Semester: V

Course: Forensic Science

Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew

Faculty: Ms. H.

Gujarat
National Law
University
Gandhinagar, Gujarat (India)
Course Outline
of
Forensic Science

For

B.Sc., LL.B.(Hons.)
Semester: VI (Batch:2012-2017)
Session: January-May 2015

Faculty:
Ms. Heena Goswami
Assistant Professor of Science & Technology
E-mail: hgoswami@gnlu.ac.in
Mob.: +918128650831
Dr. Thomas Mathew
Registrar In-Charge & Associate Professor of
Page 1 of 13

Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew

Faculty: Ms. H.

Science & Technology

E-mail: tmathew@gnlu.ac.in
Mob.: +918128650887

Sl.
No.

Contents

Page
No.

1.0

Objectives of the course

03

2.0

Proposed teaching schedule

04

3.0

Detailed course-outline

05

4.0

Prescribed/Recommended readings

09

5.0

Teaching methodology

09

6.0

Evaluation pattern

10

7.0

Tentative dates for test/submission of

project/GD, etc

10

8.0

Important instructions to students

10

9.0

Contact hours

11

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Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew

Faculty: Ms. H.

1.0 Objectives of the Course

Forensic Science and Law includes providing of accurate, timely, and thorough
information to all levels of decision makers in our criminal justice system.
Forensic science is a multidisciplinary subject used for probing crime scenes and
gathering evidence to be used in prosecution of offenders in a court of law.
Forensic scientists examine objects, substances (including blood or drug
samples), chemicals (paints, explosives, toxins), tissue traces (hair, skin), or
impressions (fingerprints or tidemarks) left at the crime scene.
Forensics or forensic science is the application of science to questions which are
of interest to the legal system.
Criminalistics is the application of various sciences to answer questions relating
to examination and comparison of biological evidence, trace evidence,
impression evidence, drugs and firearms.
Forensic and applied Sciences today makes an important contribution to the
operation of the Criminal Justice System providing evidence which could detect
and help decide the guilt of a suspect.
Forensic Science is able to do so because it has developed to operate within the
reality determined by the Criminal Justice System.
Make significant and inventive curricula with a emphasis on compelling and
proficient direction.
Advance and spread scientific and investigative scholarly and expert research.
Providing measurable mentorship and master seeing to national and universal
courts.

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Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew

Faculty: Ms. H.

2.0 Proposed Teaching Schedule

Module
No.

No. of
Sessions
(Classes)

Modules

V.6.1

Introduction to Forensic Science and

Forensic Evidences

05

V.6.2

Evidentiary value of Fingerprinting &

Other Impressions

08

V.6.3

Death, Postmortem Changes, Injuries

and Toxicology

10

V.6.4

Explosive substance

04

V.6.5

Questioned Document Examination

07

V.6.6

Forensic Psychology

06

V.6.7

Forensic Ballistics

06

V.6.8

Forensic Biology

05

V.6.9

Motor
Vehicle
investigation
Practicals

Crimes

and

04

06
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Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew

Faculty: Ms. H.

Tot

al = ___61_____

3.0 Detailed Course Outline

Forensic Science
Module- V.6.1
Sessions: 05

Introduction to Forensic Science and Forensic Evidences

o Introduction to Forensic Science; education of Forensic Science, role of
Media; Human Rights & Criminal Justice System.
o Crime- and its types (robbery, suicide, homicide, drowning explosives,
arson).
o Crime scene- and management; Criminal behaviour.
o Modus operandi; Criminal profiling; Corpus delicti.
o Role of Forensic scientists and Medico legal doctors; Expert Testimony.
o Significance of Forensic Science; Central and State forensic laboratories
in India.
o Criminalistics vs. Criminology.

Module- V.6.2
Sessions: 08

Evidentiary value of Fingerprinting & Other Impressions

o Fingerprints: History and development of Fingerprints as science for

Personal Identification; Type of Finger Prints, Classification of Finger
Prints, Latent Finger Print; Causes of Formation of Scene of Crime
Finger Prints; Comparison of Finger Prints; Ridge details; Palm and Sole
prints identification.
Presentation of Expert Evidence: Data, Reports, Evidence in the Court.
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Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Faculty: Ms. H.
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew
Automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS).
o Footprints: Importance, Gait pattern analysis, Evaluation and analysis
of various casts. Electrostatic lifting of latent footprints and comparison
with reference sample. .
o Tool marks: Introduction, nature, location, collection and comparison of
tool marks.
o Mechanical fits: Introduction and types of mechanical fits. Forensic
significance of various impression marks and its accountability in
criminal investigation.
Case

Sapan Haldar & Anr. vs The State on 11 August, 2011, High

Court of Delhi.
Module- V.6.3
Sessions: 10

Death, Postmortem Changes, Injuries and Toxicology

o Definition of death: Death, changes after death, putrefaction and

disposal dead bodies.
o Injuries: Legal aspects of injuries; Mechanical injuries; Thermal
injuries; Injuries due to electricity; Lightening and radiation; Regional
injuries; Medico legal aspects of injuries and asphxial deaths.
o Diagnosis of poisoning in living and dead, PM findings.
o Corrosive agents, Irritants, Animal Poisons, Plant Poisons: Nature,
type, mode of action.
o Identification of: Neurotic poisons, spinal poisons, cerebral poisons,
cardiac poisons, anaesthetic agents, asphxiants, food poisons, drug
dependency abuse and miscellaneous Poisons.
Case

Rajiv Thapar & Ors vs Madan Lal Kapoor, 23 January, 2013,

analysed by Supreme Court of India.

Module- V.6.4
Sessions: 04

Explosive substance

o The classification of explosive substance.

o The composition and characteristics of explosive substance.
o Commonly used explosive devices explosion process and affects, types of
hazard, effect of blast wave on structures, human etc.
o Crime scene management in explosive cases.
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Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Faculty: Ms. H.
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew
o Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and punishments.
Case
Mohd. Hussain @ Julfikar Ali vs The State (Govt. Of Nct) Delhi,
11 January, 2012 High Court of Delhi.
Module- V.6.5
Sessions: 07

Questioned Document Examination

o Document in general: Importance, Classification and Preliminary

Examination.
o Handwriting Characteristics: General Characteristics, Individual
Characteristics and Class characteristics, Development of Individuality
in Handwriting.
o Forgery: Definitions, types and characteristics.
o Brief introduction of Comparison of Handwriting: Natural
Variations, Fundamental Divergences, Standards for Comparison.
o Indented and Invisible Writings.
o Alterations in the document: erasures, additions.
o Overwriting and obliterations.
o Advanced methods of examination of alterations as Projectina/videospectral comparator (VSC) and ESDA, their working principles and uses.
o Photography for Documents: Basic principles and techniques;
Exposing; Developing and Printing.
o Modern
Developments
in
Photography;
Digital
Photography;
Videography/High speed videography; Crime scene and Laboratory
photography.
Case
Dinesh Kumar Sharma vs The State Of Bihar Through C.B, 22
October, 2014, High Court of Patna.
Module- V.6.6
Sessions: 06

Forensic Psychology

o Introduction, difference between psychology and psychiatry, importance

and the role in justice delivery system. Body signs and psychosomatic
subtle changes.
o Classes of forensic psychology: Clinical, Experimental, Statistical,
Psychotherapy, Consultancy.
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Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Faculty: Ms. H.
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew
o Collection of Evidence: Case history studies, Covert and overt
observations, Interviews and interrogations, Experimentation and
Research.
o Types of Questioning: Relevant-Irrelevant Question Technique (RIQ),
Peak of Tension Technique (POT) and Controlled Question Technique.
o Operational environment of Questioning: The Examiner, The Subject,
Interrogation Room and Subject's Rights.
o Psycho-Physiological Detection of Deception (PDD), Psychological Stress
Evaluator (PSE), Hypnosis, Truth Serum and Brain Printing.
Case
Mohinder Singh Pandher vs C.B.I. S.P.E., State Of U.P., 14
December, 2007 (also Nithari serial murders, Nithari Kand).
Module- V.6.7
Sessions: 06

Forensic Ballistics

o Firearms: Early history of firearms, the earliest firearms, the fifteenth

century Match lock; Sixteenth & seventeenth century small arms; The
age of the flint lock; The percussion lock firearms.
o Classification, characteristics and firing mechanism of smooth bored
firearms (M.L., B.L.) Rifled firearms (Pistol, Revolver, Rifles and Machine
Guns).
o Classification, nomenclature and construction of country made firearms.
o Ammunition: Types, Cartridge Components (Cartridge case primer
propellant, Bullets, Pellets and wads).
o Internal Ballistics, External Ballistics and Terminal Ballistics.
o Gun Shot Residues (GSR): Mechanism of formation of GSR, modern
methods of analysis of GSR from the shooting hand & target with special
reference to clothing.
o Firearm injuries: Ballistic aspect of firearm injuries, nature, effect of
target, velocity, constructional features and range on the wounding,
identification of firearm injuries, evaluation of firearm injuries.
o Reconstruction: Accident, suicide, murder and self defence.
Case
Sushil Sharma vs State (Nct) Of Delhi, 8 October, 2013,
analysed by Supreme Court of India.

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Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew
Module- V.6.8
Sessions: 05

Faculty: Ms. H.

Forensic Biology

o Bloodstain pattern analysis: morphology and types of hair and fibrestheir importance. Forensic significance of body fluids and DNA profiling.
o Forensic Anthropology: Nature and formation of bones, study of
Human skeleton; Identification of bones.
o Wildlife Forensic: Identification of wild life materials such as skin, fur
bones, nails, horn and teeth by-conventional and modern methods,
identification of pug marks of various animals.
o Forensic Botany: Identification of Botanical evidence as Pollen grains,
wood, leaves and seeds. Diatoms habitat, diatoms as forensic evidence.
o Forensic Entomology: Insects of forensic importance and time since
death.
Case
The State of Gujarat vs Jayantibhai Somabhai, 30 April, 2015,
High Court of Gujarat at Ahmedabad.
Module- V.6.9
Sessions: 04

Motor Vehicle Crimes and investigation

o Road Accidents: Examination of scene, victim and the vehicle,

collection of the evidence, filaments examination, examination of skid
marks, head light bulb filaments.
o Drunken driving: Consequences of drunken driving, Breath analysis.
o Theft of Vehicle, vehicle involved in terrorism and investigation.
o Analytical technique for the analysis of evidence involved in hit and run
cases, restoration of erased serial numbers and engraved marks.
o Vehicular Accident Reconstruction: Introduction, analytical tools
used, converting scene data into an event sequence, accident analysis;
post-crash movements, collision model and accident reconstruction
calculations, skid marks and evaluation of speed.

Practicals
Sessions: 06

o Evaluation
of
reconstruction.

Crime

scene,

documentation,

recording

and

Page 9 of 13

Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Faculty: Ms. H.
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew
o To identify the correct fingerprint patterns and classify the fingerprints
from Primary classification to key classification.
o Identification of handwriting general characteristics, study of natural
variations in handwriting, study of fundamental divergences and an
identification of individual characteristics.
o Examination of hair of different animals as cat, dog, cow, horse and goat.
o Identification of body fluids.
o Examination of skid marks and tyre marks.

4.0 Prescribed/Recommended Readings

Prescribed Readings
1.

B. R. Sharma, Forensic science in criminal investigation,

(Universal Law publishing co. Pvt. Ltd., Delhi, 2005).

2. B.R. Sharma, Forensic science in criminal investigation and

trials, (Universal Law publishing co. Pvt. Ltd., Delhi, 2003).
3.

Apurba Nandy, Principles of forensic medicine including

toxicology, (New Central Book Agency (P) Ltd., London, 2010).

4.

Nageshkumar G Rao, Textbook of forensic medicine &

toxicology, (Jaypee Brothers Medical publishers (P) Ltd, New
Delhi, 2010).

5. S.H.James and J.J. Nordby, Forensic Science: An introduction to

scientific and investigative techniques, (CRC Press, USA,
2003).
6. R. Saferstein, Criminalistics, (Prentice Hall, New York, 1990).
7. J.S. Kelly and B.S. Lindblom, Scientific Examination of
Questioned Documents, (Taylor & Francis, New York, 2006).
8. S.N. Gaur, Firearms and forensic ballistics, (Delhi law house,
Delhi, 2007).
9. N.E. Genge, Forensic casebook: science of crime scene
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Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew

Faculty: Ms. H.

investigation, (Ebury press , London, 2003).

Recommended Readings

1. David R. Ashbaugh, Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge

Analysis: An Introduction to Basic and Advanced Ridgeology,
(CRC Press, 1999).
2. Asha Srivastava, Encyclopedia of criminology and forensic
science (Vol.1, Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi ,
2008).
3. Ashok Kumar, Encyclopedia of forensic science, (Vol. I,
Discovery publishing house, New Delhi, 2009).
4. Tom Warlow, Firearms, the law, and forensic ballistics, (CRC
Press, Boca Raton , 2004).
5. Bruce A. Arrigo, Introduction
(Academic Press, London, 2000).

to

Forensic

Psychology,

6. William J. Bodziak, Footwear Impression Evidence, (Elsevier

Science Publishing Co., New York, 1989).
7. Richard Li, Forensic Biology, (CRC Press, Taylor and Francis
Group, New York, 2008).
8. Alan Gunn, Essential Forensic Biology, (2nd Edition, John
Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2009).
9. William Goodwin, Adrian
Linacre and Sibte Hadi, An
Introduction To Forensic Genetics, (John Wiley & Sons
Ltd.,England, 2007).
10.

J. Levinson, Questioned Documents, (Academic Press,

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Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew

Faculty: Ms. H.

Tokyo, 2000).

5.0 Teaching Methodology

Using power point presentation.

Forensic Experts advisories and Opinions.
Presentation and Group discussion by students.
Imitation of Crime Scene- Investigation and reconstruction.

6.0 Evaluation Pattern

Evaluation:

Marks

Continuous Evaluation (Mid-term exam + Project/test+ Field visit)

20 +15+5=40
End-Semester Examination (Theory + Practicals)
40 +20=60

Total
100

7.0 Tentative Dates for Continuous Evaluation Tests/

Submission of Project/ GD, etc
Mid-term exam- 18 to 25 August, 2015.
Continuous evaluation 21 September, 2015.
Field Visit to Forensic Science Laboratory- 3rd Week of August,
2015.

8.0 Important Instructions to Students

The given course-outline is tentative. The faculty-member may

modify it while preparing the reference material and engaging
the classes.
The teaching methodology of the subject will not necessarily be
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Semester: V
Course: Forensic Science
Faculty: Ms. H.
Goswami & Dr. T. Mathew
bound by the parameters shown here.
Both faculty-member and students may mould it according to
needs as and when they arise for better and progressive
understanding of the subject in a flexible way.
Recommended readings shall be referred to enhance the
knowledge of the subject thoroughly.

9.0 Contact Hours

Days: Monday and Tuesday
Timings: 03:00 to 04:00 pm

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