Forensic science is gaining a lot of importance in the recent past. New job roles and responsibilities are emerging in the field of forensic science. The B.Sc Forensic Science students can expect a good number of job roles in this field.
Some of the important job roles available for the B.Sc Forensic Science students are given below
Let’s discuss them in detail:
Crime Scene Investigator
As a crime scene investigator, one will be involved in securing and protecting crime scenes for collecting important evidence from the crime scenes and make them available for legal procedures.
Roles of the Crime Scene Investigator
The Crime Scene Investigators collect the evidence in case of suspicious death or fire accidents from the crime scene and preserve them carefully for further studies. They are also responsible to process and categorise the evidence from the crime scene. They might even be required to gather photographs, crime weapons, evidence, physical samples that include fingerprints, blood, clothing or biological evidence that are vital for investigations.
Responsibilities of the Crime Scene Investigator
As a crime scene investigator, one has to perform certain duties such as:
- Respond to the calls from the police and reach the crime scene at the earliest
- Protect the crime scene such that no evidence is lost or misplaced and get contaminated
- Work closely with the police authorities, forensic scientists during the investigation of the crime
- Take initiative to find out the evidence and speed up the investigation process
- Take photographs and videos of the crime scene for future investigations and court trials
- Use scientific methods of research to gather the biological evidences such as blood samples, hair from the clothing, etc
- Examine the crime scene for latent fingerprint impressions
- Prepare detailed reports about the case and ensure that the culprit is punished by building strong evidences
- Attend the court trials to give evidence
- Keep updated about the latest techniques involved in evidence collection procedures
Earning Potential
Criminal Case Investigators earn nearly about 4 lakhs to 10 lakhs per annum. The fresh B.Sc Forensic Science students will be earning around 4 lakhs to 6 lakhs per annum. While the experienced professionals are paid more. Sometimes, they are also rewarded with salary hikes and monetary rewards for solving high-profile cases.
Forensic Scientist
As a forensic scientist one should have an enquiring mind and a methodical approach to work and should have excellent analytical ability of mind to crack the crime case. They are responsible to identify the biological evidence and provide them for court trials.
Role of a Forensic Scientist
As a forensic scientist one is required to provide scientific evidence for use in courts of the law to support prosecution or defence in criminal and civil investigations.
Responsibilities of a Forensic Scientists
As a forensic scientist one is needed to:
- Analyse samples such as hair, body fluids, glass, paint and drugs in the laboratory
- Apply techniques such as gas and high-performance liquid chromatography, scanning electron microscopy and mass spectroscopy for identifying the chemical and biological evidences
- Record findings and collect trace evidence from scenes of crimes or accidents
- Attend and examine the scenes of crimes for collecting evidences
- Coordinate with internal and external teams for forensic details
- Analyse and interpret results and computer data
- Present the results in the form of reports that form a strong evidence for legal actions
- Research and develop new forensic technologies
- Keep up to date with latest developments in the field of forensic science
Earning Potential
The forensic scientists earn nearly about 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs per annum. The fresh B.Sc forensic science students will be earning around 4 lakhs to 6 lakhs per annum. The experienced professionals will be earning more.
Analytical Chemist (Forensic Science)
As an analytical chemist (forensic science) one is required to have good technical skills and an eye for detail and is expected to have excellent analytical ability. He/she is responsible to identify the chemical evidence from the crime scene and produce them for court trials.
Role of an Analytical Chemist (Forensic Science)
As an analytical chemist (forensic science) one will use a range of methods to investigate the chemical composition of the substances from the evidence obtained from crime scenes. The main aim of an analytical chemist is to identify and understand about the substance and its behaviour in different conditions and how it was used to commit the crime by the culprit.
Responsibilities of an Analytical Chemist (Forensic Science)
As an Analytical Chemist (forensic science) one is typically required to:
- Analyse samples from various sources to provide information on compounds or quantities of compounds present
- Use analytical techniques and instrumentation such as gas, high performance liquid chromatography, spectroscopy and many other techniques on the collected chemical evidences
- Interpret data and meet strict guidelines on documentation when recording data
- Report scientific results and write legal centric reports for court procedures
- Develop techniques for the analysis of drug products and chemicals
- Work collaboratively in cross functional teams
- Validate methods and equipments
- Attend to courts to give evidence about the crime
- Be updated with the latest developments in the forensic chemistry
Earning Potential
Analytical Chemists (Forensic science) earn nearly about 5 lakhs to 7 lakhs per annum. The fresh graduates will earn nearly around 4 lakhs to 6 lakhs, while experienced professionals are paid more.
Toxicologist
The toxicologists are responsible to study the harmful effects that biological, physical and chemical agents such as drugs, plant toxins, radiation, pesticides, food additives, industrial chemicals have on living organisms.
Role of the Toxicologist
As a toxicologist one is responsible to identify, monitor and evaluate the impact of toxic materials, chemicals, potential new medicines and radiation on the environment and human and animal health.
Responsibilities of a Toxicologist
As a toxicologist one is needed to:
- To conduct laboratory studies on substances or energy in order to determine their effects on animals, plants and human beings
- To conduct new studies on toxic substances and develop drugs for them
- Evaluate the level of risks that are associated with periods and levels of exposure
- Supervise the work of the technicians and assistants
- Develop standards and guidelines for safe levels of chemical and physical agents in workplaces, air, food or drinking water
- Required to isolate, identify and measure toxic substance or radiation and any harmful effects they have on humans, animals or ecosystems
- Required to plan and carryout range of experiments in the field or laboratories looking for biological systems of plants and animals
- Coordinate with regulatory bodies to ensure that everything is complying with local, national and international regulations
- Perform various tests using specialised techniques, including in-vivo and in-vitro tests
- Keep updated about the latest discoveries in toxicology
Earning Potential
Toxicologists earn nearly about 8 lakhs to 12 lakhs per annum. The fresh graduates will earn nearly around 8 lakhs to 10 lakhs, while experienced professionals are paid more.
Final Sentences
The above-mentioned job roles are just to name a few in the field of Forensic Science. The demand is more for forensic science students abroad when compared to India. Many countries such as Belgium, Mexico, Turkey, Germany, France, Russia, Egypt, Brazil, etc are looking for forensic science students from India. The increased crime rates have forced these countries to look for skilled forensic science students in large numbers to find out the real culprits and prosecute them. The skilled B.Sc Forensic Science students are decently paid and are also given a good opportunity to grow in their careers.
The students who are interested to make a fruitful career in the field of forensic science can join the B.Sc Forensic Science course and lead a decent life with a good opportunity to grow in the career.