Q.What is Forensic Science?
Forensic Science is the application of scientific methods for criminal and civil laws this includes the analysis of anything that could be considered as evidence, including blood, fibers, bullets, fingerprints etc.
Q.What is Online Education?
Online education is type of distance learning, it is basically taking up courses without attending a school university or institute. You can study at home or at work wherever you like, whenever you like, within a prescribed timeframe.
Q.What are online courses?
Online courses, sometimes called e-learning courses, is a method of completing basic level or advanced degree courses over the Internet. There are hundreds of educational institutions that offer online programs. Some of these schools only offer online learning while others offer a mixture of online and classroom learning.
Q.What is the purpose of these courses?
Our courses are for educational enrichment, Career advancement, enhancing knowledge, comfortable learning environment, Lower total costs and professional developments, these courses are best, if you are from subject related area and want certification in your expert area.
Q.What things will I get after joining distance course?
On admission, every student will receive an Identity Card and Study Material/Reference Books etc.
Q.Is online learning right for me?
When thinking about what to study, where to study is also a deciding factor. This may limit the choice of subjects or courses to take. Studying online at your own convenience allows you to no longer worry about class location. By taking an online course, you can really focus on the subject you are interested in and choose from the variety of online courses and programs. Convenience and flexibility are also key reasons for enrolling in online courses.
Q.Where can I register for online education courses?
You can easily register for online education courses Visit- Apply Online to be crosschecked.
Q.When will I receive my study materials, notes books etc?
You will receive it within 15 working days on your preferred address by courier or post, it may take more time in case of some unavoidable circumstances. (For Online Mode Students only)
Q.What is the examination criteria?
Online Examination will be conducted for every course. On the basis of schedule of every course
Q.What if I can't attend an exam date?
Just contact us for alternate date, we will conduct your exam as per your convenient date.
Q.How would I get my certificate when I have completed all the required courses / exam?
We will mail you after you have provided us with all the relevant details required at your preferred address by Courier or Post.
Q.How do I get help if I need it?
Support for online courses is provided through the Student Help Desk. You can email your questions / queries at education@sifs.in.
Q.From where can I obtain application form?
Application form
Q.Although my degree is in an unrelated field of study, I have taken quite a few science courses. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes. A strong science background is not required for admission to the Forensic Science program (as well as future employment in a crime laboratory).
Q.What about Course Credits?
Our Courses will not transfer as college credit. Many colleges, Organizations, Companies and universities around the world do accept our courses certificates as fulfilling prerequisite program requirements. However, we do not keep track of what courses are accepted where and under what circumstances.
Q.Do I have to attend classes?
Students need not to attend any classes for online courses, as we acquaint them with full self-study materials. After completion of course we will give you assignment & projects according to your course structure.
Q.Is SIFS issues Certificate after successful course completion?
YES. We do.
Q.Can I use these course completion certificates for job applications or in my CV/Resume etc?
YES.
Q.Should I have to pay any extra fee for examination, study materials etc?
No. Your course fee includes all the cost including Study materials, Books, Notes, I-Card, Examination Fee etc. You need not to pay any extra amount, but in some cases- Additional Taxes / fees / Service charges may apply. If you are living out of India and interested in printed notes and books then you have to pay shipping/postal charges extra.
Q.What do I do if I can't find a job/internship in forensic science?
Jobs in forensic science can at times be somewhat difficult to obtain. If you have just graduated from college and cannot immediately find a job in forensic science, finding a laboratory job in one of the natural science fields (chemistry, biology, biochemistry, etc.) will give you valuable laboratory technique and instrumentation experience. A strong scientific job background will help make you a strong candidate when applying for forensic science jobs. Being flexible and willing to move may also help you find a job in forensic science. If you limit yourself to a certain city or state, you may wait a long time for job openings. You will have many more opportunities to find a job if you are willing to move to the job instead of waiting for a job to open in your area. Internships in forensic science are also hard to obtain. Many crime labs do not offer internships, or only offer them when they have a specific project to be completed. Call the crime lab you are interested in to see if they have internship opportunities. An applicant with a scientific job background will be better qualified when applying for an internship. If no crime lab internships are available in your area, keep doing other laboratory work, scientific experience will prepare you for your career.
Q.How I can pay my course fee by credit card in USD?
Indian Students may use Universal Currency Converter from Converter Here to pay fee in other currencies, or International students visit this link- Online Fee to see fee structure.
You can pay your course fee from here- Payment Now
Q.Why are internships or training important?
Internships provide students with the opportunity to experience the "real world" of forensic science and the crime laboratory. They also provide recent graduates with the relevant experience that crime laboratory directors seek from applicants. Getting an internship in any laboratory and learning about the theory behind the techniques that are employed can be helpful. This will provide experience in general laboratory procedures as well as safety processes that are employed in laboratories. Be prepared to perform basic functions such as washing glassware or clerical duties.
Things to know about an internship: There are three important things to know about an internship: You may need to set up an internship well in advance of a semester if you wish to finish it the same semester you enroll for it. You need to have an internship agreement form signed by all parties (work supervisor, faculty) before beginning your internship hours. You need to familiarize yourself with the Internship Course Requirements.
Q.Do I have to select an area of specialization right away, or can I take a few courses before choosing a specialization?
While it is not mandatory to choose an area of specialization immediately, many students will find it helpful in drafting their statement of purpose and in choosing the right elective courses. We expect that by the end of your first year, you will be working on a research project.
Q.What does a forensic scientist do?
A forensic scientist is a scientist who usually works in a laboratory setting analyzing particular types of evidence, writing reports and testifying in court as an expert witness.
Q.How can I become a forensic scientist?
If you wish to work in a crime laboratory as a forensic chemist or biologist, you must have a thorough grounding in the basic sciences of chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics. This can be achieved by obtaining a college degree in one of these sciences. Courses in criminal justice may be useful to some extent, but a major in criminal justice is not adequate preparation for a career in forensic science.
Q.Who is a crime scene investigator?
Crime scene investigators or technicians are people who are trained to secure crime scenes and then search for, collect and preserve physical evidence. This evidence is then shipped to a crime laboratory where forensic scientists perform examinations on the evidence.
Q.Who is a Forensic Anthropologist?
A forensic anthropologist is one who is educated in physical anthropology (particularly skeletal biology), archaeology, anatomy and allied sciences, usually with a Ph.D.
Q.Who is a forensic pathologist?
A forensic pathologist is a medical doctor whose job is to determine the cause and/or manner of death in cases of suspicious death. They are sometimes referred to as medical examiners or coroners, depending on the state.
Q.Who is a forensic entomologist?
A forensic entomologist has extensive education and training in entomology, usually with a Ph.D. Almost no one makes a living in the United States solely with forensic entomology work. Instead, most are connected with a university and lend their talents to police agencies, prosecutors, defense attorneys, or courts
Q.Who is a forensic (police) psychologist?
Many people wish to be involved in what is popularly known as forensic psychology. They want to be involved in psychological crime scene reconstruction, psychological profiling and tracking serial criminals. Strictly speaking, this is not forensic psychology. This is police psychology or a form of criminal psychology. Forensic psychology deals with the determination of the ability of an accused person to assist in his own defense or stand trial.
Q.What is Criminology?
The term criminology is sometimes used interchangeably with forensic science. In fact, criminology is a social science that studies how and why people commit crimes, or crime causation. It is part of most criminal justice curricula in colleges and universities.
Q.What is the best route to prepare for a career as a forensic scientist?
In order to become a forensic scientist, one must be well-grounded in the sciences that are important to that discipline. For example, a forensic pathologist must be educated in medicine and pathology. A forensic entomologist must be educated in the biological sciences and entomology.
Q.I am interested to make a career in this field. Where do I start from?
This is a common question, with many answers. Perhaps a good starting point however is to read the specific section of our Forum: "Digital Forensics: Getting Started" (CROSS CHECK). This includes hundreds of posts on this issue.
Q.What about training?
Again, there is a specific area of the Forum dedicated to education and training. In addition, we are currently building an entire section comprising first party reviews of formal courses. Finally, although designed largely for practitioners, the Computer Forensics Tool kit is increasingly used as a training resource.
Q.What types of crime investigation is the Laboratory involved in?
The laboratory is involved in the investigation of murders, assaults, sexual offences, armed robbery, firearm offences, drugs offences, criminal damage, arson, and explosives, hit and run traffic accidents, fraud and any other offences where physical evidence occurs.
Q.What qualifications do I need to have to become a Crime Scene Examiner?
Scene Examiners should possess an HNC or HND in a science-related subject or photography or have relevant experience in a science or technical field.
Q.What training can I expect to receive to be a Scene examiner?
You have to go a specialist training centre to learn all about examining scenes systematically, carefully and thoroughly. Then when you are back in your workplace you will have more training locally to develop your competence with real-life casework.
Q.Where Will I Work?
Forensic scientists work in laboratories, at crime scenes, in offices, and in morgues. They may work for federal, state and local government, forensic laboratories, medical examiners offices, hospitals, universities, toxicology laboratories, police departments, medical examiner/coroner offices, or as independent forensic science consultants.
Q.What types of scientific tests are used in the Laboratory?
The laboratory uses light microscopy, comparison microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrophoresis, DNA profiling, infra-red spectroscopy (including FTIR-microscopy), thin layer chromatography (TLC), high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary column gas chromatography (GC), GC/ITD, GC-mass spectrometry, micro spectrophotometry, UV spectroscopy, x-ray fluorescence and a variety of chemical screening tests.
Q.What are the other specialized forensic science careers outside the crime laboratory?
Forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, forensic psychiatry, forensic odontology, forensic engineering and so on.
Q.How many crime scenes will I attend?
It is difficult to quantify how many crime scene you attend as it depends on a number of factors such as the number of cases, how many team members there are and what the crime is. It takes longer to examine more complicated crimes scenes like a murder or a fire than it does to examine a stolen vehicle for fingerprints or DNA or Questioned Document.
Q.What kind of education does it take to become a document examiner?
There is no college degree or major requirement in forensic document examination. The majority of FDEs have undergraduate or master's degrees. However, most of the recognized regional and national forensic science organizations require a baccalaureate degree as a condition of membership.
Q.Has a competent document examiner received specialized training?
Like most forensic disciplines, on-the-job specialized training from experienced examiners is the only way to acquire expertise. No substitute exists for a legitimate structured training program. Forensic document examination does not lend itself to autodidactic learning or to correspondence courses
Q.Is graphology the same as forensic document examination?
Graphology or grapho analysis attempts to predict character traits from handwriting examination. Forensic document examination involves the analysis and comparison of questioned documents with known material in order to identify, whenever possible, the author or origin of the questioned document.
Q.Where can you find a qualified forensic document examiner?
Attorneys should search for FDEs who are active members in the recognized national and/or regional forensic science organizations.
Q.How can I make sure my witness is really an expert?
Certifications and credentials should be carefully examined in your expert witness selections. Do they have the proper training, education, professional memberships, certification, and necessary experience? Attorneys should be aware that persons who advertise as handwriting analysts may be self-trained or trained as graphologists. Groups outside of the mainstream forensic science organizations abound.
Apply For
