MSc Forensic Science
M.Sc. Forensic Sciences is a four-semester, two-year, full-time postgraduate course. The study of what took place before, during, and after a crime is known as forensics. Students can choose to concentrate on one aspect of forensics, like cyber security or biology, that is relevant to the kind of criminal activity that needs to be detected. For the purpose of comprehending the mind of a criminal, the course may also include advanced psychology study.
In a forensics program, risk analysis is a major skill that students can use in life and at work. Attention to detail, critical thinking, analytical observation, and an eye for detail are some of the additional skills that are required of eligible candidates for the course. These skills are useful in every aspect of life. Students can use these skills to solve problems and critically examine the many outcomes of a single action.
The course teaches students how to spot potentially dangerous situations, like cyber security, where a crime might occur, and how to stop digital attacks before they happen. Even handwriting analysis can be utilized in counseling for marriages and to assist individuals in selecting a career path.
M.Sc. in Forensic Sciences: Course Highlights
Tabulated below are some of the major highlights of the course.
| Column1 | Column2 |
| Course Level | Post Graduate |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Examination Type | Semester system |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree in science or equivalent qualification |
| Admission Process | Counseling after qualification for entrance examination |
| Course Fee | INR 20,000 to 2 lacs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2 to 10 lacs |
M.Sc. in Forensic Sciences: What is it About?
M.Sc. The course in Forensic Science is intended for graduate students as well as forensic professionals. The goal of the course is to instill in students both theoretical understanding and the ability to put that knowledge to use in the real world. The fundamentals of forensic biology and chemistry, which serve as the foundation for much of the laboratory analysis in forensic investigations, are taught to all students who enroll.
After that, the evaluation and presentation of various types of evidence in legal contexts as well as their recovery and processing are the subjects of in-depth research. Students in this course have access to numerous modern facilities, including cutting-edge labs. Students are required to complete a research project at the end of the course to improve their research skills in a variety of projects both within the university and through externships.
Qualifications for an MSc in forensic sciences
The minimum requirements for an M.Sc. Courses in forensic science may vary by the institute. Essentially, the standards include:
• A bachelor's degree from a reputable university in science, engineering, pharmacy, or medicine.
• A base total score of 60% at the degree of graduation.
M.Sc. in the field of forensics: Admissions Procedure
The candidate's performance on a relevant qualifying exam and the entrance exam is typically used to create the merit list for the course. Both the entrance exam score and the final qualifying exam score are given equal weight in the overall calculation.
Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds frequently follow the written test round.
M.Sc. in Forensic Sciences: Syllabus and Course Description
A semester-wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below.
| Column1 | Column2 |
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Forensics techniques | Finger prints impressions |
| Physical instrumental methods | Questioned documents |
| Biological instrumental methods | Forensic chemistry |
| Forensic photography | Forensic toxicology |
| Practical | Practical |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Forensic physics | Forensic physics |
| Forensic biology | Forensic chemistry |
| Forensic serology | Forensic ballistics |
| Recent advances | Forensic photography |
| DNA isolation | Finger print analysis |
| Practical | DNA profiling |
| - | Practical |
| - | Dissertation |
M.Sc. in Forensic Sciences: Career Prospects
There has always been career flexibility in forensic toxicology, forensic biology, and crime scene investigation. Using spectrograms, recordings, and machines, forensic speech scientists analyze voice samples to identify the speaker. Some voice accounts are passable as proof in the official courtroom in the enemy of defilement and other criminal offenses. Due to the fact that job descriptions are heavily influenced by one's area of expertise, it is essential to have the ability to collaborate with experts from other related fields like statistics, psychology, and social science. These postgraduates work in hospitals, laboratories, and private organizations.
These postgraduates are frequently hired by businesses as document experts in fields like:
• anti-terrorist operations
• protection of human rights and the environment
• mass disaster management
• cyber-crime investigation
• consumer and intellectual property rights.
| JOB POSITION | JOB DESCRIPTION | AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY |
| Corrections Officer | County Correctional Officers are often civil service workers who supervise and closely monitor jail or correctional facility inmates and the facility itself. They watch over both those who are awaiting trial and those who have already been convicted and are serving their sentence. County Corrections Officers are often required to work nights and weekend shifts. They may also be members of labour unions depending on the locality. | INR 3,37,000 |
| Customs Agent | A Customs Inspector works in the Department of Homeland Security ensuring domestic security against terrorism, inspecting travelers and commercial transport, and enforcing trade regulations. Also, they work with local and federal law enforcement agencies. They inspect and identify potential threats, with sound judgment and critical decision-making skills for interviewing and checking for illegal substances and prohibited foreigners. Some may be trained as dog handlers or be proficient in a foreign language. | INR 5,40,000 |
| Forensic Psychologist | Criminal Forensic Psychologists are highly trained professionals, they typically hold a doctoral degree in their field, though a Master's degree may be sufficient in some cases. Psychologists must be licensed and certification is preferred. They are responsible for providing psychological expertise when required by the criminal justice system. | INR 7,70,000 |
| Compliance Officer | The first duty a Tax Compliance Officer performs in a case is ensuring the accuracy of any credits and deductions a taxpayer has claimed. Often while examining this information, Tax Compliance Officers detect tax problems at the federal, State and local levels. If someone want to claim or payment is determined to be inaccurate, they help and contact the taxpayer. They give advice and pursue legal action if the taxpayer doesn't follow the necessary procedures. | INR 3,33,000 |
| Coast Guard | During the enlistment process, they are required to pass physical exams and background checks that include credit and criminal histories. Some prospects must earn a score of at least 45 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, Arithmetic. They must possess proficiency in science, mechanical comprehension, and object assembly. Some enlisted members generally serve for eight years, though part of their contract could include inactive service. This is an honourable role where the government retains the right to call members back within the contractual period. | INR 6,00,000 |