Hello, and welcome to the Forensics Digest Q & A Session. Monthly, we will interview students and experts of forensic science on a host of topics ranging from technical aspects to career soft skills.
Today I have with me, Ms. Meghana, who is an alumna of University of Delhi. Meghana has cleared her NET Exam in 2019 in her first attempt while pursuing Masters degree. She has done her specialisation in Forensic Anthropology.
Arpita : Hello Meghana. Thank you for joining us. Let me begin by asking you about yourself and how, when, and what got you interested in Forensic Science?
Meghana: Firstly I would like to start by thanking you for the opportunity to share my views. This is Meghana, from Hyderabad. I am a small town girl from the Telangana state and did most of my schooling within the state itself.
Coming to the point of interest, many things fascinated me, in fact everything in the universe. As a child I saw everything from the aspect of science which made me curious about it. While my elder sister studied forensic medicine, she happened to discuss with me aspects of death and post-mortem changes. I jumped immediately in search of universities offering forensic degrees. I ended up joining Galgotias University for bachelors in forensic science with a minor project on fingerprints and continued pursuing masters at University of Delhi with dissertation in Personal identification. Choosing forensics was an alternative but definitely not a regret.
Arpita: That’s wonderful! This feeds into my next question which is, How did you prepare for DUET Exam?
Meghana: University of Delhi , is an age old university where legends came out with flying colours. I always had a holy respect towards the university and that helped me shaping the courage to enter into it. To be frank, I did not prepare separately for the entrance exam because I was well equipped with the weapons to fight the war. My faculty at graduate studies were very helpful in getting the topics on my mind that I could never forget any concept. But yes! I brush them up before attempting any exam. I simulate the exam area and attempt previous year question papers.
My advice is “ The future depends on what you do today” learn everything whole-heartedly and be clear in thoughts of what one want to be. This attitude would definitely help retain everything that is learnt.
Arpita: That must have been thrilling, Meghana! But yes, I would agree that given the high competition it is better if aspirants start there preparation early. And be consistent. Please tell our readers what made you enter the field of Forensic Anthropology and specifically in Personal Identification.
Meghana: Personal identification and individualization is what I understood the ultimate problem being solved by forensics. So I aimed to contribute to it in my own way. While referring to my subject, I used to spot lot of research problems which are left unsolved or kept void. This made up my mind in thinking to fill in those voids. I am planning my research in foreign to work more on personal identification techniques in near future.
Arpita: You cleared UGC-NET/JRF during your Masters! How did you do that?
Meghana: Clearing UGC-NET was never my aim to crack but I believe in fate. The preparation I made for M.SC entrance was the same to clear the NET as well. I was pushed by my friends to give an attempt thus clearing the exam. Most of my preparation was from online material available and for paper 2 like previously told I kept brushing up the material given to me in my graduation. I keep reading articles and journals related to forensic science and keep update on latest happenings which I advise anyone who find their career in forensics.
Arpita: Tell us about your future aspirations?
Meghana: As I already expressed my interest in personal identification, I am working in that direction to step closer in achieving my goals. I am preparing for higher studies in foreign universities where I believe a lot of practical experience and exposure is given.
Arpita: One last question Meghana, Do you have any advice to students who want to pursue Forensic Science as Career?
Meghana: One advice I would like to give is take recommendations from people whom you trust they are capable of commenting on. Because many people come in the way and distract you from the line you are in. “Believe in yourself and keep working on” is the mantra I was told and would like to put the same forward to my younger generations which will definitely keep you up.
Forensics Digest wishes you good luck as you move towards the next inning and may you get what you want and may you be at the right place.
Leave a Reply