BSc Forensic Science

BSc Forensic Science is a three-year degree programme that focuses on subject matters like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Law, and Forensic Investigation Methods, bestowing students with the skills they need to complete independent projects. The study of forensic science focuses on the application of scientific knowledge to criminal investigations. The main focus of a Bachelors of Science in Forensic Science revolves around crime-lab-based occupations. Essential topics under the syllabus of forensic science include Forensic Pathology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Forensic Medicine, and Odontology (Dentistry), Forensic Toxicology, Forensic Biology and more. Moreover, the scope of forensic science can stretch to fields such as career as Psychiatry, career as Psychology, career as Odontology. 

Aspiring candidates for the forensic science programme must have scored an aggregate of 50% in their 10+2 from an accredited board. Admission to forensic science is either determined by entrance exams or merit. To secure admission in the Forensic Science programme, entrance exams such as CUET, KIITEE, SAAT, and others are quite popular among students. Those who have earned a BSc in this subject stand qualified to apply for research and postgraduate study in the near future. It is believed that there is a renowned college in almost every big Indian city that provides a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science. Amity University, University of Mumbai, St. Xavier's College, and B.K. Birla College of Arts, Science, and Commerce are few of the top universities that offer a bachelor’s in this course. 

The fee structure for a bachelor’s in forensic science varies from college to college or university to university. However, the course fees for forensic science range between INR 30K and INR 2.50 LPA on an average. This bachelor’s degree allows you to work in both the public, as well as the private sectors. Graduates can pursue multiple jobs in the forensic science field such as Forensic Scientists, Investigative Officers, Forensic Accountants, Cyber Forensic Experts, and Law Experts, among other positions after completing their undergraduate degree. The typicalsalary range for a forensic graduate falls somewhere between INR 3 LPA to INR 5 LPA. 

• Admission to Forensic Science is based on the CUET entrance exam. The CUET UG Exam 2025 notification is expected to be released soon. For more details on the exam and its syllabus, click at CUET UG EXAM 2025. 
• KIIITEE entrance exam is very popular among aspiring students of forensics. Click at KIITEE entrance exam 2024 for more details. 
• Students are admitted to Forensic Science programmes on the basis of the SAAT exam as well. Click at SAAT exam 2024 to know its syllabus, dates, eligibility criteria and more. 
• The counselling for JET exam 2024 is now live. To check out the live updates, visit JET exam 2024. 
• SUAT is an entrance exam conducted by Sharda University in Greater Noida for admission into courses like Forensic Science. Click at SUAT Exam 2024 updates to know more about this exam. 

The course highlights of the forensic science undergraduate programme are given below :

BSc Forensic Science is a three-year undergraduate degree programme that provides scientific knowledge to assist students with tactical methods to solve crimes. The study of this discipline covers a wide arena and is believed to be quite diverse in nature. It could be anything, from analysing blood stains and finger prints to carrying out data recovery from mobile phones, laptop computers, and DNA profiling. An ideal student for this subject matter should be someone who possesses analytical skills, technical skills, and the ability to work long hours under pressure. Pursuing a career in the forensic science field involves both, working on-site as well as laboratory testing. After completing graduation in Forensic Science, a student can then go for a Master’s in the same subject matter to increase their knowledge base. 
 

A number of factors make a Forensic Sciencedegree programme a feasible career path for students. A few of them are listed below : 

BSc in Forensic Science can help you develop skills in:

• Crime scene investigation
• Evidence collection
• Evidence analysis and interpretation
• Operating and maintaining equipment
• Conducting chemical tests
• Reading graphs, charts, and scientific data
• Interpreting data 
• Application of scientific methods to support crime investigations 

Forensic Science can also help you to learn about:

• Human nature
• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Scientific norms and principles
• Terminology used in crime reports 
• Ethics 
• Practical Experience 
• Legal Analysis

Forensic scientists use scientific methods to help with law-related matters. They can work in many fields, including : 

• Law enforcement 
• Healthcare
• Finance
• Computing
• Research labs
• Universities
• Academia

BSc Forensic Scientists can : 

• Investigate crime scenes
• Test DNA or drugs
• Become fingerprint officers
• Work as toxicologists
• Become criminal intelligence analysts
• Work in government agencies
• Work for legal firms and private investigators
• Teach 

Abachelor’s in forensic scienceis a three-year undergraduate degree programme that helps students gain scientific knowledge to investigate crimes. Candidates who should study Forensic Science include :

• Students who are interested in forensic analysis, investigating, and solving cases. 
• Students who have passed 12th board exams with a minimum of 50% marks in the Science stream through a recognised board.
• Students who have a strong base in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
• Students who are meticulous in nature, keen on analysing data, and tend to take up critical thinking while assessing any problem. 

Candidates interested in pursuing this course must meet the below-mentioned eligibility criteria in order to be considered for college admission :

• The student must have passed 10+2 from any recognised board or an institution with an aggregate of 50% marks.
• The student must have studied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology during their higher secondary schooling (PCMB or PCB). 

Note : Candidates must meet theeligibility criteria set for a forensic science programme given by the college they are aspiring to take admission in to be accepted for admission to top universities offering forensic science programmes. 

Also Read: Top Colleges in Delhi University Based on NIRF Ranking 2024

Required Skill Set for BSc Forensic Science Course

Applicants considering applyingto a forensic science programme must possess several kinds of skill sets in order to grasp concepts and improve their learning experience. These abilities are also required for establishing a successful career and excelling in forensic science. Applicants can improve their skills and knowledge while studying the discipline matter of forensic science itself. 

A list of some of the top forensic science skills is provided below : 

• Project Management
• Communication Skills
• Research Skills
• Organising Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making Skills
• Leadership
• Teamwork

The following is a list of entrance exams that are necessary for admission to the forensic science programme along with their descriptions : 

Candidates can fill either online or offline application forms depending upon the colleges/universities they are opting for. Admission to forensic science programmes is done on the basis of both an entrance exam and a merit list. 

• BSc Forensic Science Merit based Admission Process : 
  The colleges/universities use the applicants' qualifying exam scores as the major criterion for admission.
• BSc Forensic Science Entrance Exam based Admission Process :
  For admission to Forensic Science degrees, several colleges/universities administer an entrance exam. Admissions are granted based on the results of the candidates' entrance exams.

Most colleges follow the standard admissions process, which is outlined in detail below. Many colleges make decisions related to admissions on the basis of the results of the Common Entrance Examination (CUET).

Step 1: Begin by filling out an online application for a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science.
Step 2: Pay the registration fee and any additional fees (which is calculated on the basis of merit) that may be required during the admissions process. In order to be considered for admission to the entrance-based Forensic Science degree programme, candidates must sit for an exam and secure marks in accordance with the required cut-off. 
Step 3: The candidates who make it to the shortlist will then be invited to the next round of shortlisting - interviews, group discussions, or counselling, depending upon the structure of the selection process.
Step 4: Candidates are advised to submit every required document and fees in order to be eligible for admission to the Forensic Science degree programme after successfully completing the previous steps. 

Also Read: CUET Participating Universities

Admission to the Forensic Science programme is usually based on merit in most colleges and universities. Students who pass a written 10+2 exam with an aggregate of 50% marks, an additional qualifying exam, and various in-person interviews will be admitted to the Forensic Science programme. In cases like these, the candidates are usually chosen on the basis of their academic record as well as their performance on previous relevant exams. 

The field of forensic science is primarily concerned with the investigation and resolution of crimes. Students can use instrumentation techniques, DNA analysis, document examination, and other approaches to investigate a mock crime scene. 

BTech Biotechnology, on the other hand, concentrates on biological processes in a technical method to produce a high-quality product. So, while both classes have different viewpoints, biology is a common thread that runs through both. There are also various BTech Biotechnology career options available at good salary packages to the BTech Biotechnology graduates as well.

When it comes to the Forensic Science programme on the undergraduate level, there are a variety of specialisations that a student can choose from. The following are some of the Forensic Science specialisation courses that are available : 

• Forensic Biology    
• Forensic Serology
• Forensic Ballistics  
• Forensic Chemistry
• Forensic Botany     
• Forensic Entomology
• Forensic Toxicology
• Forensic Psychology
• Clinical Forensic Medicine 
• Cytology
• Dactyloscopy
• Forensic Anthropology 

The syllabus for a bachelor’s in forensic science is divided into three years and six semesters. Candidates in this course will have to focus on subjects related to both theoretical and practical topics in each semester. The syllabus of this course varies from institute to institute. However, every college's course curriculum in the case of forensic science includes exams, practicals, assignments, workshops, projects, and theoretical lectures. 

The detailed syllabusis tabulated below : 

The three-year course of a bachelor’s in forensic science is divided into six semesters. It is pure laboratory-based science that includes elements of Biology, Chemistry, Toxicology, and Ballistics, among others. 

The course curriculum of forensic science course curriculum has been tabulated below :

The study of forensic science is quite popular and in high demand in India. Students can select from a variety of courses based on their preferences as well as interests and can study the course in an offline or online mode,as per their comfort. Full-time and online distance learning courses are all available in handy in case any student doesn’t have the resources to pursue an offline course in forensic science. 

Full-time BSc Forensic Science

A full-time course in forensic scienceis usually completed in a span of three years. The usual full-time course fee for a forensic science programme is between INR 10K and INR 2.50 LPA. For this course, practical knowledge is more important than academic knowledge. 

A basic introduction to forensic science, blood analysis, toxicology, spectrophotometry, and other disciplines are included at the UG level. Punjab University, All India Institute of Medical Science, University of Delhi, Amity University, and others are among the leading universities that provide full-time forensic science programmes. 

Distance Learning - BSc Forensic Science

Most of the public colleges in India provide this course at the undergraduate level on a full-time basis; however, there are a few private universities that offer a course in BSc Forensics through the mode of distance education. In a tremendously huge group which stretches far and wide, this distancing strategy produces diversity. 

 

The course fees for a bachelor’s in forensic science typically range from INR 10k to INR 2.50 LPA. However, the fee structure for the same varies by college or institution. In addition, every college/university that offers admissions to forensic science programmes grants admissions to candidates who fall into one of the reserved category groups or quotas. The fee structure for these reserved groups vary depending on the college/university.  

Banaras Hindu University, Panjab University, University of Madras, and Cochin University of Science and Technology are some of the most popular government colleges offering Forensic Science in India. Candidates can check other popular government colleges that offer Forensic Science courses in the table below :

Note: The figures mentioned above are subject to change.

Some of the popular private colleges in India that offer Forensic Science courses include Amity University, Chandigarh University, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, and Lovely Professional University. In the table below, candidates can find other popular private colleges that offer Forensic Science courses : 

Note: Course fee listed above applies to all degree levels, including UG, PG, PhD, and diploma programmes. Furthermore, the above-mentioned fee range applies to all Arts courses, including UG, PG, PhD, and diploma programmes. 

The following is a list of thetop colleges for bachelor’s in forensic science in India, along with their average yearly costs (INR) : 

Note: The figures mentioned above are subject to change*

Cut-off is the minimum marks a candidate needs to score in a certain exam to stand eligible for the next round of shortlisting as per the selection criteria. Admission to a college is granted to that candidate who manages to receive less than the cut-off percentile, rank, or marks as decided by the college. University-announced test marks, the number of students appearing for the test, and entrance exams, all of these can affect a college's cutoff. 

To attain admission into a forensic science course, the criteria is quite similar in every state. Both the merit list and the entrance examinations are used to determine admissions to the forensic science course. Colleges and universities that offer forensic science use the marks secured by applicants in the qualifying test as the major criterion in the admission process. On the other hand, several Forensic Science colleges and universities conduct an entrance exam to admit students in their forensic science programmes. Admission to a bachelor’s course in forensic science is granted on the basis of the results of the candidates' entrance exam test scores. 

There are many career options in the field of forensic science. You have the option of working for private businesses or the government. Some job descriptions in the field of forensic science are as follows :

The following are some of the other job opportunities for forensic science graduates in this field : 

• Forensic Expert      
• Crime Investigative Officers
• Teacher/Professors
• Law Consultant
• Crime Reporter      
• Forensic Engineer
• Handwriting Expert
• Fingerprint Expert
• Forensic Linguists  
• Forensic Chemists
• Forensic Pathologists
• Forensic Anthropologists
• Forensic Geologists
• Forensic Photographer
• Forensic Artists and Sculptors

Employment Areas for BSc Forensic Science

Jobs after completing a bachelor’s in forensic science can be found in a variety of sectors. Mentioned below are some employment/recruitment areas :

• Intelligence Bureau (IB)
• Hospitals
• Private Detective Agencies
• Police Departments
• Quality Control Bureau
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
• Central Govt. Forensic Sciences Labs
• Universities

BSc Forensic Science Salary

The salary of a forensic science graduatevaries depending on theirexperience, study subjects, specialisation field, and other considerations. Moreover, graduates have an easy time getting work in educational institutions or other departments. 

On an average, a person who holds a BSc in Forensic Science may expect to earn between INR 3 – INR 8 LPA. Years of experience, as well as the quality of one's job, can all contribute to a higher wage. 

The averagesalary structure of a forensic science graduate is mentioned below : 

Note: The figures mentioned above are subject to change.

In the forensic science field, you can pursue Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate, Diploma, and Certificate programmes. The following courses are available:

• Master of Science in Forensic Sciences (MSc in Forensic Science)
• PG Diploma in Forensic Science (PGD in Forensic Science)
• PhD in Forensic Science

Also Read: MBA After BSc: Eligibility, Specializations, Scope, Top Colleges 

In India, there is great potential for a BSc in Forensic Science. The number of crimes is constantly rising, and forensic specialists are essential in identifying the perpetrators through laboratory testing of the forensic evidence. The majority of Forensic Science graduates work for government agencies like the Information Bureau, Forensic Science Laboratory, and Central Bureau of Investigation. Graduates of the BSc in Forensic Science may also consider going into academia or becoming teachers.

However, they must finish a MSc in Forensic Science before choosing to pursue a PhD in the field. Since very few people choose to enrol into a bachelor’s programme in forensic science, it is one of the least competitive fields with generally good career prospects.