Forensic Science & Forensic Art
Today, the need for scientific techniques to investigate crime can scarcely be exaggerated. Of the various means to do this, Forensic Science is the most important one. It relates to the application of scientific method and techniques to the investigation of crime. The scientific investigation of present day hi-tech crimes requires the assistance of forensic specialists. Sound forensic science practices play a crucial role in the effectiveness of the criminal justice delivery system. The Police and judiciary now lay more emphasis on scientific investigation.
Forensic science plays a major role in identifying the criminals involved in heinous crime, such as murder and sexual assaults through? NA profiling techniques; forensic analysis of bomb blast clues; Identifying the involvement of particular firearms in commission of come and handling any type of ballistic related crimes; identifying the drugs of abuse under NDPS Act; investigating crimes against women ( bride burning cases).

Personal attributes

Candidates need to have scientific bent of mind and willingness to accept challenges. Logical and systemic in work habits. He/she should be a logical. thinker and a curious person. Graduates in Physical/Biological Science with chemistry as their subject with knowledge of statistics  are ideal for this field. A Forensic scientist must have the ability of mental detachment so that he remains neutral in his investigations
Forensic scientists need communication skills, an objective app to examining potential court evidence, perseverance and be able to work as a team.

Functions

Some of the tasks the forensic experts may perform include: identify illicit drugs: analyse drugs and poisons in human tissue and body fluids including blood alcohol determination; examine and compare materials such as fibres, paint, cosmetics, oils, petrol, plastics, glass, metals, soils, gunshot residue; compare human and animal biological material with victims and suspects using DNA profiling; Conduct botanical identification of plant materials at trace levels and whole plant identification; conduct document examination, both physical (hand writing and typing) and chemical (links and papers); examine crime scenes; identify firearms and ammunition (forensic ballistics); detect, enhance and identify latent fingerprints, footprints, tool marks, shoe mark, tyre marks and tracks; examine fire and explosion scenes to establish the origin and cause; enhancement and analysis of audio recordings; produce reports, appear in court and present scientific and/or opinion testimony accurately and in a manner which is readily understood by the court; and liaise with, and provide advice to police investigators, scientists and pathologists across a broad range of disciplines.
Forensic scientists can analyse the physical evidence found at the scene of the crime using different types of microscopic instruments. The evidence could be of different types, as in the form of chernica1s and biological evidence like teeth and hair. Based on this they scientifically collate the information and record it. This information is then presented in court as evidence.

Areas of Specialisation

There are different specialists who work in their area of specialisation to coordinate in this activity. An aspirant can build up his forte in any one of the following fields.
In the area of Pathology, he has to carry out post-mortem of the corpse to ascertain the cause of death, time of death, etc. For example, a forensic pathologist, after postmortem examination, reveals the cause of death. After examining the dead body, a pathologist correlates the injury and the type of weapon used to kill the person. They are from a medical background. Forensic toxicologist identifies chemicals, drugs, poison used against the victim.
Forensic psychiatrists are responsible for the mental soundness of the criminal. They conduct several tests to detect the root cause of the crime. There are several other specialists who assist in the crime detection. A Forensic Microbiologist trace the biological evidence of a case whereas a Forensic Odontologist contributes on the basis of dental records. Forensic finger print experts identify the fingerprint sample on the basis of DNA Test. Forensic Anthropologists, based on their knowledge and technique, help in identification and cause of death of skeletal remains.

Eligibility

To be forensic pathologist candidates should have MBBS degree followed by MD in forensic medicine. Candidates willing to go for research work after M.sc may pursue Ph.D programme offered by AIIM.S. Minimum qualification for fingerprint experts is M.Sc or f 1.D In Forensic Science/Genetics/Molecular Biology. In the area of forensic  toxicology M.sc or Ph. D in toxicology or MBBS is required. a Forensic Anthropologist holds a Ph.D degree in physical biological anthropology.

New Development

Biometrics is a new dimension added to this field. It help establishing authenticity of identity of a person on the basis of some of the distinguished physical or behavioural features. These may  include fingerprints, voice, signature, facial features, retina, keystroke pattern, hand geometry, the way a person walks, etc. The use and application of Biometrics is likely to grow faster in the near future.

Forensic Art

If you are fond of seeing T.V serial C.I.D., you must have noticed that for identification of the criminal help of an artist who makes sketch at is often taken. It is a well known fact that no criminal wants that he: she is caught and punished by the law enforcing agencies. And for this purpose they always want .to hide their identity. To make the identity of criminals known by making sketches, based on the information made available, is the primary function of Forensic artist. It is an artistic technique used in the identification, apprehension, or conviction of wanted persons. Forensic art includes several disciplines including composite art, image modification, age progression, post-mortem reconstruction and demonstrative evidence. Of all these, composite art is traditionally the most commonly known discipline of forensic art.
Composite Art is unusual combination of two unlikely disciplines, police investigative work and art. The police sketch artist creates a quality facial drawing with assured confidence. Though drawing skills are important parts of composite art, the real challenge is in the ability to interview and relate to a victim or witness. The purpose is to successfully gather, interpret and illustrate the information obtained from the memory of the victims.
What began as a composite art, in the past twenty years has evolved into forensic art. The forensic artist possesses knowledge of victim psychology, post-mortem reconstruction and human aging. These artists currently use new computer technologies and digital imagery to create more successful investigative images.

Personal attributes

Your skill in drawing should be focused on drawing from life an demonstrate the ability to create a three dimensional drawing from the descriptive words supplied to you. The ability to translate ~al spoken word into an image accurately requires an innate talent t cannot be taught.

Employment opportunities

Depending upon your area of specialsation, you can be employed in universities, government and law enforcement agencies, and criminal investigation units and their laboratories. The part-time contractual aspect of many of these jobs provides income while also giving the artist sufficient time to work on personal artistic goals.

Composite Drawing

A composite sketch artist primarily works with witnesses to create a drawing of a criminal or a wanted person needed usually by law enforcement agencies. He/she uses pencils, charcoals and pastels to create a person's likeness, based descriptions narrated by witnesses or victims. In order to make the sketch a close to the real face of a wanted person, as possible, the artist needs to ask the relevant questions, interpret the answers visually. One needs training in psychology, particularly keeping in mind the vagaries of memory as also effective interview techniques.

Post-Mortem Sketching

The work involves re-creating through sketch likeness of an unidentified deceased person from morgue photos. It requires balanced educated guesses on the basis of study of anatomy and the physiological changes that often occur after death. These artists usually work with forensic pathologists to produce a likely image, taking into account many different factors, depending on the extent and phase of decomposition.

Evidence Preparation

Another highly specialised are of forensic art is preparation demonstrative evidence or displays to use at trials. It involves of drawing, sculpting, model design, animation, digital imaging etc. The artistic expertise required depends on specific g, case requirements.

Institutions offering the study of Forensic Science:

Many universities offer courses in Forensic Science. Graduates in physical sciences like chemistry have a bigger edge over the others. To go in for Forensic Pathology, one needs to do an MBBS and then an MD degree in forensic medicine. Research studies after M.Sc, could be done at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal 795003 offers 3 yr B.Sc. Forensic Science to 10+2 passed students. University of Delhi, Department of Anthropology, Delhi offers Diploma in Forensic Anthropology to graduates. Dr. Harisingh Gaur Vishwavidayala, Sagar (M.P.) and Karnatak University offer Criminology and Forensic Science as an optional subject at graduation level.
Anna University, Chennai (T.N.), Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (V.P.), Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra (U.P.), Dr Harisingh Gaur Vishwavidyalaya, Gaur Nagar, Sagar (M.P.), University of Madras: Chennai (T.N.), Osmania University, Hyderabad (A.P.), Punjabi University, Patiala (Pb.), Utkal University, Bhubneshwar (Orissa) are the other universities offering courses in Forensic Science.