UGC-NET Forensic Science

Forensic science definition and history; physical evidence and chain of custody; crime scene; criminal investigations (deaths, assaults, sexual offences, poisoning, vehicular accidents); courts and expert testimony; FSLs, NCRB and NICFS; fundamental rights (Articles 14–22); criminal profiling and the three lie-detection tools; quality control in forensic institutions.

Microscopy (polarizing, comparison, stereoscopic, fluorescent, electron); spectrophotometry (UV, visible, IR, Raman, AAS, AES); neutron activation analysis; X-ray techniques (XRD, XRF); mass spectroscopy; chromatography (TLC, GLC, HPLC, HPTLC); hyphenated techniques (GC-MS, LC-MS, IR-MS, ICP-MS); electrophoresis (high and low voltage, immunoelectrophoresis); immunoassays.

Detection and identification of blood stains; determination of species of origin; blood group systems (ABO, Rh, MNS); blood-grouping techniques from stains (Lattes, absorption-elution, absorption-inhibition, mixed agglutination); seminal and other body fluids plus RBC enzymes and serum proteins of forensic significance; disputed paternity and maternity; DNA structure, genetic markers, extraction and STR profiling; DNA phenotyping and RNA profiling; wildlife forensics under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

Analysis of ethyl alcohol in beverages, biological fluids and breath; methanol, denaturants and illicit liquors; chemicals in trap cases; metabolism and chemical examination of insecticides and pesticides, tranquillizers and sedatives, hypnotics, stimulants, narcotics, opiates and drugs of abuse with their toxicity; plant poisons; metallic poisons; extraction, isolation and clean-up procedures and identification of common poisons from viscera, tissues and body fluids.

Firearms types, classification, ammunition and compositions; forensic examination of firearms, bullets, shells and cartridges; gunshot residue analysis; velocity, penetration, dispersion, ricochet, accidental discharge and range determination; examination of country-made firearms; internal, external and terminal ballistics; tool marks; restoration of erased markings on metal surfaces.

Analyses of petroleum products and other incendiary materials; fire and arson investigation, cause-origin determination, burn patterns; explosives definition, types and analyses; post-blast residue analysis; country-made bombs and IEDs and their examination; investigation in explosion and arson cases; forensic photography types and applications in criminal investigation and evidence examination.

Hair and fibers (nature, types, structure, examination); pollens and diatoms in forensic investigation; dust and soil examination; paint, lacquer and varnishes; glass composition, fractures and examination; cement, mortar and concrete; computer forensics with digital-evidence seizure and acquisition; mobile phone forensics.

Fingerprints (history, characteristics, types, classification, preservation, development, lifting, comparison, chance prints, computerisation, AFIS); track marks (foot prints, shoe prints, tire marks, preservation, casting, comparison, skid marks, gait); biometric systems of identification and their relevance; voice analysis (vocal apparatus, voice spectrography, speaker identification, legal aspects and limitations).

Documents (definition, types, preliminary examination); reproduction of documents through photographic and mechanical means; alterations (erasures, obliterations, additions); indentations, secret writings and charred documents; inks, papers and age of documents; examination of typescripts, printed matter, currency notes, lottery tickets and mechanical impressions; handwritings (class and individual characteristics, factors, standard samples, comparison); anonymous and disguised writings; identification of signatures, detection of forgeries; examination of credit cards and similar materials.

Modes and manner of death, sexual offences and amendments under BNS 2023 / POCSO; post-mortem examination, post-mortem changes, estimation of time since death; injuries and wounds (types, medicolegal importance, gunshot wounds); determination of species of origin, sex, age, stature and individual identification through skeletal remains; identification through skull superimposition and facial reconstruction; human dentition, type of teeth, age estimation and bite marks; forensic entomology (insects of forensic importance, carrion succession, applications).