B Borooah College and Arya Vidyapeeth College in Guwahati are likely to get exclusive forensic sciences department with an impetus on investigative science in the degree and masters-level science stream courses, as per media reports.
This will be the first instance in Assam. It is being done on the recommendations of the Union ministry of home affairs.
The soon-to-be-introduced department will however be affiliated with Gandhinagar-based National Forensic Sciences University, which is the only university in Asia completely dedicated to forensic sciences.
Both the colleges, which have been considered for setting up the new department, will expose the students to various divisions of forensic sciences that facilitate crime investigation including DNA, toxicology, ballistic, questioned documents and cyber forensics among others.
Theoretical and practical training on forensic sciences
“It would include both theoretical and hands-on training for the students,” an unnamed source in the home department was quoted as saying by The Assam Tribune.
“The students would be trained on the finer nuances of collecting and preserving evidence besides keeping them abreast with the changing dynamics of crime investigation,” the report said.
“Such an out-of-the-box department would be an add-on feature which would boost the career prospects of the students since the demand for forensic science experts is quite high in today’s job market,” another source told the newspaper.
Many, however, believe it will be a daunting task for the college to rope in permanent faculty members.
College authorities, meanwhile, confirmed the developments saying that they have agreed to introduce the department if given the opportunity.
Meanwhile, the Centre has also directed the setting up of a forensic institute in all the states the work of which has already begun in Guwahati.
