Hello, and welcome to the Forensics Digest Q & A Session. Continuing after a brief sabbatical, we will feature experts and students of forensic science on a host of topics ranging from technical aspects to career soft skills.
Today I have with me, Mr. Anurag A Sahu, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Science at the Government Institute of Forensic Science, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. Mr. Sahu brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our session, with a distinguished academic background and professional expertise in the field of forensic science.
An alumnus of the esteemed National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (NICFS), Mr. Sahu’s journey in forensic science began with a solid foundation in academic excellence.
As an Assistant Professor, Mr. Sahu plays a crucial role in shaping the next generation of forensic science professionals. His commitment to education and mentorship underscores his passion for sharing knowledge and fostering growth within the forensic science community.
Throughout his career, Mr. Sahu has been actively engaged in both academic and research pursuits, contributing valuable insights to the field of forensic science. His expertise spans a wide range of topics, from technical aspects such as questioned documents and forensic chemistry to career soft skills essential for success in the field.
Today, we have the opportunity to learn from Mr. Sahu’s wealth of knowledge and experience as he shares his insights on various aspects of forensic science. So without further ado, let’s dive into our Q & A session and gain valuable insights from Mr. Anurag A Sahu, a distinguished expert in the field of forensic science.
Ms. Arpita : What inspired you to pursue a career in forensic science, and how did your journey lead you to become an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Forensic Science?
Mr. Anurag: A sudden interest in a crime story published in a local newspaper caught my fantasy one day and I was so intrigued by the scientific application to the investigation procedure that I made it my aim to pursue Forensic Science as my career. As if that day was a glimpse of my destiny, I was blessed with the opportunity to study master’s in forensic from one of the best institutes in the country catering to Forensic Science Education- The National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (currently, the NFSU Delhi Campus). After completing my formal education, I joined the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Karnal, Haryana, as a crime scene investigator, gaining rich experience and taking a step closer to the dream that I had envisioned. I later got the opportunity of sharing the extensive knowledge and experience that I had gained during my education and field experience with the upcoming generation of Forensic Scientists as a mentor when I joined the Govt. Institute of forensic science, Aurangabad as Assistant Professor.
Ms. Arpita : Can you share your expertise in a specific area of forensic science that you find particularly fascinating or challenging?
Mr. Anurag: Over the past decade as a professional and academician in the Field of Forensic Science, I have gained extensive knowledge, experience and expertise in the fields of Questioned Document Examination, Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology.
Ms. Arpita : In what ways do you believe forensic science education has evolved over the years, and how do you contribute to staying updated with the latest advancements in the field?
Mr. Anurag: The evolution of internet and social media platforms, that make the far and distant developments and technological advancements accessible, the education nowadays has become easily available and vast in nature. Although, it is good in a few ways, the lack of screening of the information and its authenticity also makes a lot of false information available for the young minds of the youth. This creates a great challenge to the educators and the educational institutions and also puts a great responsibility on them to impart the correct and authentic knowledge to the young generation. Also, with the advanced technology, the nature of crime has also become vast and dynamic, resulting in the development of new fields of education like Cyber Forensics etc.
I believe, the best way to stay updated and properly informed regarding the latest advancements in any field of education and research is through the genuine and authentic research papers that are being published regularly in various national as well as international journals.
Ms. Arpita: As an educator, what strategies do you employ to make complex forensic science concepts more accessible and engaging for students?
Mr. Anurag: As an educator, I try to engage these young inquisitive minds with a lot of practical and brainstorming sessions, so that rather than just memorising the theoretical aspects, they get to question the whys and the hows of any problem/ concept/rule/law/principles etc. As a result, the whole process of learning gets a lot more fun and such that it remains fresh in their minds for a long time even after they are gone from the classrooms.
Ms. Arpita: Are there any ongoing research projects or collaborations at the Institute of Forensic Science that you find noteworthy and believe have the potential to impact the field?
Mr. Anurag: Our organization has signed many memorandums of understanding (MOU) with different organizations that are working in the field of Cyber Forensic, Forensic Science, Questioned Documents etc, who have made significant name and impact in the Forensic Science Community in the last few years.
Ms. Arpita: How crucial do you think interdisciplinary collaboration is in the field of Forensic Science, and do you actively encourage it among your students?
Mr. Anurag: Forensic Science being an applied science, almost already is an interdisciplinary field. However, in the last few years, fields like Forensic Nursing, Forensic Engineering, Forensic Accounting, Geospatial Forensic etc, have gained a lot of popularity as well as importance due to the changing dynamics of the modes and manner of crime and subsequently the crime scene. This has made the interdisciplinary approach in the Forensic domain an indispensable and we at GIFS, Aurangabad strongly encourage and support our students to actively participate and look for opportunities and avenues in interdisciplinary activities and education.
Ms. Arpita: Can you shed light on the practical aspects of the curriculum at the Institute of Forensic Science, particularly any hands-on experiences or internships that students undergo?
Mr. Anurag: In order to make our students more aware about the functioning of different forensic related organizations, we ensure that there are regular practical and hands on sessions and visits to the different Forensic Science Laboratories, police training institutes and other associated institutions on regular basis. It is mandatory and a very important aspect of the curriculum of GIFS, Aurangabad.
Ms. Arpita: Can you guide our readers through the admission process at GIFSA ? Eligibility, fees
Mr. Anurag: Anybody interested in joining the GIFS, Aurangabad can get the detailed information at the official website www.gifsa.ac.in. The fee is 2500/- for B.Sc. Forensic Science courses. For admission in the master’s degree, the selection is done as per the merit list prepared on the basis of the marks secured by the student in his/her bachelor’s degree.
Ms. Arpita: Please tell us about placement opportunities at GIFSA?
Mr. Anurag: GIFS, Aurangabad has a well-established placement cell, and the members are very actively and diligently involved in all the placement related activities. We have laced many students in different organizations working in the fields of Cyber Forensics, Crime Scene investigation, Forensic Science Laboratories, policing etc.
Ms. Arpita: What advice would you give to students aspiring to pursue a career in Forensic Science, and what skills do you believe are essential for success in this field?
Mr. Anurag: Forensic makes you Jack of all and master of none. For pursuing you need to have and open mind, a keen observation, patience, and a will power to do hard work and think out of the box. For me, Forensic Science has always been the science of Common Sense.
Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Mr. Anurag. It has been a pleasure engaging in this enlightening discussion. I am confident that our readers will find this conversation both engaging and inspiring. Your journey serves as a testament to the rewards of dedication and perseverance, motivating others to pursue their goals with passion and determination, while also embracing the joy that comes from the pursuit of knowledge and excellence.
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