Exploring the World of Forensic Medicine: A Beginner's Guide for Undergraduates

No matter how sharp a criminal is, they always leave traces that elude the naked eye. You must have heard this before. Remember iconic movies like The Bone Collector, where Denzel Washington, confined to a hospital bed, manages to investigate a series of murders with a lot of help from Angelina Jolie? Or how Dexter wipes off entire crime scenes to take matters into his own hands? Over the years, several crime movies and popular TV series have made us aware of forensic science and rendered this field undeniably captivating.

So, are you fascinated by how forensic experts work with absolute detail to solve crimes and mysteries? Do words like fingerprints, blood work, hair samples, shoe marks, etc. intrigue you? If the answer is yes, you may want to consider pursuing a career in forensic science. But wait, where to  start from? What are the various subfields under MBBS forensic medicine? How do you chart a path toward a rewarding career in this exciting medical domain?

Read on to know.

So, what is Forensic Medicine? Well, it is a branch of medicine that uses cutting-edge scientific knowledge and expertise to examine, analyse, and gather evidence considering the law and medical ethics. Now, let's get into the details of what a forensic expert does. A forensic expert identifies, takes pictures and videos, collects, classifies, and analyses physical evidence from a crime scene. They test weapons, fibres, tissues, and objects from the scene and  appear in a courtroom as expert witnesses and share their findings to potentially solve a crime. 

Intrigued much? Now, let's dive into some of the subfields of forensic medicine.

Forensic Pathology

It is the study of means and methods of finding the cause of death by examining a corpse. Forensic pathologists examine a dead body for injuries, toxins, foreign particles, diseases, and foreign DNA, among other things, providing valuable insights for the police or detectives to solve a case.

Forensic Odontology

A forensic odontologyfocuses on the dental records of victims and suspects to solve a case.

Forensic Toxicology

Forensic toxicology include examination of blood and urine samples to rule out the presence of drugs, alcohol, and other toxins, including poison. They play a vital role in solving crime cases where drugs have been used.

Forensic Anthropology

Forensic science also includes the study of human skeletons, which comes in handy when skeletons are available for analysis. Forensic anthropologists examine skeletons to figure out things such as age, sex, and ancestry.

Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis

This forensic science subfield is about testing bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, and semen to identify individuals. Considered one of the revolutionary domains, DNA analysis has changed how detectives look at crime scenes.

So, how does one build a career in forensic science?

Students interested in the domain can take one of the two paths to become forensic scientists. They can take up science in the 12th or intermediate level, then go for a B.Sc. in forensic science, followed by an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in the subject. Or students can opt for an MBBS followed by an MD in forensic science after finishing 12th or intermediate science. The former option is more into Forensic Science and the latter is more into Forensic Medicine and Toxicology.

What is the scope of forensic science in India?

A lot, actually. The first and perhaps the most obvious career choice would be positions in the government sector. Forensic scientists are recruited by laboratories that work for state law enforcement agencies, courts, and bodies such as the CBI. In the private sector, forensic scientists are also hired by law firms, insurance companies, and private cybersecurity firms.

The sad thing is that many students interested in forensic science do not have the slightest awareness about the field. So, if you are eyeing this domain, read books such as Forensic Medicine and Toxicology by Gautam Biswas, A Beginner's Guide to Forensic Science by Carly A. Pietrzyk, or Forensic Science: Discover the Fascinating Methods Scientists Use to Solve Crimes by Chris Cooper to get a feel of the subject.

Your next step should be to prepare for either a BSc or MBBS from a good college that offers faculty and staff with the best qualifications. If you opt for medicine, go through the MBBS course structure, the cost of pursuing both BSc. and MBBS, and then decide which route you want to take. Some of the best colleges for forensic science in India include the ; the, JIPMER, Puducherry, Stanley Medical College, Chennai, and the NALSAR University of Law (NALSAR), Hyderabad. While researching, your keywords should include Forensic Medicine & Toxicology for UnderGrads, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology courses and Forensic Medicine & Toxicology online course.

Last but not least, be aware that forensic science is not for the faint-hearted. Sometimes, the crime scenes can be disturbing. Forensic scientists also spend hours examining little details to find evidence. So, a career in forensic science can be hectic as well.

At the same time, forensic science is fascinating. It challenges you. Forensic scientists and Forensic Medicine Experts constantly work with new things and always have exciting stories to tell. Also, they play an essential role in solving crimes. So, if you think forensic science is for you, start your research today.