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CAREER IN FORENSIC SCIENCE The world "forensic" is derived from the Latin word "forensis" meaning "forum" or court of law". Forensic science is a technique if using scientific methods in solving crimes. It draws upon various branches of science, such as physical, chemical, medical and biological sciences. The forensic science is multi-disciplinary and includes branches such as Forensic documents, Forensic fingerprints, Forensic engineering, Forensic pathology etc. Every MBBS students is taught a bit of forensic medicine (to be able to report any unnatural death that
may come to his notice or he could get held up under section 39 as the Cr PC for withholding evidence form the police) At the MD level, the syllabus for the
specialty course is more in-depth, covering three modules : Forensic Pathology covers all investigation leading to death (cause, time and manner), embalming and disposal of dead bodies, identification of unclaimed bodies, viscera examination, DNA examination etc. Students are also sensitized to the time factor, because evidence lost at this stage is often lost forever. In clinical forensic medicine, students are taught how to lift trace evidence from the blood, nails, hairs, clothing, semen, a vaginal swab, tissue culture, gastric lavage etc. They are also taught how to document those evidence for the court, face a lawyer's cross-examination, understand court proceedings and interpret various sections and sub-sections of the Cr PC. Finally, toxicology is another extensive subject covering data maintenance on all kinds of poisons, their variants, symptoms and management in case of both acute and chronic poisoning Most often, forensic doctors, scientists and police investigators work on a case as team. Yet, despite all their efforts, the evidence may not be finally admissible in court. Nothing is absolute for the judiciary. |