Forensis Forum Events

The Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science(CFS), School of Social Work, Mangaluru in collaboration with Forensis Alumni Association Roshni, Mangaluru (FAARM) had organised two-days Career Development Program on the theme ‘Professional Prospects in Forensic Science’ held on 18th and 19th November 2022 for both first and second year students of the department. The resource persons for the program were the Alumni of the college working in the various fields of Forensic Science.

Dr. Jenis Mary, Vice-Principal of the college inaugurated the session by lighting the lamp followed by Dr. Saritha D’Souza, HOD of CFS & Program Coordinator, Mr. Devaseelan S. Assistant Professor, Srinivas University (deemed to be) Mukka, an Alumnus, Ms. Siri Kamath, Student coordinator cum Executive member of FAARM and Ms. Nisha D’Souza student representative. Further, she addressed the students about the importance of gaining knowledge on the job opportunities in various fields of Forensic Science. During the course of study, students will have several questions pondering about what’s next? after the completion of the program. This career development program will help the current batch students to plan their future she said.

Dr. Saritha D’Souza, Head of the Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science cum Program Coordinator gave an introductory note on the purpose of organising this program. Forensic Science, being the upcoming field there are a lot of opportunities where students are unaware of it. Hence, it’s an opportunity for the students to know from their own seniors who are working in the various fields of Forensic Science especially in corporate sectors she said. Assistant Professors of the Department Mr. Roshan D’Souza and Mr. Joel Joseph, Alumni Mr. Vinith Jeniffer Raj, Security Officer, Fr. Muller’s Hospital, Kankanady, Mangaluru were present on this occasion.

The first speaker for the session was Mr. Devaseelan S, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Srinivas University (deemed to be) cum Managing Director, SRL Trinity Vision Pvt Ltd. Perambalur, Tamil Nadu on the topic ‘Entrepreneurship in the field of Forensic Science’. He spoke about the concept of entrepreneurship, leadership, management skills, stages of entrepreneurship, innovation in the field of forensic science as an entrepreneurship such as security and risk analysis, private investigation, cyber security and digital consulting, private forensic laboratories and forensic education services. A successful entrepreneur should have communication skills, human relation skills, problem solving, decision making skills and technical skills he said. He also advised the students to think out of the box and work on developing themselves to be an entrepreneur.

The second session was held virtually by Ms. B Chandana, a Career Counsellor in Orient spectra Hyderabad cum Crime Scene Officer Kukatpally Clues Team (Part time), Hyderabad, on the theme ‘Careers in Forensic Psychology’. She spoke about the scope of Forensic Psychology in India in legal systems like Police Investigations in Correctional Institutions, NGO’s as a case worker or counsellor, in education like research, teaching, career counsellor etc., in Forensic labs for Brain mapping, Narcotic test, and other jobs like Freelancer consultant, counsellor, detective agent and analyst. She also gave an idea about the job opportunities in abroad in the field of Forensic Psychology as a Criminal Profiler, Investigation Officer, Counsellor, Forensic Labs, Expert Opinions, and Criminal Assessment. She shared her experience as an intern in the clues team stating how Forensic Psychology can be applied in police investigation.

The third session was held on ‘Job openings in Cyber Security’ by Mr. Chirag C. Suvarna, Cyber Security Analyst, CyberSapiens United LLP, Mangaluru. He spoke on the concept of cyber security and cyber forensics. With the advancement in technology, cybercrime and cyber terrorism is increasing. The main objective of the culprits is to attack an individual’s assets and these acts are usually performed through the dark web. Even in an organisation there will be ‘insider threat’ wherein the person working for the organisation itself is a threat. The IT Act 2000 is a law specifically dealing with cybercrime and electronic commerce. The field of cyber security is extremely vast and involves individuals working as an analyst, engineer, SOC analyst, security auditor he said. Further, he spoke about his work experience on ransom ware cases and steps in investigating cyber Forensic evidence. For all these one needs to aquire basic knowledge about the network, servers and Linux OS. An individual can also undertake various certification courses available in relation to the field he said.

The fourth session was held by Ms. Bindiya T., former Assistant Professor of the department cum Scene of Crime Officer Trainee, Karnataka State Police, Government of Karnataka on ‘Opportunities to become a Scene of Crime officer (SOCO)’. She spoke about the new opportunities provided by the Government of Karnataka with regard to the Scene of Crime officers under the Police department exclusively for the Forensic Science aspirants. Further, she shared her experience and preparation for the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) examination and advised students to refer the syllabus, to read various books in relation to it along with solving previous years question papers. The SOCO examination consisted of Kannada Language which was a compulsory paper and questions related to grammar, translation, letter writing, essay and so on.

The fifth session of the day was held on the topic ‘Tips to Crack Civil Service Examinations’ by Mr. Lamees Nasim, Faculty of Biology, RK Classes, +1, +2 Science Tuitions with Entrance, Kozhikode, Kerala. He stated that the preparation for every exam is different and one should focus entirely on it with dedication and determination. He emphasized on the need to write the state examinations in the state that one belongs to due to issues like state priority and language barrier. For UGC NET and FACT examination it is necessary to have more pure science knowledge. He advised students to devise their own study method, make notes, and follow a timetable in order to crack competitive exams.

The second day program on Career Development was continued on 19th November 2022 at 9.30am. wherein the sixth session was held by Ms. Rachel Fernandes, Analyst-Technology, Mitkat Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai on the topic ‘Importance of Geopolitical Risk Management in Security’. She explained about the needs for risk management, stressing the covid pandemic situation which led to a lot of losses to companies and in individuals. Further, she provided insight into geopolitics associated with business risks like emerging and unstable markets, market volatility, Supply chain disruptions, capital hazard and information vulnerability. She also mentioned about different types of risks in India such as environmental risks, technology risks, terrorist attacks, economic risks. Later, she discussed about think-tanks which is a research based organization and how miktKat is different from think-tanks. It was an interesting session where the students cleared their doubts regarding the topic.

The seventh session was held on the topic ‘Concept of Physical Security’ by Ms. Rithika Brahmananda, an Executive Security at Wipro limited, Bengaluru. She briefly explained about how physical security works, threats faced in the organizations, importance to maintain the confidentiality in this field, ways to deal with situations as a security officer. She has also discussed about the three layers in physical security such as the vital area, the inner layer and the other layer, gave an idea about how to get into corporate sector for the job. It was an interesting session where the students actively participated and cleared the doubt related to the field.

The Eighth session was held on the theme ‘Insights into various Competitive Examinations’ by Ms. Shimona Mae Dias, Scientific Assistant, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Goa. She stated various State and Central Government Examinations which is held for the filling of job vacancies in India. She also shared the steps to apply for the UPSC exams, SSC exams which is for the selection of Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts, Intelligence Bureau, Central Fingerprint Bureau, National Crime Record Bureau and by the Police department depending upon the vacancy, urgency and government funding. She also spoke about the other qualifying exams like SET, NET, FACT/FACT PLUS and advised students to attempt any of these above mentioned examinations. As the students have completed the minimum education qualification for these examination i.e. under graduation wherein current batch students are eligible to attempt. Further she provided information about the three stages of conducting these examinations especially Civil Service such as Preliminary, Mains and Interview. She has also discussed about attempting online mock tests, referring online websites, confidence and effective communication during interviews.

The Ninth session was held on ‘Pointers to Excel in Competitive Job Markets’, by Mr. Babu Bharadwaj, Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology, Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies, Bengaluru Central University, Bengaluru. He spoke about the responsibility of a professional students, gain more knowledge through theory and practical which had to apply during in work place. He stated that the aspects learnt will not go in vain instead is very useful and applicable in daily life. He also shared his experience as a professor and how teaching enhances the knowledge of an individual.

The tenth and the last session of the program was held on ‘Challenges in Global Security Operations’ by Mr. Niketh P.S., Assistant Professor, Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science, School of Social Work, Mangaluru who had experience in working various organizations within a year. He shared his experience as a Security Analyst in Global Security Operation Centre, Hyderabad and Security Investigator in Delhivery Limited, Shivamogga. He discussed about functions of a security analyst with a main aim to digitally secure the company, find out the root cause of the problems and then approach the problems. Further, gave insight into working of CCTV, various types of cameras and other security gadgets for its clarity and backup.

The program concluded at 4:30 pm with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Nisha D’Souza, Second year MSc Criminology and Forensic Science, Class representative of Questioned Documents and Impression Evidences specialization. Altogether, 39 students, 4 faculties and 5 alumni were present during the program. An alumnus Mr. Pradeep Lloyd Martis, General Secretory of FAARM and Ms. Siri Kamath, Executive member and student coordinator and Dr. Saritha D’Souza, Head of the Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science had taken the initiative to organise the 2-days Career Development program. The current batch students gave positive feedback about the program stating it was the need of the hour which is very informative and useful for them to plan their future in the field.