Forensic Science Unit I Overview

Unit I - Forensic Science

• Forensic Science: Definition, History, Development, Scope, Ethics
• Physical Evidence: Nature, Types, Search methods, Collection, Preservation, Packing and forwarding of physical and trace evidence for forensic analysis, Chain of Custody
• Crime Scene: Nature, Types, Preservation
• Criminal Investigations: Unnatural deaths, Criminal assaults, Sexual offences, Poisoning, Vehicular accidents
• Courts: Types, powers, jurisdiction, Admissibility of evidence, Definition of experts, Provisions in Cr.P.C. 1973, Indian Evidence Act, Expert testimony, Court Procedures
• Organization of Forensic Science Laboratories: Centre and State, NCRB and NICFS
• Fundamental Rights: Right of Equality (Articles 14-18), Right of Freedom (Articles 19-22), role in crime investigation
• Criminal Profiling: Profile of victim and culprit, Lie detection (Polygraphy), Narco analysis, Brain mapping, scope and limitations
• Quality Control Management in Forensic Institutions

Unit II - Microscopy and Spectrophotometry

• Microscopy: Polarizing, comparison, stereoscopic, fluorescent, and electron microscopes
• Spectrophotometry: UV, Visible, IR, Raman, Atomic absorption, Emission
• Neutron Activation Analysis
• X-rays and x-ray based techniques (XRD, XRF)
• Mass Spectroscopy
• Chromatographic Techniques: TLC, GLC, HPLC, HPTLC
• Hyphenated Techniques: GC-MS, LC-MS, IR-MS, ICP-MS
• Electrophoresis: High and low voltage, immunoelectrophoresis
• Immunoassays: Principle, Types, Techniques, applications

Unit III - Detection and Identification of Blood Stains

• Detection and Identification of Blood Stains
• Determination of Species of Origin
• Blood Group Systems
• Techniques for Determining Blood groups of blood stains
• Detection of Seminal and other body fluids and their blood grouping
• Red cells, Enzymes, Serum Proteins, Forensic significance
• Disputed Paternity & Maternity
• DNA: Structure, DNA as genetic marker, DNA extraction, Profiling Techniques
• DNA Phenotyping and RNA profiling
• Wild life Forensics (Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972), Scope, Evidences and Identification

Unit IV - Analysis of Substances

• Analysis of Ethyl alcohol in beverages, liquors, biological fluids and breath
• Analysis of Methanol and Denaturants
• Illicit Liquors
• Analysis of Chemicals in Trap cases
• Metabolism and Chemical Examination of Insecticides, Pesticides, Tranquilizers, Sedatives, Hypnotics, Stimulants, Narcotics, Opiates, Drugs of Abuse, Analyses of above and their toxicity
• Plant Poisons
• Metallic Poisons
• Extraction, Isolation, and Clean-up procedures for common poisons from viscera, tissues and body fluids

Unit V - Fire Arms and Ballistics

• Fire arms: Types, Classification, Ammunition and their Compositions
• Forensic examination of Firearms, Ammunition, Firearms' projectiles (Bullets, Shots, Slug etc.), Shell case
• Gunshot residues analysis
• Concept of Velocity, Penetration, Dispersion, Ricochet, Accidental Discharge
• Examination of Country made firearms
• Basics of Internal, External, and Terminal Ballistics
• Tool marks: Meaning, Types and Examination
• Restoration of Erased Markings on Metal Surfaces

Unit VI - Petroleum Products and Explosives

• Fire and Arson: Analyses of Petroleum Products and other incendiary materials
• Explosives: Definition, Types and Analyses

Unit VII - Hair, Fibers, Dust, Soil, Paint etc

• Hair & Fibers: Nature, Types, Structure and Examination
• Pollens and Diatoms: Their application in Forensic investigation
• Dust & Soil: Nature, Types, Forensic Examination
• Paint, Lacquer & Varnishes: Nature, composition, and forensic examination
• Glass: Composition, Types, Fractures, Examinations
• Cement, Mortar and Concrete: Composition, Forensic analysis
• Computer Forensics: Introduction, Types of Computer crimes, Digital evidence seizure, Acquisition and Forensic examination
• Mobile Phone Forensics

Unit VIII - Fingerprints and Biometrics

• Fingerprints: History, Characteristics, Types, Classification, Preservation, Development, Lifting and Comparison, Examination
• Chance Prints, Computerization of Fingerprints, AFIS
• Track Marks: Foot Prints, Shoe Prints, Tire Marks, Preservation and Casting, Comparison, Skid marks, Gait pattern
• Biometric Systems of Identification and its significance
• Voice Analysis: Introduction, Significance, Structure of Human Voice apparatus, Voice spectrography, Voice analysis, Legal aspects and limitations

Unit IX - Documents

• Documents: Definition, Types, Preliminary examination of documents
• Reproduction of documents through photographic and mechanical means and their examination
• Examination of Alterations (Erasures, Obliterations, Additions)
• Indentations, Secret writings, Charred documents
• Inks, Papers and their scientific examinations
• Age of documents
• Examination of Typescripts, Printed matter (currency notes, lottery tickets)
• Hand writings: Class and Individual characteristics, Factors affecting handwritings, Standard samples for comparison, Comparison of hand-written texts
• Anonymous and disguised writings, Identification of hand writings, signatures, detection of forged signatures
• Examination of Credit Cards and Similar materials

Unit X - Deaths, Injuries and Forensic Applications

• Modes & Manner of deaths, Sexual offences and their medicolegal importance, Amendments in law
• Post-mortem examination and Post-mortem changes
• Estimation of time since death
• Injuries & Wounds: Types, Medicolegal importance, Gunshot wounds
• Determination of Species of Origin, Sex, Age, Stature, Individual identification
• Identification through Skull superimposition and facial reconstruction
• Human dentition, Type of teeth, determination of Age, Bite marks
• Forensic Entomology: Introduction, Insects, Insects on Carrion, Forensic applications
• Bombs: Country made bombs, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Explosion investigation, Forensic photography

Dive into the foundational concepts of Forensic Science with this quiz, covering its definition, history, and ethical considerations. Explore key procedures related to physical evidence, crime scenes, and criminal investigations, as well as the roles of courts and forensic laboratories. This comprehensive overview is essential for understanding the critical aspects of forensic analysis and investigations.