No placements for forensic students

The students of forensic science courses are reeling under confusion of the validity of their course and even about the placements which are not being made available. The forensic science courses were started with the aim to increase the human power for solving criminal cases.

The students who complete their Masters in Forensic Science, a five-year course, were supposed to get placements in the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) located in Kalina, Santacruz as Assistant Chemical Analysers. However, because of the internal politics between the Home Department and the Higher and Technical Education Department, no jobs or placements have been listed.

One of the students said “Why was the course started? If there is no scope then all the forensic colleges should be closed and should not create unemployment by giving fake promises. The government is fooling the students and keeping them in dark by doing fake promises of giving them placements in the government sectors. All these colleges were started so that the student getting graduated from here will help the police in solving the crime as there is lack of manpower.”

The students had approached the Home department in Mantralaya, the department promised jobs in the Maharashtra job portals as soon as possible. Amjad Ansari, an ex-student of IFSC said that when they checked the portal site it showed they do not fit the criteria they are applying, “We had hoped to get openings for our criteria (Forensic Science) but nothing was available. Only a pop-up message said ‘Qualification criteria is not as per given in advertisement’,” said Ansari.

The students graduated from the forensic colleges are very much depressed with their current situation as they cannot even apply for the post of laboratory in forensic science laboratories in Maharashtra which has been published by the Maharashtra Public Services Commission (MPSC). Venkatesh Narayan, ex-student of forensic college said that the government seems to be very reluctant towards this issue. “There have been many incidents regarding inclusion of Forensic Science in recruitment Rule of the various state including Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) but nothing seems to be in favour of students,” added Venkatesh.