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Syllabus for P.G Diploma in Forensic Science and Related Law

Postgraduate School of Legal Studies University of the Punjab,
Lahore

Paper Title

Overview of Laws of Pakistan & Basics of Forensic Science

1
Crime Scene Management
2
Digital Forensics & Criminalistics
3 Forensic Biology & Forensic Chemistry
4 Forensic Medical Science

Grading Criteria:

Marks Obtained Grade Awarded

90% and Above A+

Above & Equal 80% but Below 90% A

Above & Equal 70% but Below 80% B

Above & Equal 60% but Below 70% C

Above & Equal 50% but Below 60% D

Any student, appearingin exam, getting marks below than 50% will be awarded with the
Certificate of Attendance only.

Paper-1: Overview of Laws of Pakistan & Basics of Forensic Science

Unit I: Criminal Justice System / Legal System of Pakistan (an overview)

 Source & structure of laws in Pakistan

 Qanoon-E-Shahadat Ordinance 1984
 Overview of Police Rules
 Court Structure, Personnel Involved and Jurisdiction

Unit II: Prosecution of Crime in Pakistan

 How crime is investigated and prosecuted in Pakistan

 Prosecution Service; relationship with the Police
 Preparation of Case for Prosecution
 Conduct of Trial – Stages of Trial (Role of Prosecution and Defence Council)

Unit III: Expert Witness & Presentation of Scientific Evidence

 Expert Testimony
 Role of Forensic Scientist

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 Role of Medico Legal Examiners

 Roles & Responsibilities of Expert Witness
 Testimony Guidelines & Procedures
o Qualification
o Credibility
o Independent & Unbiased
o Expertise
o Procedure of Analysis
o Court Presentation

Unit IV: Crime & Criminal Behavior

 Definition of Crime & Modern Aspects

 Types of Crimes
 Criminal Behavior Cause & Theories
 Criminal Behavior & Psychological Disorders
o Classification of Mental Disorders relevant to Criminal Legal System
o Personality Disorders
o Psychopaths
 Corpus Delicti (prove the occurrence of a crime)

Unit V: Forensic Science History

 Definition of Forensic Science

 History of Forensic Science
 Intro to Forensic Science Disciplines & Structure
 Evaluation of Forensic Science in Pakistan
 Frye Standard
(Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 --- D.C. Cir. 1923)
 Daubert Hearing: Setting the standards of Forensic Science
(Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharms., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 584-587)

Unit VI: Physical Evidence & Crime Scene Management

 Evidence & Evidence Types

 Physical Evidence & Types
 Physical Evidence: Historic & Islamic Background
 Role of Physical Evidence in Investigation
 Types of Crime & Scenes & the Related Physical Evidence
 Health & safety Protocols
 Defining a Scene of Crime
 Roles & Responsibilities of First Responders
 Role & Responsibilities of Emergency Services at the Crime Scene
 Crime Scene: Initial Walk Through
 Crime Scene Wide Detail Photography

Unit VII: Crime Scene Management-II

 Crime Scene search Patterns

 Evidence Identification
 Evidence Development where needed
 Evidence Marking

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 Evidence Photography
 Evidence Lifting& Collection

Unit VIII: Evidence Submission Requirements

 Police Request & Letter Anatomy

 Identification of Analysis to be Requested
 General Requirements of Case Submissions
 Firearms: Case Submission Requirements
 Fingerprint: Case Submission Requirements
 Questioned Documents: Case Submission Requirements
 DAN: Case Submission Requirements
 Narcotics: Case Submission Requirements
 Pathology & Toxicology Samples: Case Submission Requirements
 Computer Forensics: Case Submission Requirements
 Trace Evidence: Case Submission Requirements

Paper 2: Criminalistics and Digital Forensics

Unit I: Firearms & Toolmarks Examination

 Firearms Law in Pakistan

 Firearm’s Evidence
 Mechanical Fingerprinting
 Functionality Testing
 Ammunition Testing
 Firearms Identification
 Toolmarks Identification
 Bullet Holes & Trajectory Analysis
 Wound Ballistics
 Gunshot Residue Analysis & Distance Determination
 Shotgun Shot Pattern Analysis
 Intelligence Ballistics
 Case Studies

Unit II: Latent Fingerprint / Patent Fingerprint Examination

 Fingerprint Science Development& History

 Scope of Fingerprint Examination
 Fingerprint Development
 Fingerprint Comparison & Basics
 Forgery of Fingerprints
 Intelligent Fingerprinting: Database Development
 Case Studies

Unit III: Questioned Document (QD) Fingerprint Examination

 QD Science Development & History

 Scope of Services
 Handwriting & Signature Analysis
 Types of Document Forgery

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 Charred Documents
 Anonymous Letters / Threat Letters
 Indent Writing & Examination
 Counterfeit Currency
 Small Coins (Offence) Act 1971
 Standard of Weight & Measures Act 1976
 Case Studies

Unit IV: Polygraph Examination

 Definitions & Basics

 Interviewing Techniques
 Polygraph as Investigation Tool
 Examination Basics
 Reliability
 Case Studies

Unit V: Forensic Photography & Audio Visual Analysis

 Crime Scene Photography (recap)

 Evidence Photography
 Images Archiving
 Scene Images Evidentiary Value
 Forensic Lab Photography & Requirements
 Image Enhancement
 Audio Analysis
 CCTV Video Analysis
 Video Editing Analysis
 Visual Enhancement of Blur Videos

Unit VI: Computer Forensics

 Definitions & Basics

 Cyber Crimes in Pakistan
o Financial Crimes
o Cyber Pornography
o Intellectual Property Crimes & Trademark
o Email Spoofing
o Unauthorized Access to Network; Hacking
o Electronic Information Theft
o Virus Spread
o Software Piracy
 IT Act 2000
 Cybercrime Act 2016
 Data Recovery & Cell Phones Analysis
 IP Address Look-up
 Digital Evidence Recovery
 Computer Forensic Analysis
 Case Studie

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Paper 3: Forensic Biology & Chemistry

NOTE: In each unit, related law will be discussed accordingly.

Unit I: Trace Chemistry

 Definitions & Scope

 Paint Examination
 Fiber Analysis
 Hair Analysis
 Glass Analysis
 Soil Analysis
 Physical Examination
 Chemical Examination (Unknown Materials)
 Primer GSR Analysis
 Explosive
o Definitions & Basis
o Chemistry of Explosives
o IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices)
o Explosive Material Disposal & Handling
 Trace Metal Detection
 Fire Accelerant Examination
 Bite Marks
 Shoe Marks
 Tire Treads
 Liquor Analysis

Unit II: Fire Safety & Arson Investigations

 Fire Safety
 Fire Dynamics
 Detection of Ignitable Materials
 Fire Debris Analysis (Analytical methods for detection & characterization)

Unit III: Controlled Substances / Narcotics

 Definitions & Basics

 Drugs of Abuse
 Major Classifications of Drugs of Abuse & Narcotics
 Drug Trafficking; Global Aspects & Figures
 General Structure of Drug Laws
 Controlled Substances Act (CSA) 1970
 Field Drug Testing
 Drug Testing in Labs
 Qualitative vs Quantitative Analysis

Unit IV: DNA & Serology

 Body Fluids Screenings

 Serology Examinations
 DNA Structure & Genetics
 DNA as Evidence
 DNA Fingerprinting

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 Sexual Offences (Rape, sodomy, child abuse etc.)

 Characteristics of Sexual Assault
 Clinical Examination Procedure of Sexual Assault Victims; Consent Issues
 Accused Sample Collection
 Infanticide, Abortion & Artificial Insemination
 Case Studies

Paper 4: Forensics Medical Science

Unit I: Medical Jurisprudence

 Brief History
 Current Scenario at National & International Level
 Importance and Explanation of
o Cause of Death
o Manner of Death
o Mechanism of Death
 Biological Samples Submission
 Handling of Biohazard Material; safety Precautions

Unit II: Medico Legal Aspects of Death

 Concepts of Human Anatomy & Physiology

o Medical Terminology / Medico Legal Reports
o Nature of Cells, Tissues & Organs
o Body Structure – Skeleton, Tissue Layers & Body Cavities
o Body Functions – Components Parts & Functions
o Details of Functional Structures – Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Haemopoetic,
Nervous & Gestro (Intestinal System)
 Medical Aspect of Death
o Cellular Death
o Somatic Death
o Brain Death
o Transplantation Procedures
 Natural Disease as Cause of Deaths
o Heart Disease
o Cardiomyopathy & Inherited Cardiac Conditions
o Hypertension / Aneurysms
o Pulmonary Thromboembolism & Deep Venous Thrombosis
o Pneumonia, Asthma, Asbestos related Disease
o Cerebrovascular Disease, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Meningitis
o Gastro – Intestinal Hemorrhage, Peritonitis, Pancreatitis
o Septicemia, MRSA, C1 Difficile

Unit III: Physical Changes after Death

 General Principles
 Temperature Drop
 Lividity
 Rigor Mortis
 Decomposition & Variants

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Unit IV: Legal Procedures Related to Deaths & their Investigation

 Legal Aspects of Death

o Legal Responsibilities of Medical Practitioner
o Death Certificate & Procedure
o Cremation Certificate & Procedure
o Referring Deaths to Concerned
o Weakness in the System & Proposed Reforms
 Accidental / Sudden Deaths
o Legal Framework
o Legal Responsibility in the Investigation of Death
o Deaths Reportable to Police; Process of Investigation
o Postmortem Examination, Additional Investigation & Inquiries
o Accident Inquiries; Criminal Proceedings
o Inquests; Referral for Criminal Proceeding
 Asphyxial Deaths
 Drowning
 Hypothermia
 Fries, Burns & Carbon Mono-oxide Poisoning
 Explosions
 Child Deaths & Abuse
 Toxicology Analysis

Unit V: Interpretation of Injury

 Occurrence of Injuries in Clinical & Postmortem Practice; Limits of Interpretation

 Concept of Blunt & Sharp Force Trauma
 Abrasions, Bruises, Lacerations
 Incised Wounds, Stab Wounds
 Internal Damage / Issues of Survivability
 Injury Patterns – Patterns, Suicide or Homicid
 Major Trauma
o Transportation Accidents and Injury Patterns
o Accidents at Work
o Resuscitation Techniques, Transfusion, Ventilation
 Firearms Injuries
o Principles how firearms produce injuries
o Postmortem in Firearms Cases; Injury Interpretation
o Role of Radiology; Recovery of Evidence
 Head Injuries
o Circumstances of Head Injuries (Accident / Falls / Assault)
o Clinical Presentations & Outcome (Concussion / Coma / Long Term Dissabilities)
o External Injuries & Interpretation
o Skull Fractures (Linear / Comminuted / Depressed)
o Interactional Bleeding (Extradural / Subdural / Subarachnoid and Intra Cerebral
Hemorrhage)
o Brain Injury (Focal / Diffuse)

RECOMMENDED BOOKS / REFERENCES

1. Introduction to Forensic Sciences (WILLIAM G. ECKERT)

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2. Handbook of Forensic Services (Kim Waggoner)

3. Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences – 3 Volumes (Edited By Jay Siegel, Geoffrey Knupfer,
Pekka Saukko)
4. CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY and FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY: A Collaborative Approach to
EffectiveProfiling (Edited by Grover Maurice Godwin, Ph.D.)
5. Forensic Criminology (Wayne A. Petherick, Brent E. Turvey & Claire E. Ferguson)
6. FORENSIC EVIDENCE: SCIENCE AND THECRIMINAL LAW (Terrence F. Kiely)
7. Expert Evidence Law & Practice (3rd Addition, Sweet & Maxwell)
8. Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement (Written and Approved by the
9. Technical Working Group on Crime Scene Investigation)
10. The Practice of Crime Scene Investigation ©2004 (Edited by James Robertson)
11. Understanding Criminal Investigation (Stephen Tong, Robin P. Bryant & Miranda A. H.
Horvath)
12. Techniques of Crime Scene Investigations (Barry A. J. Fisher)
13. Crime Scene Handbook (Henry C Lee)
14. Crime Scene Processing & Laboratory Work Book (Patric Jones)
15. Fire Investigation (NIAMH NIC DAÉID)
16. Fire Arson Investigation Manual: Chemistry and Physics of Fire Behaviour
17. Bloodstain PatternAnalysis With an Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction (Tom
Bevel & Ross M. Gardner)
18. Serial Violence; Analysis of Modus Operandi and Signature Characteristics of Killers
(Robert D. Keppel, Ph.D. & William J. Birnes, J.D., Ph.D.)
19. DEAD RECKONING:The Art of Forensic Detection (Jon J. Nordby, Ph.D.)
20. Handbook for Death Scene Investigators (Jay Dix, M.D.)
21. HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION: A Practical Handbook (Burt Rapp)
22. Time of Death, Decomposition And Identification (Jay Dix & Michael Graham)
23. Criminalistics (Saferstein)
24. Handbook of Firearms and Ballistics: Examining and Interpreting Forensic Evidence
(Brian J. Heard)
25. Current Methods in FORENSIC GUNSHOT RESIDUE ANALYSIS (A. J. Schwoeble & David L.
Exline)
26. Gunshot Wounds: Practical Aspects of Firearms, Ballistics and Forensic Techniques
(Vincent J. M. DiMaio, M.D.)
27. AdvancesIn Fingerprint Technology (Henry C. Lee and R. E. Gaensslen)
28. Fingerprints and OtherRidge Skin Impressions (CHRISTOPHE CHAMPOD, CHRIS
LENNARD, PIERRE MARGOT and MILUTIN STOILOVIC)
29. Forensic Science Volumes 1-3(Ayn Embar-Seddon & Allan D. Pass)
30. Forensic Interpretation of Glass Evidence (James Michael Curran, Ph.D., Tacha Natalie
Hicks, Ph.D. & John S. Buckleton, Ph.D.)

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31. Forensic Chemistry (Suzanne Bell)

32. Analysis and Interpretation of Fire Scene Evidence (José R. Almirall and Kenneth G.
Furton)
33. FORENSIC ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION (Randall K. Noon)
34. FORENSIC DNA EVIDENCE INTERPRETATION (John Buckleton)
35. Computer and Intrusion Forensics (George Mohay, Alison Anderson, Byron Collie, Olivier
de Vel & Rodney McKemmish)
36. Cyber Crime: Investigator’s Field Book (Bruce Middleton)
37. Cyber Forensics—A Field Manual for Collecting, Examining, and Preserving Evidence of
Computer Crimes (ALBERT J. MARCELLA, Ph.D.)
38. INVESTIGATING COMPUTER-RELATED CRIME (Peter Stephenson)
39. CD & DVD Forensics (Paul Crowley)
40. A TEXTBOOK OF MODERN TOXICOLOGY (Ernest Hodgson)
41. Clarke’s Analytical Forensic Toxicology (Sue Jickells & Adam Negrusz)
42. Color Atlas of FORENSIC PATHOLOGY (Jay Dix)
43. Fundamentals of Forensic Practice: Mental Health and Criminal Law (Richard Rogers,
Ph.D., ABPP)
44. METHAMPHETAMINE USE Clinical and Forensic Aspects (Errol Yudko, Harold V. Hall &
Sandra B. McPherson)
45. Text Book of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology (Parikh C.K)

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