Introduction to Forensic Science and Police Administration

By Prof. Devasish Bose | Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (M.P.)

Learners enrolled: 835

Introduction to Forensic Science and Police Science

This two-credit elective course, designed in accordance with the UGC curriculum, introduces students to the fascinating world of forensic science and police science. The main objective of the course is to familiarize participants with the fundamental concepts, principles, and practical aspects of these disciplines, both of which play a vital role in the criminal justice system.

The course is broadly divided into two interconnected parts. The first part focuses on forensic science and its allied services. It explores the meaning and definition of forensic science, the structure and functioning of forensic science laboratories in India, and traces the historical development of the discipline in the country. Students will also study the various branches of forensic science, its scope, need, and objectives. Important scientific principles forming the foundation of forensic science—such as the principle of exchange, the principle of probability, and the principle of individuality—will also be discussed in detail. Furthermore, this section provides an understanding of the setup and functioning of both state and central forensic science laboratories and their roles in criminal investigations.

The second part of the course deals with police science. It explains the organization, structure, and functioning of police systems in India, highlighting their duties, responsibilities, and coordination with forensic experts in the process of crime detection and investigation.

Overall, the course offers a comprehensive overview of how forensic science and police science work together to ensure justice and maintain law and order. It is designed to give participants a clear understanding of the scientific, administrative, and investigative aspects of crime examination and control in India

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	8 weeks
Category :	Multidisciplinary
Credit Points :	2
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	12 Jan 2026
End Date :	30 Apr 2026
Enrollment Ends :	28 Feb 2026
Exam Date :	20 Jun 2026 IST
Translation Languages :	English
NCrF Level	5.5
Shift :	I

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1 : Introduction to Forensic Science, Basic Principles of Forensic Science, Branches of Forensic

Week 2 : Basic Set up of State Forensic Science Laboratory in India,
Forensic Science Expert, Basic Set up of Central
Forensic Science Laboratory in India,

Week 3 : Forensic Science in International Perspective,
Fingerprint Bureaus, Directorate of Forensic Science
Services & Mobile Crime Laboratories,

Week 4 : Government Examiners of Questioned Document (GEQD), Police Academics & Police Dogs,

State Police Organization

Week 5 : Police Organization under Central Government Part I,
Police Organization under Central Government Part II,

Police Organization under Central Government Part III,

Week 6 : Police Organization under Central Government Part IV
Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D),

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)

Week 7 : INTERPOLE, National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Week 8 : Police and Detective Training School, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Books and references

Saferstein, Richard. Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science. 13th ed., Pearson Education, 2020.
→ A foundational text covering the principles, techniques, and applications of forensic science, ideal for understanding Week 1–3 content.
Sharma, B. R. Forensic Science in Criminal Investigation and Trials. 6th ed., Universal Law Publishing, 2017.
→ Focuses on the Indian forensic setup, laws, and expert systems, directly relevant for Week 2–4 modules.
Houck, Max M., and Jay A. Siegel. Fundamentals of Forensic Science. 4th ed., Academic Press, 2022.
→ Offers an international perspective on forensic science, aligning with Week 3 topics like INTERPOL and global standards.
Modi, J. P. Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology. 26th ed., LexisNexis, 2018.
→ Provides legal and procedural insights useful for understanding the application of forensic principles in law enforcement contexts.

Chatterjee, K. K. Forensic Science and Criminology. 2nd ed., Avichal Publishing, 2019.
→ Explains the relationship between forensic science, police investigation, and crime detection; useful for Weeks 4–8.
Becker, Ronald F. Criminal Investigation. 5th ed., Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2018.
→ Covers police organization, investigative processes, and crime scene management relevant to Weeks 5–8.
James, Stuart H., and Jon J. Nordby, editors. Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques. 5th ed., CRC Press, 2022.
→ Integrates various branches of forensic science and investigative techniques in a global context.
Gautam, L. S. Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation in India. Regal Publications, 2020.
→ A specialized text focusing on Indian forensic institutions, including CFSL, SFSL, NCRB, CBI, and GEQD—covering Weeks 2–7 comprehensively.

Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Annual Report 2023–24. www.dfs.gov.in
→ Offers official data and structure of forensic science laboratories and services across India.
Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).
Annual Report 2023–24. www.bprd.nic.in
→ Provides details on central police organizations, training institutions, and R&D initiatives (Weeks 6–8).
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
Crime in India Report 2023. www.ncrb.gov.in
→ The official database for crime statistics and national-level forensic-crime correlation.
INTERPOL. Annual Report 2023. www.interpol.int
→ Discusses international collaboration, structure, and case management relevant to Week 7.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Government of India.
CBI Handbook and Annual Report 2023–24. www.cbi.gov.in
→ Outlines the organizational setup and investigative procedures under the central government.

Singh, Ramesh, and Anjali Bhardwaj. “Evolution of Forensic Science in India: Challenges and Future Prospects.” Indian Journal of Criminology, vol. 48, no. 2, 2022, pp. 55–68.
Pathak, Nivedita. “Role of Forensic Experts in Indian Judicial System.” International Journal of Forensic Science & Pathology, vol. 9, no. 4, 2023, pp. 120–129.
Patel, Vikram. “Modern Trends in Forensic Investigation and International Cooperation.” Journal of Forensic Research, vol. 11, no. 3, 2023, pp. 85–97.

Instructor bio

Prof. Devasish Bose

Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (M.P.)

Professor in Department of Criminology and Forensic Science, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (M.P). He works in the field of liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. His field of interest is adulterantsin food materials, pesticides, monitorized drugs, apart from other interesting fields of forensic science and toxicology. Using liquid chromatographic and capillary electrophoretic techniques he published more than 50 research articles in high impact journals and has produced 5 Ph.D.

Course certificate

Assessment and Certification Details

1. End-Term Examination

Weightage: 70% of the final result
Minimum Passing Criteria: 40%

2. Internal Assessment

Weightage: 30% of the final result
Minimum Passing Criteria: 40%

Calculation of Internal Assessment (IA) Marks:

Out of all graded weekly assessments/assignments, the top 50% of scores will be considered for calculating the final Internal Assessment marks.

Eligibility for SWAYAM Credit Certificate:

Students must secure at least 40% marks in both the Internal Assessment and the End-Term Proctored Examination, separately, to be eligible for the SWAYAM Credit Certificate.