Forensic Science Career Guide: Roles, Salary 2025 & Future Scope
Diya NihalaniContent Author
Forensic science has evolved over the years. Today, this field has grown and there are lots of students who are applying their skills in this field and making a career in this field. Crime has always existed, but over the years, the method of investigation has changed. Forensic Science is a branch of Science that offers the required knowledge and skills of scientific principles and techniques to analyze physical evidence in legal investigations and criminal cases.
Forensic Science courses are offered at various levels like UG, PG, Diploma, Certification and Doctorate. After completing the Forensic Science course, candidates can either go for government agencies like the Intelligence Bureau, Criminal Investigation Department, Central Bureau of Investigation etc. or can opt for Forensic science jobs in private sectors like Hospitals, Banks etc.
Some popular Forensic Science career options in India include Forensic Scientist, Lab Technician, Investigation Officer, Field Investigator, Crime Reporter and more. The average Forensic Science salary in India is INR 3.5 LPA.
Interested candidates can continue reading the article to get more Forensic Science scope and salary details.
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What is the scope for Forensic Science in India?
Forensic Science Career Scope: Quick Facts
Here are some important statistics and data which the aspiring candidates who wish to pursue a career in Forensic Science need to be aware of:
- The digital forensic market has been witnessing a high growth rate, with a market value of 4.95 Billion USD between 2016 - 2022.
- Around 9,970 Forensic Science Technicians were employed in the US government during the year 2020.
- Total number of autopsies conducted in Portugal was estimated to be around 6.74 thousand from 2010 - 2019.
- Forensic Experts in the US are known to earn around 103,940 US Dollars every year, where the revenue made was highest in 2019.
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Why Pursue Forensic Science?
The field of Forensic Science has evolved. Scientists are always looking for ways to make the research process better because some of the current methods and procedures are ineffective. In this field, psychology is being introduced. Psychologists are urged to question accused people and criminals to comprehend their goals and state of mind.
To solve crimes, Scientists are even attempting to explore other facets of Forensic Chemistry and Biology. It appears like a very promising field. Many students choose this field and course. It is one of those fields that challenges people's thinking; it will always be fascinating.
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Top Career Profiles in Forensic Science
Forensic Science students can work in numerous organizations and job roles. However, the salary is generally based on various factors including job profile, job location, skills, and abilities of the candidate. With gaining experience, the job position and salary also get higher. Interested candidates can take a look at the table below to find Forensic Science scope and salary options:
|
Job Profiles |
Job Description |
Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
|
A Forensic Scientist identifies, collects and examines physical evidence found at a crime scene. |
INR 4.8 LPA |
|
|
Investigation Officer |
Investigative officers are law enforcement professionals responsible for conducting investigations into various types of crimes, incidents, or events to uncover the truth, gather evidence, and build a case for prosecution if necessary. |
INR 4.5 LPA |
|
Field Investigator |
Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) are professionals who are trained to collect, analyze, and preserve physical evidence from crime scenes. |
INR 2.5 LPA |
|
Forensic Expert |
A forensic expert is an individual with specialized training, education, and expertise in applying scientific principles to the analysis of evidence related to criminal investigations, legal cases, or other matters that require scientific analysis. |
INR 3.5 LPA |
|
Crime Reporter |
A crime Reporter is a journalist or reporter who specializes in covering news and stories related to criminal activities, law enforcement, and the justice system. |
INR 2.6 LPA |
|
Drug Analyst |
They ensure that the quality of all the drugs produced in the pharmaceutical industry, whether it is for domestic or export, is up to the mark. |
INR 2.6 LPA |
|
Custom Agent |
They calculate customs duties and taxes, arrange insurance coverage for goods, estimate costs of goods or services, etc. |
INR 2.2 LPA |
Note: The salary information is taken from Ambitionbox.com.
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Emerging Trends in the Forensic Science Field
Here are some recent emerging trends and latest technologies in the market which have impacted the forensic science field:
Digital Forensics: New computer aided technologies used for investigation purposes and to collect meaningful evidence.
Artificial Intelligence: Used in combination with forensic techniques to create a visual representation of the crime scene.
DNA Analysis: Study the blood samples collected from the crime scene to analyze the DNA and collect useful insights.
Fingerprint and Facial Recognition: These age-old techniques have evolved over the time with latest technologies and have helped the scientists gain relevant insights and evidence within a shorter span of time.
Forensic Toxicology: Helps study the drugs, poison and chemical elements found at the crime scene to conclude how they contributed to the crime scene.
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Forensic Science Core Industries
Forensic Science has career scope in both government and private sectors. Forensic scientists make significant contributions to criminal investigation and prosecution. As a result, it provides students with a variety of job prospects. Some areas of Forensic Science course graduate recruitment include:
|
Forensic Science Core Industries |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Intelligence Bureau (IB) |
Central Government Forensic Sciences Labs |
Hospitals |
|
Private Detective Agencies |
Law Firms |
Police Department |
|
Quality Control Bureau |
Banks |
Universities |
Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.
Forensic Science Top Recruiters
Once the candidates get admission to a Forensic Science course, they get to unlock lots of career profiles related to the field. Many renowned top recruiters hire candidates who have studied Forensic Science and who have experience in the related field. Some of the top recruiters are mentioned below:
|
Forensic Science Top Recruiters |
|
|---|---|
|
Intelligence Bureau |
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre |
|
Criminal Investigation Department (India) |
Central Forensic Science Laboratory |
|
Central Bureau Of Investigation |
National Forensic Sciences University |
|
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi |
Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU) |
| Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS) |
National Investigation Agency (NIA) |
Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.
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Forensic Science Colleges for Placements in India
College placements are a great opportunity for students to get hands-on experience with companies and kick-start a professional career. Several Forensic Science colleges are offering great placement opportunities to the students. Candidates can find the best Forensic Science colleges for placement along with average package details in the table below:
| Forensic Science Colleges for Placements | Average Salary Offered |
|---|---|
| Delhi University (DU) Placements | INR 15.5 LPA |
| Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Placements | INR 11.68 LPA |
| Srinivas University Placements | INR 10 LPA |
| JSS Medical College Placements | INR 9.54 LPA |
| Lucknow University Placements | INR 9 LPA |
| Aligarh Muslim University Placements | INR 8.65 LPA |
| Gujarat University Placements | INR 8.55 LPA |
| School of Sciences, Bangalore Placements | INR 5.15 - 7.78 LPA |
| Garden City University, Bangalore Placements | INR 4.5 - 7.5 LPA |
| Graphic Era University Placements | INR 4.75 - 7.75 LPA |
Note: The information is sourced from the official/counseling body and may vary.
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Forensic Science Career FAQs
Q. Is Forensic Science a good scope?
A. A growing area of science, forensics is now a crucial component of criminal investigations. Nearly every field imaginable is covered by the broad scope of Forensic Science. Students who pursue forensics have a variety of options from which to select their desired field of work.
They can either work with government investigation organizations like CBI, CID, IB, CFSL and so on. Or they can opt for private organizations like Media Houses, Hospitals, or Research Centers.
Q. Which is the best Forensic Science job profile?
A. Forensic Science courses are offered at various levels like UG, PG, Diploma, Certification, and Doctoral. Still, the basic Forensic Science Subjects taught during these courses are similar. So, the candidates can opt for any recruiting sector related to their field. Meanwhile, some popular job profiles include Forensic Expert, Crime Reporter, Lab Technician, Investigation Officer, etc.
Q. Which Forensic Science course has the highest salary?
A. Simply pursuing a forensic science course shall not assure you a high paying job, the pay of any job varies across the individual capabilities, skill set, company, location, job profiles and the kind of sectors you're drawn to work in.
Q. Which Forensic Science college offers the best placement options?
A. The top Forensic Science colleges are as follows:
| Colleges | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mumbai University | INR 6 - 18 LPA |
| DU | INR 15.5 LPA |
| KMC | INR 11.68 LPA |
| Srinivas University | INR 10 LPA |
| JSS Medical College | INR 9.54 LPA |
Salary data is from Ambitionbox.com.
Q. How can I get hired as a Forensic Scientist in India?
A. Here are some amazing tips to help you get hired as a Forensic Scientist in India:
- Show the mental strength and capability to handle emotional distress or control on situation as these are the basic traits required in a Forensic Scientist.
- Getting an internship helps in securing oneself a job as most organizations prefer someone who has practical exposure in forensic science. There may be little stipend during the internship but you should try to see it as a learning phase for a better career ahead.
- Working as a Trainee Forensic Scientist or Forensic Laboratory Technician could be a good start.
Q. What are the roles and responsibilities of a Forensic Expert?
A. As the name suggests, a forensic expert tends to deal with forensic evidence and other such operations like:
- Collecting Evidence
- Analyzing Evidence
- Documenting Evidence
- Reporting Findings
- Testifying in Court
- Researching New Techniques
Q. What does a Forensic Accountant do?
A. As a Forensic Accountant you have to investigate the companies that you suspect have committed a fraud, examine all the evidence and present all the details in front of the officials. You will also have to discuss the evidence in the court so that they can conclude that a suspect has committed some serious fraud. You will get very good salary for this.
Best wishes.
Q. Is Forensic Science a better career option in India or abroad?
A. If you want better job options with very good salaries, you can go and settle abroad. Your choice basically is based on your personal goals and finances. Just make sure you conduct a detailed research before making any final career decision. You will also find more work life balance abroad than in India and get a lot of scope for skill development. Best wishes.
Q. What is the scope of Forensic Science in India? Is it good to pursue a BSc in Forensic Science?
A. Forensic Science has a somewhat average scope in India, since a Forensic Science career demands a super-specific skill set. Pursuing a course in this field will do no good if you do not have any relevant skills. Though India has comparatively rare vacancies in the private and public sectors, as compared to other fields. But after the enactment of three new criminal Laws, which seek Forensic reports as compulsory in certain crimes, might push up demands for new forensic experts in the near future.
Q. How to become a Forensic Scientist or Criminalist?
A. Check a few requirements to help you become a Forensic Scientist or a Criminalist below -
- A UG degree – get a degree in Science
- An advanced degree as some jobs, such as psychiatrist, anthropologist or pathologist require advanced degrees and specialized training
- Good note taking and observation skills
- Intellectual curiosity
- Personal integrity
What are some important Skills Required to Get a Job in the Forensic Science Field
A. Some of the skills that may help their Forensic Science Career path thrive are:
- Organizational skills
- Research skills
- Analytical skills
- Technical skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem-solving skills
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