Forensic Science Simplified

Forensic science is one of those fields that interests you terribly, or it’s just not something you can imagine yourself doing. If you are in the former category and like the idea of investigating crime scenes, and also if biology, chemistry, and physics are your favourite subjects, then a degree in forensic science is for you.

Table of contents:

  • What does a degree in Forensic Science offer?
  • Skills for forensic science
  • Top 10 universities to study Forensic Science
  • A forensic science curriculum
  • What do forensic science graduates do?
  • Career options and jobs after graduating in forensic science

What does a degree in Forensic Science offer?

Forensic science is a subject that has fascinated many of us. Most popular TV shows such as Forensic Files, Criminal Minds, Bones, and CSI have made forensic science popular. Forensic science is the study of the science of criminal justice and a crime laboratory-based profession. It is a multidisciplinary course that branches out to social sciences, biology, physics, chemistry, law and even psychology.

Forensic scientists help analyse crime scenes, collect evidence, preserve and examine physical evidence at the time of an investigation. Forensic science is both a theoretical and a practical course; a forensic scientist will work in crime laboratories to conduct objective analysis to provide accurate results regarding the evidence collected during the investigation, and the theoretical part of the course will deal more with the methods of investigation, different tools to manage the proofs and principles of investigation.

Skills for forensic science

  • Knowledge of various fields of science
  • Technical skills
  • Decision making
  • Strong communication skills
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Keen observation
  • Good laboratory practices
  • Critical thinking
  • Quantitative reasoning
  • Computer proficiency
  • Interpersonal skills

Top 10 universities to study Forensic Science

Here are the top 10 universities globally to study Forensic Science:

Serial No. University Country
1 Michigan State University Michigan
United States
2 University of Leicester United Kingdom
3 West Virginia University West Virginia
United States
4 University of Bologna Italy
Emilia-Romagna
5 University of Lausanne Lausanne
Switzerland
6 Tsinghua University Beijing
China
7 University of Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela
Spain
8 Nanyang Technological University Singapore City
Singapore
9 University of Maryland – College Park Maryland
United States
10 University of Copenhagen Copenhagen
Denmark

After completing the undergraduate program in forensic science, you can aim for a master’s program with a specialisation in forensic biology, forensic serology, cytology, forensic entomology, forensic ballistics, forensic psychology or forensic toxicology. There are also doctorate, diploma and certificate courses in Forensic Science offered by many international universities. There is also a branch of forensic science known as forensic medicine. This branch deals in civil, criminal and legal cases and this field is also known as forensic pathology.

A forensic science curriculum

  • Crime and Investigative Techniques
  • DNA Isolation
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Basic Physics
  • Introduction to Forensic Science & Criminalities
  • Forensic Ballistics
  • Forensic Biology
  • Forensic Photography
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Instrumentation & Investigation Techniques
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Fundamentals of Computer Science
  • Cyber Forensics and Law
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Instrumental Chemistry

What do forensic science graduates do?

Most forensic science experts spend their careers solving crimes by analysing the evidence, and most forensic scientists work in laboratory settings. But this is not the only job sector open for this course. There are endless private and government career opportunities available for graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, in the U.S., the job of forensic science technicians is predicted to grow 16% per cent from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This is said to create 17,200 opportunities in multiple fields.

Career options and jobs after graduating in forensic science

  • Investigative officers
  • Drug analyst
  • Crime scene investigator
  • Forensic scientist
  • Law consultant
  • Forensic serologist
  • Crime reporter
  • Forensic engineer
  • Handwriting expert
  • Fingerprint expert
  • Forensic DNA analyst
  • Forensic linguists
  • Police officer
  • Forensic chemists
  • Forensic ballistic expert
  • Forensic pathologists
  • Forensic toxicologist
  • Digital forensic expert
  • Forensic photographer

So, if you are passionate about joining a course that will help in prevailing justice around the world and have a quest like Sherlock Holmes, then there is no better time to get into forensic science.

Check out other career options, for example:

  • Career in Cyber Security
  • Career in Biotechnology
  • Career in Hyperautomation.
Date added
10.02.2022

Filed under:

Global Ed

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