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— Suman H A As forensic science is all about applying scientific principles for crime investigation, forensic experts are drawn from a wide range of scientific disciplines. They work closely with the police to provide scientific evidence that is admissible in a court of law. Often the fate of a criminal case in court hinges on the availability of forensic evidence. Due to the sharp rise in the incidence of crime and fraud, there is an acute shortage of forensic scientists in the country. Opportunities exist in investigation agencies of the government such as the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the CID, the Central Police Organisation (CPO), the crime cells of State police forces as well as in large private detective and security agencies, prison administration, and NGOs. Forensic experts essentially work in forensic labs to establish the link between the criminal and the crime by analysing the physical evidence (hair, fiber, fingerprints, blood, semen, discharged bullets, etc.) obtained from the scene of the crime. They profile DNA, match voices, examine bullet injuries to determine the trajectory of the shot, investigate signs of struggle before a victim was killed, conduct experiments with dummies to establish how the crime was committed and carefully reconstruct the scene of the crime to find vital clues. Present-day hi-tech crimes involving sophisticated computers and ballistics. Contrary to what we see in films, this is not a glamorous field. Instead, it involves a great deal of hard, painstaking work, besides endless appearances in court; although the satisfaction of having cracked a tricky case or nailed a criminal is immense. Even law graduates with a science background would find knowledge of forensic science very useful in framing their arguments and countering the opposition. Similarly, engineering graduates armed with a degree in Computer Science /Electronics and Communication are in demand in areas such as speech signal processing and design. However, autopsies can only be conducted by an MD in Forensic Medicine. The M/o Home Affairs has a special Directorate of Forensic Science and many state forensic science labs are upgrading their facilities. Criminology, which covers the social and legal implications of crime, is also offered as a subject at the BA level in many universities. However, to pursue criminology at the master’s level, it helps to have a legal or social work or sociology background. Incidentally for those who would like to pursue the subject at the Bachelor’s level itself, Delhi University (www.du.ac.in) is launching a unique BSc (Hons) course in Forensic Science for the very first time this year. Encompassing the scope and functions of forensic Science, criminology and law, classification and comparison of fingerprints, the course will be offered at SGTB Khalsa College , North Campus, and subsequently at other colleges. Lost degree Q I did my graduation through distance learning two years ago but have lost/ misplaced my original degree certificate. What should I do now? Can I get a duplicate certificate? — R.K. Virmani A Original degree certificates, mark sheets, transfer certificate, migration certificate etc. are very important documents that are issued by the college/university and you need to be extremely careful about handling and storing them. However, in case you happen to lose certificate, you can obtain a duplicate certificate from your college/ university. The process for getting a duplicate varies from university to university. The first thing to do is to file a complaint at your local police station. The Police authorities will give you a reference number which should be cited in the letter that you give to the college/university. Generally the letter can be addressed to The Registrar of the University. In some cases, you may have to pay some amount to get the duplicate certificate. However, most universities take some time to verify the genuineness of the claim and may refer to the Police concerned about the loss of certificate. If the document cannot be traced within a stipulated time, the university will issue a duplicate certificate. Most universities will not issue the certificate directly but will send it by registered post / courier. RBI examination Q I am 23-year-old and interested in joining the banking sector. Could you give the details of the Reserve Bank Grade 'A'/'B' Officers' Exam? — Hardeep Kaur A With banking services attracting a large number of candidates each year there is intense competition for the handful of posts. Selection for the class I post is made by the Reserve Bank of India Services Board which functions on the lines of UPSC. The Board conducts the R.B.I. Officers' Grade Exams on an all India basis for recruitment of officers' grade. Eligibility: Age: 21 - 26 years. For MPhil / PhD holders the upper age limit will is 31 and 33 years respectively. Age limit relaxed for candidates working with Commercial Bank / Financial Institution in Public Sector to 33 years. Staff Officer Grade 'A' Exams Paper I (Objective Type): Test of General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning. Marks: 200. Duration : 3 hours Paper II (Descriptive Type): Test of English (Essay, Precise Writing/ Comprehension, Business/ Office Correspondence) Marks: 100 Duration: 2.5 hours Paper III: Economic and Social Problems Marks: 100 Duration : 2.5 hours And interview Staff Officer Grade 'B' Exams Paper I (Objective Type): Same as A. Marks: 200. Duration : 3 hours Paper II (Descriptive Type): Test of English Same as A. Marks: 100 Duration: 3 hours Paper III: Economic and Social Problems Marks: 100 Duration : 3 hours Paper II will be conducted for those candidates who are clear the objective paper. Candidates must qualify in each of the objective- type test and descriptive papers separately. On clearing paper II and III candidates will be called for interview based on merit Note: General category candidates are allowed four attempts. No such restrictions for SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates. RBI proposes to arrange short –term, free training for SC/ST candidates at select centres. How to prepare: Refer to the competition magazines and consult the standard books on GK. Brush up your basics using tenth standard books. And please remember time management is the key to cracking the paper so stick to the time limit. And if your handwriting resembles a spider crawling across the answer sheet, practice writing legibly. The interview is also conducted to gauge the candidate’s personality and aptitude. For details contact the RBI Services Board, Hong Kong Bank Building, MG Road , Hutatma Chowk , Po Bag No. 10009 Mumbai – 400023 or email: rbisb@bom9.vsnl.net.in Studying medicine in Romania Q I could not prepare adequately for the medical entrances for some reason. If I don’t make it to a good Indian medical college, would Romania be a good option? — Angad Kapoor A For students who could not make it to Indian medical colleges, countries like Russia and CIS countries like Ukraine , and Kazakhstan have been the next options. But now Romania is fast emerging as a destination — especially in the field of medicine, which is the mainstay of Romanian education. The duration of the medical courses is six years, and the cost of the course comes out to be about US $ 3,000 p.a. The living costs are lower than those of some EU countries — approx. US $ 200 p.m. With a 2,000 strong teaching faculty, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Bucharest , one of the oldest institutions in Romania caters to 10,000 students. There are three main schools under the university. Students are selected on the basis of an interview. The minimum eligibility is a Class 12 (Sc). However, an amendment in the Medical Council of India Act in July ’01 had frozen the recognition of all graduate degrees in medicine from anywhere in the world except Nepal, Bangladesh and Ireland . So do check with MCI to make doubly sure. Also don’t forget to obtain an NOC (eligibility certificate) from them before you leave. On returning to India , you have to clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam — a screening test conducted by the National Board of Examinations (MHFW) to register with the MCl or any State Medical Council in order to practice in India . Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements (same as for CBSE PMT) before applying to these foreign colleges. The writer is a noted career consultant Please send in your query, preferably on a postcard, along with your full name, complete address and academic qualifications to: Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at careers@tribunemail.com
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Q
I have completed
my BA and planning to take MA (criminology). Please tell me the job
opportunities in India.
