Forensic Scientist

Use your scientific expertise to aid criminal investigations.

Who's a Forensic Scientist?

Responsibilities

What will you do?

Analysing samples

One of your primary tasks will be to analyse samples such as hair, body fluids, glass, paint and drugs using the equipment in the laboratory. You will be using methods like chromatography, mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and genetic fingerprinting to draw conclusions and share them with the concerned people.

For example – Hair acts as a good DNA marker and also carries traces of any illness that the body might have. You can use the details to identify whether a person frequented a particular place by texting the hair samples found there.

 

Collecting evidence

While a lot of evidence will come to you from the people investigating, there will be times you will need to visit a crime scene to look for anything they might have missed or if any sample was contaminated during transport.

For example – The samples presented to you may have a mix of people who happened to be at the scene and the person you are supposed to be investigating. In that case, you will have to visit the scene again to get the correct samples.

 

Recording findings

Just collecting and analysing samples is not enough. You will also be asked to record your findings in such a way that the report aids others to investigate further. The reports have to be extensive and at the same time understandable by a layman.

For example – Your report on the genetic markers in a hair sample will help the investigators look for people sharing the same genetic mark

Coordinating with other teams

While your work in the laboratory will be done in isolation, you will be required to work with other teams occasionally. You might work with investigators gathering and analysing evidence or with lawyers trying to explain what your reports mean and prepping for trials.

Researching new techniques

Although forensic science is not new, there is still a lot of scope for innovation in this field. Especially when it comes to digital crimes. You have to look for ways to bring about innovation in your methods.

Take the Mentoria career assessment test, to find out how well-suited you are as a Forensic Scientist.

Workplace

Where will you work?

Private Consultancies

Private security, insurance, and investigating firms require a team of forensic scientists to carry out investigations. You will be working with a team of other investigators who might have their own set of specialisations.

Government sector

There are different sections within the government where you can find a job. The most coveted departments include Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Even the police force has a separate forensic science department.

Private laboratories

While some private companies prefer to have their own forensic science departments, there are many who choose to outsource the work to private laboratories. These private laboratories are a great place to work if you want to specialise in a certain field.

Education sector

Forensic science is a growing field with more institutes offering specialisations. These institutes are on the look-out for professionals who can offer a hands-on experience to  the students. 

Education

How do you get there?

This stream won’t help you make an entry into this field.

This stream won’t help you make an entry into this field.

STEP 1: Class XI-XII/Junior College

If you want to get into this field, you will need to pick science with physics, chemistry, and biology as your primary subject.

STEP 2: Graduate Degree

You can pursue a 3-4 years degree program in B. Sc Forensics. The course curriculum includes the subjects like Criminal Procedure and Evidence, Crime Victim Studies, Constitutional Issues in Criminal Procedures, Fingerprint Analysis, Crime Scene Investigation, and Theories of Crime Causation etc.

STEP 3: Postgraduate Degree

It is ideal to pursue your Masters immediately after you complete your graduation. Pursue a two-year Masters or PG Diploma in Forensic Science. It typically consists of core subjects like drug analysis, criminalistics, biological evidence, DNA analysis, trace evidence, Blood splatter patterns, and toxicology etc. You should have at least 3.0 GPA to join MSc in India.

STEP 4: Internship

You can take an internship with a laboratory or a research centre to learn the ropes of the job and gain some practical knowledge. The entry in this field is competitive and you might find short-term contracts and agency work that could lead to full-time appointments.

STEP 5: Land a Job

Congratulations, you’re officially a forensic scientist! You can now continue working in the same place where you did your internship or look for more opportunities in crime labs, police departments, and governmental agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration, hospital labs, medical examiner’s offices, and pharmaceutical companies.

STEP 6: Doctorate

A doctorate degree is essential if you want to seek a lecturing job or go for research or opt for any kind of advanced leadership positions in Forensic sciences. To join the doctoral courses you have to complete your master’s degree and have to get at least 3.0 GPA.  You can pursue your specialisation course in the fields like Forensic Biology, Forensic Serology, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Toxicology, Forensic Ballistics, Forensic Entomology, Forensic Botany etc. in the Forensic science field.

 

Thinking of a career as a Forensic Scientist? Take the Mentoria assessment test & talk to our career counsellors to get personalized step-by-step guidance for your future career path.

What skills would you need?

Attention to Detail

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail means being careful and noticing small things that others might miss. It involves checking your work carefully for mistakes, following instructions exactly, and making sure everything is done correctly. This skill helps you do accurate work and avoid errors. In jobs, attention to detail is important for tasks like writing reports, managing data, or following safety rules.     build this skill
Communication Skills

Communication Skills

Communication skills are the ability to clearly express ideas, information, and feelings, both verbally and in writing, so others can easily understand. This includes listening effectively, using the right tone, and being aware of non-verbal cues like body language. These skills help you explain your thoughts clearly, build relationships, and work better in teams. Good communication is important in almost every job, from customer service to leadership roles, because it ensures that tasks are understood and done correctly, and it helps prevent misunderstandings. build this skill
Critical thinking

Critical thinking

Marketing strategies involve a lot of trial and error. You will come up with a lot of ideas that sound great on paper. When you analyse them, you might learn that they can’t be executed as per the budget. You should be able to look at an idea practically and see if it will serve its purpose.

build this skill
Time Management

Time Management

Time management refers to the ability to plan and organise how much time you spend on specific activities. Good time management enables individuals to work smarter rather than harder, helping them prioritise tasks, set goals, and allocate time efficiently. It includes skills such as prioritisation, scheduling, and setting deadlines, allowing individuals to maximise productivity and reduce stress. This skill is especially valuable in fast-paced environments, where the ability to adapt and adjust priorities can significantly impact performance.
Creative Skills

Creative Skills

Creative skills involve the ability to think outside the box, generate new ideas, and find innovative solutions to problems. These skills include imagination, design thinking, artistic abilities, and the capacity to develop fresh concepts or approaches in different fields, from writing and art to problem-solving in business. Creative skills help you come up with original ideas, improve processes, and develop unique solutions in the workplace. In roles like marketing, design, or product development, creativity is essential for staying competitive and bringing new perspectives to projects or challenges. build this skill
Promotion levels

How do you make it to the top ranks?

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Intern

You will be tasked with shadowing other forensic scientists. You will also be able to gain a lot of practical knowledge

Junior Scientist

You will be working with the most basic analyses. Your work will involve following protocols that have been set by the seniors.

Mid-level Scientist

You will be working with all the analyses that will go through the lab. You can also set new protocols for the juniors to follow with a senior’s approval.

High-level Scientist

You are the one who oversees everything in the lab. You will be in charge of training new people and will also have certain administrative roles.

Scope

Pursuing your career locally VS abroad

Payscale

How much would you get paid?


Specialisations

What are your career options?

Forensic Pathologists

As a forensic pathologist, you help in determining the time and cause of death in police cases.

 

Forensic Anthropologists

As a forensic anthropologist, you help in identification of individuals for the cases like murders or disasters like plane crashes, explosions, fires, etc. You also provide assistance in knowing the age, sex, ancestry, stature and unique features of the dead person.

Clinical Forensic Medicine Experts

As a clinical forensic expert, you work as the examiner of victims or the dead person who has injuries while committing a crime and provide certain conclusions regarding the time of the crime.

 

Forensic Serology Experts

You use your expertise to analyse the blood groups, blood samples, and other body fluids and perform DNA tests to identify the victim of the crime.

Forensic Chemists

As a forensic chemist, you help in detection and identification of traces and evidence of illicit drugs that are used in certain cases like explosions and gunshot residues etc.

Toxicologist

You need to be a professional with qualification in chemistry or biochemistry to work in police departments while detecting and identifying the drugs, poisons, toxin levels, etc. in the body.

 

Forensic Expert/Scientists

You work as part of evidence teams and also work with the police and investigators while investigating the crime to get major crime evidence.

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