Translated by Alise Rule
One of the most serious shortcomings of the Mexican justice system is the lack of professionals that possess the scientific qualifications needed to carry out investigations of criminal acts. This shortage is leading to inadequate crime scene investigations lacking in scientific precision.
As a result, last January the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) created a degree program in forensic science to prepare individuals to coordinate investigations of various crimes using scientific methods, and with components of scientific investigation contribute to the solving of incidents in the legal, civil, administrative, family and labor arenas, among others.
“The goal is to train experts with backgrounds in chemistry, science, medicine, and humanities that know the importance of their role in the judicial process. Professionals are required who know upon finishing their studies what must be done in an actual case and are capable of carrying out the forensic practice. Of course, afterwards they should be directed towards a specialization,” explained program coordinator Zoraida García Castillo, in an interview with La Jornada.Professionals prepared by this program will receive a multi- and inter-disciplinary education and will be able to coordinate, lead, and carry out the scientific investigation of a crime involving the study of significant sensitive materials found at the crime scene, the causality, the responsible party, and the victim.
Currently, points out García Castillo, in Mexico experts are forged in practice and become specialized in various law enforcement institutions, courts and in other areas.
The program will be based in the Department of Medicine, with the participation of the Departments of Law, Science, Philosophy and Letters, Chemistry and Psychology, as well as the Institute of Anthropological Investigations. In addition, the Superior Justice Court and the Attorney General of the Federal District and the Institute of Forensic Sciences will also take part.
Acceptance to the program will be indirect, that is, explains the coordinator, young people will have to be selected--by a system of regulated steps or by competitive admission--to one of the programs taught in the departments previously mentioned, and they will have to demonstrate their desire to study forensic science. Registration will expire on July 22 and more information can be found at the following link: Licenciatura Ciencia Forense.
One of the fundamental contributions of the forensic science training at UNAM will be professional ethics, since instruction will place emphasis on the risk of falling into corruption.
In addition to being able to develop themselves in the field of federal, state or municipal justice, professionals in forensic science will also be able to work in the private sector (for example at insurance companies) or offer their services as independent experts. Spanish original