For people at large, forensic scientists are those people who help police in solving difficuly cases by collecting and analysing even the most minute bits of evidence of a crime. To put it more precisely, Forensic Science is application of scientific knowledge to solves legal problems. It involves collection, examination and presentation of scientific evidence to solve crimes. The forensic scientists turn clues from crime scene into evidence admissible in court, using the latest technological advances. What's more, Forensic Science is used in a wide range of applications, from roadside blood alcohol testing to murder investigation. As the modus operandi of committing crimes is becoming more and more sophisticated, these experts have been forced to keep pace with the criminals in developing new techniques to catch them.

Forensic Science is broadly divided into three parts-medical,laboratoryand field services.But these are not strictly exclusive and may overlap whenever there arises a need to do so.Also,depending upon the nature and type of the crime and evidence collected,many forensic disciplines could be involved at the same time in detection of the crime. Field sciences generally include crime scene investigation of area like fire and explosion scene and secret drug laboratories. Medical services deal with pathology, psychiatry, psychology, forensic medicine and dentistry. Laboratory services include chemistry, biology, toxicology, ballistics, fingerprints and marks and impressions.

It is felt that clinical scientists make better scientists as the vast range of skills that are acquired and developed in their laboratries, easily get transferred to a forensic science laboratory.

Training in Forensic Science and criminology is available both through universities and specialised institutes at postgraduate level. Graduates in Science (preferably Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology, Biochemistry or Applied Sciences) are required for the M.Sc. and certificate courses. Graduation in Law (LL.B) is a must for diploma in Criminology and Criminal Administration. Master's degree in Psychology/ Social Work is essential if you want to get a Diploma in Guidance and Counselling. Courses are also available in many areas related to Forensic Science including chemistry, biology, serology, ballistics, toxicology, documentation and photography.

The various avenues available in a typical Forensic Science Laboratory are as follows:

Medical Examiner:The applicants for this post must have a medical degree. The medical examiner gets the highest pay. One is required to handle dead bodies and their dissection. The forensic odontologist (related to dentistry) also requires a medical degree. These experts generally work as consultants.

The crime laboratory analysts command a decent pay, work in the lab with stable work hours. They also have to perform dissection of the dead bodies. For any of the specialities, a bachelor's degree in a natural science is required. The microanalysis section provides greater variety. So, if you are interested in DNA testing, then a degree in biology with genetics and biochemistry is required. The person who is interested in critical components of crime-busting operation such as trace evidence examination', a degree in chemistry with courses in optical mineralogy, micro-biology, botany and textile is the eligibility. At time, for the analysis of the evidence, the help of other specialists from areas like entomology, anthropology, zoology and botany etc., is taken.

The work of a forensic engineer is similar to crime scene examiner. This expert deals with cases arising out of traffic accidents, fire investigations and other such wrongful injury cases. Generally, these specialities include electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering and traffic engineering.

There are no fixed hours of working as the crime scene examiner has to carry out his work whenever and wherever the crime takes place. He has to be metally tough to be able to handle dead bodies and other misery situations. The eligibility criteria to become a crime scene examiner is a bachelor's degree either in a natural science with emphasis in law enforcement and crime scene processing or a criminal justice degree with emphasis in natural science.

There are experts from others fields like psychology, social science and statistics, who are required to work part time to help out during recent past, psychological profilers have been working on full-time basis during the investigations. Further, technical analysts are usually attached to an investigative unit and work in the laboratory. But when required, they work outdoors as well.

A postgraduate degree in Forensic Science enables students to pursue careers in the forensic industry, risk assessment industry, insurance claims and accident investigation. These graduates are also well suited for positions in chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, petroleum and food industries and government agencies because the subjects in the course are heavily drawn from chemistry and molecular biology.

• M.Sc in Forensic Science:
  Duration: 2 years.
  Eligibility: Graduates in Science (preferably physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, bio-chemistry or applied sciences).
  Institutes:
  Department of Forensic Science, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar University, Agra (UP); Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, Patiala (Punjab); Department of Forensic Science, University of Madras, Chennai (Tamil Nadu).
• M.Sc. and M.A. in Forensic Science and Criminology:
  Duration: 2 years.
  Eligibility: Graduates in Science (preferably physics, chemistry, biology, bio-chemistry or applied sciences).
  Institutes:
  Department of criminology and Forensic Science. Dr. H. S. Gaur Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (Madhya Pradesh), Department of Criminology and Forensic Science,
  Karnataka University,
  Dharwad (Karnataka).
• Certificate Course in Forensic Science:
  Duration: 1 year
  Eligibility: Graduates in Science (preferably physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, bio-chemistry or applied science).
  Institute:
  Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, New Delhi.
• Diploma in Criminology and Criminal Administration:
  Duration: 1 year.
  Eligibility: Graduate in Law (LL.B.)
  Institutes: Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh); University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.
• Diploma in Guidance and Counselling:
  Duration: 6 months - 1 year.
  Eligibility: Master's degree in Psychology/Social Work.
  Institutes:
  National Council for Educational Training and Research, New Delhi, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar (Tamil Nadu).
• M.A. Social Work (with specialisation in Criminology and Correctional Administration):
  Duration: 2 years
  Eligibility: Graduates preferably with experience in National Service Scheme.
  Institutes:
  University of Delhi, New Delhi, Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai, Madras School of Social Work, Chennai (Tamil Nadu).