Forensis Forum Events

On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of Master’s Program in Criminology and Forensic Science, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Mangaluru,in collaboration with Forensic Alumni Association-Roshni, Mangaluru (FAARM), had organized a virtual National seminar on “Future Forensic – Opportunities and Challenges” followed by the inauguration of “FAARM” on Saturday, 12th March 2022 at 10:00 am in Maria Paiva Hall of the college.

Prof. P.L. Dharma, M.A, Ph.D. Registrar evaluation, Mangalore University was the Inaugurator and Chief Guest. He shared his experience in connection with Roshni working together in several social activities. He stressed on the new age crimes using advanced technology, having their own university of crime, the role of budding forensic experts is much expected by the Law Enforcement Agencies towards making the society crime free. The challenges faced by the Police in the maintenance of law and order, toiling to keep peace and harmony in the society for 24x7 who needs good coordination and help from the Forensic experts in prevention of crime he said.

The Guest of Honour Sri. B.P. Dinesh Kumar, KSPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP- Crime and Traffic) Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate expressed that he is glad to be the part of the event wherein alumni working in various fields who are also connected to the Criminal Justice System and striving together to prevent the crime in the society. The contribution to the police fraternity by the forensic experts are countless that helps to keep the society away from the criminal activities. Even then several challenges are also faced in this advanced technological era to trace the crime and collect the evidences for their conviction.

Dr. Mahabalesh Shetty, Professor and Head of Department of Forensic Medicine, KSHEMA, Deralakatte Mangaluru was also the guest of Honour representing the Forensic experts. He spoke about the bond he had with the institution since 1999 through Late Dr. B. Ashoka during crime scene investigation. He stressed on the importance of bringing back the alumni to the institution as they are the ambassadors of the college representing the institution in various places that they work. This association would help the current batch students to know the challenges and the difficulties faced in the field which in turn provides them the idea to look for the opportunities.

The president of the event Dr. Juliet C.J. Principal of the college expressed her gratitude towards police fraternity for collaborating with the department in crime prevention programmes held for the public and the support rendered in training the students of Criminology and Forensic Science since the beginning of the program. Glad to see the alumni back in the campus and wish the interaction with the current batch would provide more insight into the field.

Dr. Jacita D’Souza, former principal of the institution congratulated the department and the alumni for inaugurating FAARM on the occasion of completing one decade of teaching Criminology and Forensic Science in the college campus. She shared her memories of Dr. B. Ashoka who had taken the initiative to start the Post Graduate Program in Criminology and Forensic Science and the several programmes conducted in collaboration with various law Enforcement agencies.

Dr. Saritha D’Souza, Head of the Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science gave the introductory note on the purpose of organizing this event. She said that School of Social Work, Mangaluru is the fourth one to start Post Graduate program in Criminology and Forensic Science in the State of Karnataka and since 1978 the only institution offering Criminology Program for undergraduates under Mangalore University. The purpose of organizing this program is to bring all the alumni and the current batch students at one platform to discuss and interact with each other. This would help them to explore various opportunities in the relevant field and to create a bond with the institution she said.

Mr. Don Mathew Caeiro, Asst. Professor, Department of Forensic Science, Kristu Jayati College, Bengaluru and President of FAARM gave brief note on the objectives of Forensic Alumni Association-Roshni, Mangaluru. He stated that FAARM aims to foster good will, harmony and understanding among all the members of the association, engage academic and social activities in collaboration with the institution, conduct research and encourage members for the research publications in peer reviewed/UGC care list Journals, to promote ethical and scientific path while delivering justice etc., to mention a few.

The Forensic Alumni Association-Roshni, Mangaluru (FAARM) was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by all the dignitaries on dais followed by unveiling the FAARM Logo. To represent each batch since 2011, 10 alumni placed the floating candles in the bowl kept in front of the stage. Also to commemorate the day symbolically, a mango sapling was planted by putting soil and watering the plant by the guests. Further, office bearers of newly formed FAARM has been introduced, they are Mr. Don Mathew Caeiro, President, Mr. Pradeep Lloyd Martis, Secretory, Mr. Grynal Danthy, Treasurer, Ms. Anitta Joseph, Mr. Joel Joseph and Ms. J. Shravya are the Executive Committee Members. Dr. Juliet C.J. Principal of the college recited Oath for the office bearers of FAARM and wished them all the best by handing over the badges to each one.

During the event, in fond memory of Dr. B Ashoka, FAARM has honoured Mr. Niketh P.S passed out batch student and Ms. V Gouri Sulakshana current batch student with a best research award. This award is given in order to encourage the students to take up more scientific researches and for publication in UGC care list Journals. In relation to the event, Forensis Forum of the Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science had organized a LOGO competition wherein Ms. J. Shravya, Ms. Meghana G, Mr. Atul Raj of MSc CFS logo’s have been awarded as best Logo for the FAARM.

Prof. Evelyn Benis, Secretory, Institute of Social Service and HOD of Social Work, Deans, Coordinators and HOD’s of various department of the institution, Mr. Roshan D’Souza, Asst. Professor and Student Welfare officer of CFS, Alumni, faculties and student of Srinivas college (Deemed to be), Mukka, Mangaluru, Post Graduate Departments of the institution were present on this occasion. Mr. Grynal Danthy, Treasurer of FAARM, delivered vote of thanks, Ms. Bindiya T and Mr. Joel Joseph, Asst. Professors of Criminology and Forensic Science had compered the inaugural programme.

The day began with a virtual national seminar on the theme ‘Future Forensics: Opportunities and Challenges’. Mr. Hemanth Kumar V, Advocate, Karnataka State Bar Council, Bengaluru and Ms. Shikha Thyagi, Faculty, Asean Bureau of Research and Investigation, New Delhi were the resource persons.

Mr. Hemanth Kumar addressed on creation of laws in relation to forensics, ways to administer justice, criminal justice system and its process, relevant case studies, evidence its meaning and importance, role of forensic scientist, collection and analysis of evidence, law that guides forensic science – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Indian Evidence Act, 1872, evidence versus proof, facts, its application challenges and opportunities.

Ms. Shikha Tyagi, expressed on the definition of forensic science, admissibility of evidence, various fields in forensic science such as cyber forensics or computer forensics, ethical hacking, forensic documents analysis, forensic chemistry, forensic biology and its challenges and opportunities which was followed by question and answer session. The National seminar was live streamed through Google meet and College YouTube link. Altogether 350 delegates had registered from various universities in and around the State of Karnataka.

Ms. Meghana G, second year student of the Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science compered the virtual National seminar. Around 100 students graced the occasion and made the event a successful one.

The programme continued with cultural event organized by the current batch students and the alumni of the department also took part in it. First year students of Post Graduate department of Criminology and Forensic Science Mr. Surya Prakash P. delivered vote of thanks and Ms. Nandita N compered the event.

Thereafter, an interactive session was held between the alumni and the current batch students of the department in Maria Paiva hall of the college. The Alumni’s shared their experiences in the field and the difficulties faced during the execution of work. They provided more insight into the opportunities and the challenges faced in the field and ways students need to be prepared accordingly. They also suggested to update the knowledge relevant to the current affairs, to look for the opportunities through various internships, research projects, publications, block placement, various offline and online courses, competitive examinations which adds more credit during the completion of the degree. The current batch student raised questions relevant to the job placements, vacancies in Government and Private sectors, own startups, field specializations expert certification and so on.

Meanwhile faculties and students of Post Graduate Department of Forensic Science, Srinivas College (deemed to be), Mukka, Surathkal, Mangaluru had visited Forensic Science exhibition held in CFS Museum in the administrative block of the college. Mr. Joel Joseph, Asst. Professor, Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science of the college explained the exhibits of various divisions of Forensic Science and its role in prevention and detection of crime. There were 48 students accompanied by Seven faculties during the exhibition.