What is forensic medicine?
Forensic science is a multidisciplinary subject comprising the study of biology, chemistry, physics, pathology, psychiatry, dentistry, radiology, toxicology, social sciences, etc. Forensic medicine is however the main branch of forensic science.
This course is an application of science in civil and judicial law pursuits that deals with the most scientific ways to manifest various crimes or legal activities. It is a combination of science and jurisprudence with ethical implications of law in life sciences. This program trains medical professionals in dealing with criminal casework in forensic biology, forensic chemistry, and forensic toxicology. Earlier, people used to determine forensics in the context of DNA analysis, fingerprint detection, and post-mortem investigations, but these are just minimal terms that one could only imagine. Forensic medicine is a divergent field and with the emergence of technology, it has laid out a broad spectrum of specialties such as
- Forensic biology
- Forensic entomology
- Bloodstain pattern analysis
- Forensic Chemistry
- Forensic Ballistics
- Forensic serology
- Forensic psychology
- Forensic toxicology
- Clinical forensic medicine
- Forensic botany
- Forensic DNA analysis
These aspects of forensic medicine work together to refine shreds of evidence to form conclusive results. In general, forensic medicine is applicable in criminal investigations involving cases of assault, robbery, kidnapping, rape, murder, or suicide by gathering and analyzing evidence to prove in a legal case.
Key skills to be a forensic expert
- Knowledge of various fields of science
- Capable of understanding law pursuits
- One should be technically skilled
- One must have strong analytical skills
- Must be insightful and have keen observatory instincts
- Should possess excellent communication skills
- Ability to handle work under pressure
Duties and Responsibilities
A forensic scientist devotes his time working in laboratories and thus, it lays major responsibilities on him to take care of minor details and avoid any mistakes. A forensic expert must hold these responsibilities while working in a forensic department
- Gather every possible evidence at the crime scene
- Form accurate reports of the evidence
- Review all the documents to get the required information
- Test the authenticity of the documents
- Perform necessary lab tests such as DNA analysis, testing fluids and tissue samples, fingerprint identification, etc.
- Form accurate lab reports based on lab testing
- Conduct post-mortem investigations
- Report law enforcing agencies to defend evidence in court
Course Curriculum
- Introduction to forensic science
- Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Behavior
- Crime and Socio-Cultural and Psychological Factor
- Law and Criminal Behavior
- Introduction to Forensic Science, Forensic Science Laboratory
- Instrumentation and investigation techniques
- Crime Scene Investigation – Importance, Location, and Evaluation
- Behavioral Science
- Blood Pattern Analysis
- Grouping and Species Identification
- Fundamental Introduction to Biology and Chemistry
- Analysis of Biological Fluids Like, Semen, Vaginal Swabs, Saliva, Sweat, Urine, Feces, and Vomit
- Introduction to Toxicology
- Forensic Anthropology
- Research Methodology and Statistics
- Forensic Ballistics
- Medico-Legal Aspects
- DNA Fingerprinting
- Computer Application
Employment Opportunities
There is no sparsity in the employment sector in forensic medicine. After completion of this course, one can open his forensic practice & forensic service offices. Forensic scientists typically get employed in forensic laboratories, private consultancies, hospital and healthcare departments, narcotic bureaus, intelligence bureau, quality control bureau, private detective agencies, law firms, police departments, crime branch investigation departments, science and technology laboratories, defence ministries, universities, etc.
Career opportunities in forensic medicine
There are enormous job opportunities in this field, some of the job designations of forensic medicine are listed below:
| Crime scene examiner | Forensic nurse |
| Forensic pathologist | Forensic odontologist |
| Crime laboratory analyst | Forensic toxicologist |
| Forensic psychologist | Crime scene investigator |
| Forensic lab technician | Law consultant |
| Forensic chemist | Fingerprint expert |
| Forensic anthropologist | Forensic serologist |
Salary package in forensic medicine
Forensic medicine is a high demanding course due to the hike in the global crime rate. This sector has shown an overall growth of 12.01% CAGR during the study period of 2018-2026. One can get a job not only in India but also in overseas developed countries. Most of the jobs of forensic science experts are in the government sector that is why the salary is strictly based on the pay scale as fixed by the respective government and it can be anywhere between 4.8-6 LPA to start with. Whereas in the Private sector, the agencies offer handsome salaries to experienced candidates. A well-qualified forensic expert can expect to get 7-8 LPA as a starting salary. However, with experience, professionals can expect to get as high as 9-15 LPA and there is no upper limit of earning of those who have their enterprise and are experts in this field.
Eligibility and course duration
- Diploma in forensic medicine: Diploma in forensic medicine is a short-term course of 2 years. In this period, aspirants will get to know about the core knowledge of forensic medicine that will help them in assisting medical professionals from forensic science and generating practical knowledge of case studies.
Eligibility: To pursue this course, candidates must have passed the 10+2 examination with physics, chemistry, biology/mathematics in the science stream.
- B.Sc. in forensic medicine: This is an undergraduate program in forensic medicine that takes 3 years of program completion. During the course, students will get to learn about laboratory testing, case findings, and dealing with legal procedures related to criminal cases.
Eligibility: The basic eligibility to pursue an undergraduate course in forensic medicine is that candidates must have passed the 10+2 examination with physics, chemistry, and biology in the science stream.
- M.Sc. in forensic medicine: After the completion of the undergraduate program in forensic medicine, candidates can opt for higher studies in this field. Master’s in forensic medicine is a 2-years postgraduate course that gives a deeper understanding of the subject and expertise to medical professionals. One can specialize in any of the given fields for postgraduation
- M.Sc. in Forensic Biology
- M.Sc. in Forensic Serology
- M.Sc. in Forensic Chemistry
- M.Sc. in Forensic Toxicology
- M.Sc. in Forensic Ballistics
- M.Sc. in Forensic Entomology
- M.Sc. in Forensic Botany
Eligibility: Aspirants applying for this course must have a bachelor's degree in forensic medicine or a relevant field to get enrolled in this course. Some colleges might also ask for an entrance exam to pursue this course.
- Ph.D. in forensic medicine: Ph.D. in forensic medicine is a doctoral program of 3-5 years. It is the highest level of education in this field after which candidates ought to get enormous job opportunities in various departments. Given are some listed Ph.D. courses in forensic medicine
- Ph.D. in forensic and investigative sciences
- Ph.D. in forensic and legal medicine
- Ph.D. in forensic chemistry
- Ph.D. in criminology
- Ph.D. in forensic toxicology
Eligibility: To pursue a Ph.D. in forensic medicine or any relevant field, candidates must appear for an entrance exam along with satisfactory marks of a minimum of 60% in the relevant field of postgraduation.
Top colleges of Forensic medicine in India
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
- Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Pondicherry
- King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
- Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
- Sri Ramchandra Institute of Higher Education & Research, Chennai
- JSS Medical College & Hospital, Mysore
- University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
- Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, Bangalore
Top colleges of Forensic medicine in the USA
- University of Washington, Washington
- University of Michigan, Michigan
- University of Texas Southwestern, Texas
- Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
- University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
- Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA
- University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
- University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT
- University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, North Carolina