Forensic science is better known as criminalistics, which is the application of science to criminal and civil laws on the criminal side during criminal investigation as governed by the legal standards of admissible evidence and criminal procedure. Forensic science is a broad term that follows multiple practices like DNA analysis, fingerprint analysis, blood stain pattern analysis, firearm examination, serology, toxicology, hair and fiber analysis, entomology, questioned documents, anthropology, odontology, pathology, footwear and tire tread analysis, drug chemistry analysis, digital audio, video, and photo analysis. Forensic experts testify as witnesses in both criminal and civil cases and can work for either the prosecution or the defense. The forensic sciences testify to various evidence and study crime through different investigations.

Forensic Science And Criminology Courses

Forensic science is the application of science in a crime or legal context. As a forensic graduate, you are expected to provide scientific evidence in court to either support or defend a party.A degree in forensic science from universities will guide you through a range of practices in skilled professions, which will enable you to pursue a career in policing, law, or insurance in relation to criminal justice. Below is a list of the top universities that provide graduate degrees in forensic science.

University of Kent

The University of Kent has a reputation for excellence in research and teaching forensic science, which is currently ranked best in the by the Guardian and second best in the for graduate prospects. Students have to spend a year on a professional placement and have their main BSc in forensic science accredited by the chartered society of forensic sciences. This university is located less than an hour from London, and students have to study in the heritage city of Canterbury.

Nottingham Trent University

The BSc in forensic science at Nottingham Trent University will assist students in developing and understanding the fundamental principles of crime and forensic science. They will gain practical skills in crime scene investigation, including experimental design and implementation, statistical analysis, data analysis, and modeling, which will enable them to evaluate the weight and applicability of forensic evidence when investigating evidence for court purposes. The university offers an undergraduate course, BSc honors Forensic Science.

University of Greenwich

The forensic and digital investigation course in University of Greenwich develops critical understanding of criminology based on certain concepts and theories. Modules provide you with a core grounding in criminological theories and concepts, social research methods, and specific topics on crime, deviance, and criminal justice. Undergraduate course of study considers Forensic and Digital Investigation BSc Hons degree.

Staffordshire University

At Staffordshire University, you will be taught by experts who control and build up policy. Here, some of the world's most respected criminologists teach and conduct research within their department. The criminology department tackles the problems of crime, deviance, victimization, and social harm through high-end programs that make the subject exciting and intellectually challenging. Here, an undergraduate course in forensic investigation is taught.

Scope of Forensic Science 

Criminology and forensic science at the University of Northumbria will make you learn and understand why crime has become a dominant social problem and how crime and criminal behavior are related to other social issues. You will learn how we can research the challenges that face the criminal justice system while gaining real insight into how criminological knowledge is applied in different sectors. This university provides an undergraduate course in criminology and forensic science (BSc Honors).

Forensic Biology/DNA: Apart from fingerprint analysis, DNA profiling is another commonly used forensic technique in criminal investigations. DNA is unique to an individual just like fingerprints, which help forensic professionals identify or confirm an unidentified person or eliminate suspects from a list of accused. The biological evidence is based on DNA profiling of blood, saliva, semen, skin, urine, and hair.

Forensic Odontology: Forensic odontology identifies victims when bodies are left in an unrecognizable state. This is achieved through the examination of the teeth, their alignment, and the overall structure of the mouth. Forensic dentists help in the comparative identification of a person by examining the development and anatomy of the teeth, including restorative dental corrections such as fillings. This study examines the bite mark analysis.

Controlled substances, such as ecstasy or heroin, and prescription drugs such as oxycodone, help agencies fight against drug abuse and drug-based violence.

Forensic Toxicology: Forensic toxicology involves the analysis of biological samples to check for the presence of toxins and drugs. This branch deals with cases of road accidents, poisoning, sexual violence, etc. The toxicology reports furnish key information about the nature of substances present in an individual pertaining to incidence. It also tests whether a particular drug is within permissible limits or exceeds the dosage limit.

Forensic Anthropology: This study deals with examining compromised human remains or skeletons to help determine the age, height, gender, and ancestry. It also establishes the time since death by examining injuries. This study identifies victims whose bodies are beyond recognition.

Forensic pathology is the branch of pathology that determines the cause of death by examination of the dead body. Forensic medicine involves the collection and analysis of medical samples to deduce facts admissible in a court of law. For example, identification of wound patterns can help determine the weapon used to inflict the wound. Forensic pathologists examine exit and entry wounds in deaths pertaining to the use of firearms. The forensic pathologist can therefore draw crucial inferences to deduce whether the death was natural, criminal, or accidental.

Impression and pattern: Impression evidence is evidence created when two objects come into contact with such a force that it creates an impression. This may be two-dimensional finger prints or three-dimensional, such as marks on a bullet. Pattern evidence analysis involves the identification and analysis of additional information through an impression. This impression can help in the establishment of a crucial link between suspects and a crime scene.

Cyber forensics: this field involves the analysis of evidence found in computers and digital storage media like pen drives, hard disk drives, etc. It has major objectives in identification, preservation, recovery, and analyzing facts and opinions about digital information. It is mostly used in the investigation of cyber crimes, which are widely used in civil proceedings.

Conclusion: Forensic science is a broad field of study where different techniques are used to study the suspects at a crime scene. The forensic sciences and criminology study the different aspects of crime and interrogate suspects to trace the main accused. Many universities provides different courses in Forensic sciences with good placements. 

Best Universities To Study Forensic Science And Criminology