The Institute of Forensic Science, which will teach the multi-disciplinary subject at the undergraduate level, was formally inaugurated on Saturday.
This is the first time such a programme is being introduced in Maharashtra. The institute, currently housed on the premises of The Institute of Science, Mumbai, will be later shifted to a new location.
“This branch of science, that aids the criminal justice system, is the need of the hour,” says Rukmani Krishnamurthy, former director of the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories, Maharashtra. “We, therefore, decided to start an independent institute to cater to this discipline alone.” Krishnamurthy will be technical advisor to the institute.
Besides a Bachelors degree in Forensic Science, a PG Diploma in Digital and Cyber Forensic and Law Management, and a PG Diploma in Forensic Science and related Law Management are also being offered.
“Two institutes — one each in Mumbai and Aurangabad — are being started on a priority basis. The state government has sanctioned 130 posts and a grant of Rs9.73 crore, cleared for 2009-10. The BSc course will have a total of 50 seats, while the PG courses will have 40 seats each. The annual fees will be about Rs5,000-6,000,” says SG Gupta, joint director of higher education. The Mumbai institute will be affiliated to Mumbai University, which will award the degrees. DNA had reported in May that Mumbai University’s academic council has approved the courses.
Future plans include a five-year integrated MSc in forensic sciences, and a PhD in the same discipline. A research and development laboratory is also planned. Forensic consultancy services, for providing services to banks and corporate offices, are among other programmes on the cards.
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