Hot career: Forensic science

India TodayMon, Jul 12 07:00 PM Forensic science attracts those with an inquisitive bent of mind and who love adventure. India is making rapid progress in forensic science research. There are innumerable colleges and universities that offer programmes in forensic science, paving way for youngsters to hone their skills and be at par with their global counterparts. Forensic science is primarily concerned with the application of scientific principles for investigation of any crime. This is a challenging and interesting field for those who are inquisitive and love adventure. Forensic science is essentially a laboratory-based profession; and the course qualifies students to apply their knowledge of science for the investigation of a crime. Among the newest editions in forensic science institutes is the Gujarat Forensic Science University (GFSU). The university provides a super specialised post graduate degree course with one year dissertation. It will be able to accommodate 35 students. Gujarat University also plans to launch a certificate course in criminology and forensic science. One of the oldest institutes to offer such a master's course in forensic science is Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science. From this year, a common entrance test to screen candidates will be held. Career opportunities in forensic science are immense. Graduates can delve into fields such as forensic pathology or medicine, forensic anthropology, forensic psychology, forensic dentistry, clinical forensic medicine, forensic entomology, forensic chemist, forensic linguists and dactyloscopy (science of fingerprinting). "Freshers can get jobs as laboratory assistants and technicians and those with some experience can easily progress to academics" says Surinder Nath, head, Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi. Forensic science provides opportunity for graduates to be recruited in hospitals, laboratories and even corporates as document experts. They are also utilised in the areas of anti-terrorist operations, mass disaster management, cyber crime investigation, protection of human rights, environment, consumer and intellectual property rights. Students who start out as lab assistants or technicians get Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per month and those in academics can get Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per month. Eligibility Graduate in physics, chemistry, zoology, botany, biochemistry, microbiology, B.Pharm, BDS or applied sciences. A first division is preferred. Institutes - Faculty of Law, University of Pune www.unipune.ac.in

- Department of Biochemistry, Osmania University www.osmania.ac.in - Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University www.punjabiuniversity.ac.in