Editor,
We write in response to the letter published on September 26, 2024, in Highland Post, authored by a postgraduate student from the 2016 batch of Forensic Science, addressing the eligibility criteria for recruitment into the Mobile Forensic Crime Scene Unit of the Directorate of Forensic Science. While we appreciate the concerns raised, we feel it is important to clarify the position of general science postgraduates and highlight why their inclusion in the recruitment process is both necessary and justified.
First and foremost, it must be noted that the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has not sidelined the inclusion of Forensic Science degree holders in the recruitment process. The suggestion that a Forensic Science degree holder is being victimised in this situation is misleading. However, forensic work is inherently interdisciplinary, and crime scene investigations demand a broad scientific knowledge that is not limited to Forensic Science degree holders. Disciplines such as Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Botany, and Zoology have long played integral roles in forensic investigations and crime scene analysis.
Since the inception of the Directorate of Forensic Science in Meghalaya, we are sure that the majority of its posts have been filled by graduates and postgraduates from general science disciplines, as Forensic Science degrees were not yet available in the State. For over three decades, crime scene investigations have been successfully conducted by professionals with general science backgrounds. The absence of complaints regarding their competence or the quality of their work is a testament to their capability. This long-standing success clearly demonstrates that general science postgraduates are well-equipped to handle the responsibilities of crime scene investigation.
Contrary to the claim made in the earlier letter, Forensic Science is not the sole pathway into crime scene investigation. In fact, many State and Central Forensic Science Laboratories across India recognise the value of broad scientific expertise and allow postgraduates in general science disciplines to apply for crime scene positions. It is, therefore, puzzling that the current recruitment criteria in Meghalaya exclude general science graduates, a practice inconsistent with other states.
Moreover, the suggestion that only Forensic Science graduates are qualified to manage crime scene investigations overlooks the collaborative nature of forensic work, which often requires expertise from multiple scientific fields. Forensic Science is offered as an optional subject at the postgraduate level, any general science graduates are fully eligible to pursue their M.Sc. in Forensic Science. This flexibility further underscores the importance of an inclusive recruitment process that allows general science postgraduates to compete alongside Forensic Science graduates for these positions.
The notion that only Forensic Science graduates possess the necessary skills for these roles creates an unnecessary barrier for general science postgraduates. If a Forensic Science degree holder truly possesses superior knowledge, they should have no reservations about competing with general science postgraduates in an open recruitment process. Open competition ensures that the most qualified candidates regardless of their academic backgrounds are selected for these crucial roles.
We respectfully urge the Directorate of Forensic Science and the relevant authorities to investigate why candidates with general science backgrounds are being excluded from applying for positions in the Crime Scene Unit, contrary to practices in other State and Central Forensic Science Laboratories. Why are specialised general science degree holders such as Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, mathematics, and other relevant disciplines excluded from the eligibility criteria when these fields are vital to other forensic laboratories? The department’s preference for Forensic Science degree holders raises concerns of bias or favouritism in the selection process.
In light of these concerns, we request that the eligibility criteria for the Mobile Forensic Crime Scene Unit must include postgraduates in general science disciplines to apply. Aligning with national standards would ensure that the recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit, upholding the principles of equity in the State.
Concerned Postgraduate General Science Students
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