Six Forensic Science students bagged the Ministry of Home Affairs Forensic Aptitude and Caliber Test (FACT) examination
Author(s): City Air NewsChandigarh, October 3, 2018: Six students from Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology, Panjab University, Chandigarh have brought laurels to the University by qualifying, Forensic Aptitude and Caliber Test...
Chandigarh, October 3, 2018: Six students from Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology, Panjab University, Chandigarh have brought laurels to the University by qualifying, Forensic Aptitude and Caliber Test (FACT) which was conducted by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, on 23 September 2018 for the first time in the country. It is All- India qualifying test on the name of FACT and FACT Plus.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to conduct this All-India Test with the objective of benchmarking forensic science graduates and professionals. It is a screening test like UGC NET/GATE/ to test the comprehensive aptitude and skills of post graduate students in Forensic Science. The test was administered by LNJN, NICFS (National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, New Delhi) at 15 examination centres across the country. It was an online examination with objective questions testing the candidates command over basic concepts and specialized forensic science subjects i.e. forensic Physics, forensic ballistics, forensic document examination, cyber forensics, forensic chemical sciences, forensic biological sciences. Ministry says “A consolidated list of qualified personnel will be made available for recruitment to central and state Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) which can utilize the services of these qualified professionals for need-based and short term skilled forensic assignments to expedite disposal of pending cases. This national level test ensures minimum standard for forensic science graduates involved in conducting laboratory tests of crime evidence in FSLs in India. Assurance of better qualified professionals will contribute in the quality of forensic science services across the country will be same.”
FACT examination qualifying students from IFSC are in varied disciplines of forensic science namely Jashanjot Kaur ( Forensic Physics), Gurpreet Singh (Forensic Ballistics), Karan Devgun, Priyanka Sareen (Forensic Document Examination), Adersh SL and Senthil Kumar (Cyber Forensics). Dr Shweta Sharma, Chairperson IFSC, congratulated the successful candidates for this achievement and wished for their good career in the Forensics field. She said that the qualifying candidates will be eligible to get employment in the Forensic Laboratories like Central and State FSLs in India.
Another faculty member Dr. Vishal Sharma who is looking after the training and placements said that this test is a good initiative of Ministry as India is facing acute shortage of trained manpower in forensic laboratories for disposal of pending cases. Currently, forensic laboratories are hiring professionals on contractual basis with a view to provide assistance to expedite finalization of forensic reports.