Forensic science, also known as criminalistics is the application of science to criminal and civil laws, mainly—on the criminal side—during criminal investigation, as governed by the legal standards of admissible evidence and criminal procedure. Here is article on Know the different fields of Forensic Science after Class 12th
Forensic scientists collect, preserve, and analyze scientific evidence during the course of an investigation. While some forensic scientists travel to the scene of the crime to collect the evidence themselves, others occupy a laboratory role, performing analysis on objects brought to them by other individuals. Here are some of the important fields of forensic science which you can pursue after 12th:
Forensic Toxicology
Forensic toxicology is the use of toxicology and disciplines such as analytical chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical chemistry to aid medical or legal investigation of death, poisoning, and drug use. The field of forensic toxicology involves three main sub-disciplines: postmortem forensic toxicology, human performance toxicology, and forensic drug testing.
The field of forensic toxicology has grown to include drug and alcohol testing for employers and traffic enforcement officials, as well as testing animal samples for wildlife criminal investigators. The average salary for a forensic toxicologist is about $75,000 annually but will vary depending on location, type of industry, the difficulty level of work projects, and experience in the field.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is the interaction of the practice or study of psychology and the law. Psychologists interested in this line of applied work may be found working in prisons, jails, rehabilitation centers, police departments, law firms, schools, government agencies, or in private. Among the paths one can take to become a forensic psychologist, the starting point is the same: earning a bachelor’s degree from a fully accredited college or university. A common course of action on the undergraduate level is to major in psychology with a minor in criminal justice, criminology or pre-law.
Forensic Podiatry
Forensic Podiatry is a sub discipline of forensic science in which specialized podiatric knowledge including foot and lower limb anatomy, musculoskeletal function, deformities and disease of foot, ankle, lower extremities, and at times, the entire human body is used in the examination of foot-related evidence in the context of a criminal investigation.
Forensic pathology
Forensic pathology is a pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse. A post mortem is performed by a medical examiner, usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some jurisdictions.
Forensic optometry
Forensic optometry is the study of glasses and other eyewear relating to crime scenes and criminal investigations. Forensic pathology is a field in which the principles of medicine and pathology are applied to determine a cause of death or injury in the context of a legal inquiry. This is one of the best fields of forensic science that you can pursue after 12th.
Forensic Odontology
Forensic dentistry or forensic odontology is the application of dental knowledge to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system. Most often the role of the forensic odonatologist is to establish a person’s identity. Teeth, with their physiologic variations, pathos’s and effects of therapy, record information that remains throughout life and beyond. Forensic odontology has an important role in the recognition of abuse among persons of all ages. A forensic odontologist must first earn a Doctor of Dental Science (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree to become a dentist. Extensive additional training is required in the techniques and methods of forensic odontology, along with hands-on experience, often by shadowing a more senior professional.
In this article, the detailed information about the course in forensic science is provided. Form this you will find how to make a career in forensic science after 12th & give you a chance to make the best career in this widely opened field.
Colleges in India
- University of Madras
- SCMS School of Technology and Management, Kochi Kerala
- SCMS Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research and Development, Kochi Kerala
- Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, Delhi.
- OU – Osmania University, Hyderabad.
- BU – Bundelkhand University, Jhansi.
- Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar.
Job profile
After completing your studies in forensic psychology you can opt for any one of the job Profiles:
- Educational psychologist.
- Clinical psychologist.
- Social worker.
- Probation officer.
- Prison officer.
- NHS employee working as a hospital or community clinician or in a management role.
- Business owner running a private practice.
- Medical sales representative.
- Lecturer or researcher working in a university.
- Self-employed locum working in private practices and private hospitals.
- The national average annual wage of a podiatrist is $148,220.
Salary structure
Forensic pathologists can earn an average of over $200,000 a year, depending upon years of experience and range of specialties. This is one of the higher paying positions in public health services, and even entry-level candidates may be looking at as much as $100,000 as an annual salary.
