to know exact information. Details about the pay prospects are provided below:

Junior Forensic Experts (0-3 years of experience)

– Forensic Analyst: ₹250,000 – ₹400,000 per annum

– Junior Forensic Scientist: ₹300,000 – ₹500,000 per annum

Mid-level Forensic Experts (4-7 years of experience)

– Forensic Specialist: ₹600,000 – ₹900,000 per annum

– Senior Forensic Analyst: ₹700,000 – ₹1,000,000 per annum

Senior Forensic Experts (8-12 years of experience)

– Lead Forensic Scientist: ₹1,200,000 – ₹1,800,000 per annum

– Forensic Expert (Court-recognized): ₹1,500,000 – ₹2,500,000 per annum

Top-level Forensic Experts (13+ years of experience)

– Chief Forensic Scientist: ₹2,500,000 – ₹4,000,000 per annum

– Director of Forensic Services: ₹3,500,000 – ₹6,000,000 per annum

The exam will be conducted on 18 May 2025.  This is for those keen on admission into IITs situated in various states of India.

The entrance exam for IIT admission will be conducted by IIT Kanpur for 2025.

Age Limit

Students trying to take up JEE Advanced 2025 application submission must have been born on or after October 1, 2000. Five years age relaxation is given to SC, ST, and PwD candidates, i.e. these candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 1995.

Admission process

Candidates have to take up JEE Advanced 2025 application submission online. Those who have submitted applications will appear for JEE Advanced 2025 conducted by IIT Kanpur.

Individuals have to pass the entrance test with required qualifying marks to be eligible for further procedure which includes counselling.

Counselling is the process where the students can choose the course of their choice and the institution where they desire to study it.

Selection will be done based on performance in the qualifying exam, written test, choice of the course by candidate and availability of seats there.

Who can take up JEE Advanced 2025 application submission?

The eligibility required to take up JEE Advanced 2024 registration is a pass in plus two from a recognized educational institution located anywhere in India.

They must have passed plus two from science stream with subjects as maths/biology physics and chemistry.

Those keen on pure engineering can pass plus two with maths, physics and chemistry as core subjects.

And, candidates focusing on biology or biotechnology oriented engineering courses should have passed plus two with biology, physics and chemistry as subjects.

Applicants must also have passed JEE Mains with a rank among the top 2.5 lakhs on a national level. Candidates who fulfill all these conditions can take up JEE Advanced 2025 registration.

The URL mentioned above has to be typed into the browser of the computer and the website has to be allowed to download.

Process differs here as applicants are divided into two categories – Indian citizens and foreign nationals and the process to register is different for both these categories.

Foreign applicants

Once the web page is available in the browser, candidates must click the registration link.

Post clicking the link, candidates can provide details like their name, date of birth, and email id and create an account comprising a username and password.

Once the account is ready, candidates can log in and start filling out the application form for JEE Advanced 2025.

The form has to be filled and the registration fee has to be paid and submitted.

Post submission, applicants have to wait for the message indicating successful submission, once it is obtained, it can be downloaded and a printout of it has to be taken and preserved for future use.

Indian applicants

Eligibility for Indian applicants is a pass in plus-two and also in JEE Mains. They can visit the official website mentioned above and click the registration link.

Post clicking the registration link, they can enter their JEE Mains roll number, date of birth and other information and log in and begin JEE Advanced 2025 application submission.

JEE Advanced 2025 application submission fee is to be paid and the form has to be submitted.

Website for JEE Advanced 2025 application submission can be accessed here

1. Type the URL mentioned above and submit it to allow the website to download.

2. Once the website is ready, click the link for downloading the hall ticket.

3. Enter application number, date of birth and other details to view the admit card.

4. Download the admit card and take a printout of it.

After JEE Advanced 2025 application submission

Candidates have to attend the exam on the date which would be mentioned at the appropriate time.

Those who have passed the exam with required qualifying marks and are keen on studying BTech in IITs can go for the counselling conducted by JoSAA.

Students who have a desire to study BArch in IITs can appear for AAT (Architecture Aptitude Test) which will open for registration after result declaration for JEE Advanced 2025.

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