When you are fresh out of school, the world is your oyster. You want to explore new opportunities and make choices that will help you grow both personally and professionally. While traditional options like engineering and medicine are always a safe bet, a career in forensic science might be an exciting opportunity. Sherlock Holmes was the first character that introduced a larger audience to the field of forensic science and if you were among those captivated by this field, then the possibility of a lucrative career might interest you. Here is all the information that you will need to pursue Forensic Science courses after 12th.
This Blog Includes:
- Forensic Science Courses After 12th Highlights
- What is Forensic Science?
- Forensic Science Courses
- Eligibility for Forensic Science Courses after 12th
- Forensic Science Subjects
- Forensic Science Colleges in India
- Forensic Science Colleges & Universities Abroad
- BSc Forensic Science
- Career Scope
- Salary after Forensic Science Courses
- FAQs
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Forensic Science Courses After 12th Highlights
Specialization | Forensic Science |
Degree Options After 12th | Diploma (6 months) Bachelors (3 years) |
Eligibility | 10+2 with Science Streeam |
Lateral Entry Option | Direct entry to Bachelor course for those having a 3-year diploma |
Admission Process Abroad | Based on your academic profile and application |
Admission Process in India | Entrance Exam based |
Entrance Exams | CG PAT IISER IAT OUAT GSAT BHU UET NEST |
Fees | Around 50,000 INR in India Over 25 Lakhs to 50 Lakhs abroad |
Average starting salary | 2- 5 Lakhs per Annum |
Jobs | Forensic Scientist Private Investigator Forensic Serologist Forensic Architect Forensic Engineer Drug Analyst Forensic Toxicologist Forensic Consultant Crime Laboratory Analyst |
What is Forensic Science?
Forensic Science is an interdisciplinary branch of science that is the perfect amalgamation of the essence of all the science subjects i.e. chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics. It is basically used to recognise, identify, examine and testify any and every kind of physical evidence mostly found in crime scenes. Forensic Scientists are expected to work in a domain that is a combination of law enforcement and crime-fighting. The modern judiciary system relies heavily on the expertise and abilities of the forensic scientists, as you are expected to be efficient, unbiased and most importantly accurate in the work you do.
Forensic Science Courses
There is a definite educational path that you can follow to become a forensic scientist. Universities across the globe are offering forensic science courses after 12th at various levels like undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Let us have a look at some of the Forensic Science courses in India and across the world.
Education Level | Courses | Duration |
Diploma | Diploma in Forensic Medicine Forensics Diploma (Online) |
3 months to 6 months to 1 year |
Undergraduate | BSc Forensic Science Bachelor of Accident Forensics Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice-Forensic Science Bachelor of Forensic Science Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor’s in Forensic Investigation Bachelor of Applied Science in Forensic Studies |
3 years |
Postgraduate | MSc Forensic Science Master of Forensic Behavioural Science MSc in Forensic Psychology Masters in Forensic Anthropology Master of Philosophy in Forensic Science |
2 years |
If you are wondering if Forensic Science courses require NEET, the answer is no. You can pursue BSc and MSc Forensic Science courses without appearing for the NEET exam.
Eligibility for Forensic Science Courses after 12th
Be it any forensic science course after 12th that you are looking forward to applying for, it is important to thoroughly check the eligibility criteria. To help you with what all is required before applying for a forensic science course, we have listed down below all the important points that you need to keep in mind-
- Basic qualification of 10+2 with BiPC subjects from a recognised board
- A good score in English language proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, etc
Whereas in India some universities may demand candidates to qualify entrance exams like OUAT, GSAT, NEST, CG PAT, BHU UET, etc.
Forensic Science Subjects
Forensic Sciences comprise Forensic Pathology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Pathology, Odontology, Forensic Medicine and much more. Forensic Science subjects include:
- Crime and Investigative Techniques
- DNA Isolation
- Forensic Ballistics
- Questioned Documents
- DNA Profiling
- Forensic Biology
- Forensic Photography
- Forensic Psychology
- Forensic Toxicology
- Forensic Physics
- Cyber Forensics and Law
- Analytical Chemistry
- Instrumental Chemistry
Forensic Science Colleges in India
Here are the top Forensic Science colleges in India:
- Benaras Hindu University (BHU)
- Gujarat University
- Lovely Professional University (LPU)
- The NorthCap University
- Amity University
- Pondicherry University
- SGT University, Gurgaon
- Parul University
- Apex University
Forensic Science Colleges & Universities Abroad
There are numerous colleges all around the world who offer forensic science courses after 12th. Below we have enlisted the top forensic science colleges in the world:
- University of Cumbria
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Canberra Institute of Technology
- CQ University Australia
- Southern Utah University
- University of Technology Sydney
- Griffith University
- Deakin University
- Abertay University
- University of Canberra
- University of Kent
- London Metropolitan University
Want to know more? Explore the best BSc Forensic Science colleges!
BSc Forensic Science
Most sought-after Forensic Science course after 12th, BSc Forensic Science is offered as a 3-year undergraduate course and imparts students with the knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. You will be equipped with essential understanding and skills required to make a career in Forensic Science especially Document Verification, Handwriting Analysis, Criminal Photography, etc which will come handy in solving crimes. Here are the BSc Forensic Science syllabus:
Criminal Behaviour | Introduction to Forensic Science |
Crime and Socio-Cultural | Crime Scene Investigation |
Physical Evidence in Forensic Science | Introduction to Toxicology | English | X-Ray Diffraction Techniques |
Behavioural Science | Typewriting and Handwriting Analysis | Wound and its Medico-Legal Aspect | DNA and Fingerprint |
Blood Pattern Analysis | Communication Skills | Arson and Explosion Investigation | Personal Identification |
Writing, Overwriting and Documents Analysis | Forensic Anthropology | Fundamental Introduction to Biology |
Fundamental Introduction to Chemistry |
Further Studies
You can pursue certain postgraduate degrees after completing your BSc in forensic science or any other science degree. The postgraduate degrees last for a duration of 2 years. The two postgraduate degrees for a career in forensic science are:
- PG Diploma in Forensic Science
- MSc Forensic Science
- PhD in Forensic Science
- MPhil In Forensic Science
Specialisations
The number of specialisations under the forensic science courses after 12th are numerous, some of them are:
- Forensic Serology
- Forensic Chemistry
- Forensic Biology
- Forensic Ballistics
- Forensic Botany
- Forensic Entomology
- Forensic Toxicology
Career Scope
Pursuing a Forensic Science course after 12th, you can explore a plethora of career opportunities in different sectors. You can work with the police and investigation departments or steer towards a career in research. Here are some of the popular career prospects for Forensic Science graduates:
- Forensic Scientist
- Forensic Engineer
- Crime Reporter
- Handwriting Expert
- Forensic Expert
- Legal Counselor
- Investigative Officer
- Researcher
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Law Consultant
Salary after Forensic Science Courses
Forensic Science Salary in India varies as per the different career profiles. Forensic Science jobs in the private sector offer around 3 Lakhs to 4 Lakhs per annum for entry-level graduates and experienced professionals can also earn up to 6 Lakhs per annum. Forensic Science jobs in the government sector in India offer lucrative salary packages 50,000 INR-1 Lakh per year for entry level graduates and can go higher with time.
FAQs
There are numerous Forensic Science courses in India which students can pursue after 12th PCM and Commerce. The most popular and best courses in Forensic Science are:
-BSc Forensic Science
-Bachelor of Forensic Science Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
-Bachelor of Criminology
-Bachelor of Applied Science in Forensic Studies
-MSc Forensic Science
-MSc in Forensic Psychology
For Forensic Science courses, the basic qualifications vary as per undergraduate and postgraduate level. Like for BSc Forensic Science, candidates need to have completed 10+2 with Science and for MSc Forensic Science, a bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science or related field is required.
To become a Forensics Officer after 12th, you need to pursue BSc Forensic Science which is offered as a 3-year undergraduate program and the applicant is required to have completed 10+2 with Science stream.
There is an immense scope of a career in Forensic Science in India. Candidates having completed Forensic Science courses can explore high-salaried opportunities in the government sector working with the crime departments and medical centres or in the private sector working with healthcare centers and in research as well.
Choosing an unconventional field of study can seem scary but you do not need to give into apprehensive thoughts. With the help of the counsellors at Leverage Edu, you can choose a university that will help enhance your strengths which will help you in establishing yourself in the industry.