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Introduction

The majority of forensic science's applications are to criminal law, with some also being to civil law. It is used to reconstruct a crime scene, paying close attention to every last detail, and to acquire evidence from it. Forensic scientists are crucial to helping investigators in cases involving sexual abuse and murder put all the pieces together. On the civil law side, forensic scientists are useful in evaluating whether or not a person is guilty of the crime when accused with a civil offence such knowingly contaminating air or water. The primary distinction between forensic science and other traditional sciences is that the latter's practitioners use it in legal contexts.

The main areas of forensics are as follows:

Forensic engineering - In the subject of forensic engineering, incidents involving the law and legal issues are investigated. They are intended to determine why a specific structure, product, etc. did not work and what may have caused it, identifying the party who is to blame.

Forensic anthropology - is the study of skeletal remains used as evidence, as well as the gathering and analysis of data.

Digital and Computer forensics - As the name implies, digital and computer forensics works with electronics and data in digital form and is especially interested in locating a "digital fingerprint".

Forensic pathology - The victim can always disclose everything in forensic pathology, even after they have passed away. Using mostly chemistry and biology, laboratory analysis can always be used to study the human body.

Toxicology - is a specialty area that studies how various trace elements in the human body affect how it functions. As an illustration, the discovery of the "date-rape drug" in the victim's body following the crime can serve as proof in court.

(Read More: Which country is the best to study toxicology?)

Do I belong in Forensic Science?

You should evaluate your aptitude for forensic sciences if you're considering a profession in this area. You need to be skilled at gathering data, analyzing data, and evaluating evidence. You need also have a solid understanding of mathematics, statistics, and the natural sciences. Apart from a problem-solving, analytical mind, practically everything else can be learnt along the road, thus this inherent talent is not necessary. The primary concern and determinant of success is the reason you chose this area. This field may be a good fit for your skills if you enjoy solving complex problems, looking for a needle in a haystack, making connections, and extracting knowledge from data when others can't. In essence, your buddies are writing, problem-solving, and thinking.

Costs and study alternatives for forensic science

Always consider a number of factors before choosing a forensic science programme, including the programme length, course requirements, concentration options, the need for and availability of internships, whether the coursework aligns with your professional goals and interests, and whether the school you are applying to is accredited. If you decide to pursue a career in this industry, doing your research will help you decide where you want to go and how you want to do it.

In the United States, forensic science programmes typically charge between $10,000 and $20,000 in annual tuition. While not essential, admission to a forensic science programme is frequently contingent on having a strong GPA in this subject. However, one might choose to become a forensic science technician if they already have a bachelor's degree or don't wish to register in a 4-year program. The Cost to become a lab technician in the foreign science in the US ranges from $8,000 to $15,000.

What is the Future scope of forensic science?

Since its inception, the area of forensics has expanded due to the constant demand for bright minds to tackle challenging issues. Over 14% more forensic scientists are expected to be needed in the United States alone. The future of forensics is extending from assisting in investigations of killings, data breaches, financial misappropriations, and cyber security, among others, due to growing populations and a shift towards the digital domain in the twenty-first century. Due to high rates of physical and digital crime, densely populated urban areas in the U.S., India, and China are increasingly in need of trained forensic scientists. For the upcoming decade (the 2020s), there will be an increase in demand for forensic experts.

What are the Career options for graduates in forensic science?

There are numerous job options in forensics that you might investigate:

Forensic specialists

By doing lab and field tests to analyze data and evidence gathered to further our understanding of what may have occurred at the crime scene, you will be assisting law enforcement authorities in criminal cases. A portion of the work would involve looking for fingerprints at the crime scene, figuring out when a murder victim died, or figuring out whether someone has abused drugs. Working with vital substances like poisons and working with dead corpses or blood can all be part of a day's work.

Analyst of Information Security and Digital Forensics

Your position will be in the computer industry's digital realm. You'll need to continuously examine your companies' cyber security systems to identify any weak links and determine how to strengthen them. Finding that digital fingerprint that someone has left in the system will be your responsibility as an investigator as you try to determine how a security breach happened.

Researcher

Depending on your area of interest in forensic sciences, you can become an authority on either the theoretical or practical aspects of the subject as a researcher. As a result, you would spend the most of your time working in a lab to thoroughly learn your specialised sector and attract the attention of people who require your expert expertise.