Forensic Science Graduates Future In Malaysia
Written by WTJ on April 22, 2008 – 12:26 am -Kean Jim showed me a letter wrote by Wyn regarding to the future of forensic science undergraduates in Malaysia (Letter was written in Chinese).
As it is a demand for forensic science in Malaysia, Malaysia Royal Police (PDRM) and Malaysia Chemistry Department (JKM) had introduced the course for Bachelor of Forensic Science degree in local university, USM. The course was designed by them to teach them all the knowledges one needed in investigating crime, handling evidences, court knowledges, and also all the 
related skills. Wyn mentioned that after they graduate, there was no suitable positions in either PDRM or JKM. Wyn was confused why on earth the course was designed by them if it was not to train forensic professionals to aid in crime investigating. Wyn questioned if the course was designed just for the sack of it without thinking if there was any job vacancies for all the gradutes. PDRM explained that if people graduate with the degree, they need to be a police first before they can join their lab. Becoming a police in Malaysia is not an issue, but there is a minimum requirement as a police candidate, which is that one cannot wear spectacles (vision problems). As you know, science kids are nerds and most of us wear specs. JKM also rejected these undergraduates as they thought these people did not have enough chemistry knowledge (and the course was designed by JKM). Wyn also pointed out that one of the government owned TV channel was showing “Crime Scene Investigation” programme, which attracted more people considering taking forensic science degree.
Wyn felt lost as he did not know how would he do in the future. People who chose to take forensic science degree (as well as other degree) were not dumb, instead they were qualified to study medicine. We chose to do science was simply because we were really passionate in it. The same thing does not only happen on forensic science, but also biotechnology degree as government was promoting it heavily in recent years, and the job prospective in Malaysia is really bad (#).
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Tags: Bachelor of Forensic Science, forensic science, Letter, malaysia |
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 am
i am thinking what can they do. PDRM and JKM might hire some of them, but surely not all.
sales? perhaps.
insurance agent? perhaps.
teacher? perhaps…
gosh, it’s so sound like the rest of biology-course-related graduates!
we are boleh!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:20 am
[...] Forensic Science Graduates Future In Malaysia @ Nerdy Science Blog. 2 Responsessubscribe to comments rss or leave a trackback [...]
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 am
When I look at the course design, it was said that they only accept 30 applicants each year, and according to their research, Malaysia still lack 400~500 people at that time. It had been 8 years, if all 30 graduates are accepted, it is still not enough to fulfill the demand for forensic scientists. Besides that, the forensic departments have been giving talks to biotechnology students encouraging them to involve in forensic science. I guess they are still lack of forensic scientists.
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
They are lacking of forensic scientists, they are! Especially after the Mongolian case, it just like an awaken bomb to certain parties.
When PDRM started the Malaysian DNA database project which meant for forensic usage, they actually need more forensic scientists or maybe scientists. They need people (not policeman) to operate the ABI sequencer, high throughput liquid handling machine, high throughput spotting machine, DNA extraction and isolation, DNA finger print, PCR amplification, or perhaps Bioinformatics too. However, the higher level of PDRM or JPA doesn’t make a move to amend the requirement for current need, we just end up nothing.
We are not fully utilise all human resources we have trained in universities. Waste? It is indeed. Mind you, all the money spent in Universities to train these group of people are your tax money.
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
[...] of this letter in English can be found at here. 鉴证科学毕业生前路茫茫 Wyn then | 4月20日 [...]
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I believe a lot of rural places couldn’t get those high-tech equipments as well, that’s why they don’t need forensic scientists like that.
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:28 am
[...] Written by Lau on April 23, 2008 – 3:28 am - I’ll like to take a break from jobless forensic science graduates and second space tourism [...]
April 25th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
[...] enough money but Deputy Prime Minister insisting our second space tourism is on, and the fact where our CSI graduates are jobless after following courses designed by related government [...]
May 1st, 2008 at 2:44 am
This is an interesting post, indeed. Thank you for writing this up. I’m also quite aware of this policy, and have many questions of my own pertaining to the future of forensic science of our country. I hope they will resolve this issue soon, as there are many potential forensic scientists in Malaysia who are keen to serve the country, but are confounded by the ambiguity of the situation made by the powers-that-be. Such a pity, as I think the value of forensic science field is just as important as medicine, and just as tough.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:02 pm
is it right when people said not so many chances for a women to become a forensic scientist in msia?why?i really love this field.can any body explain to me especially those girls that graduated in this course.please……….
May 21st, 2008 at 3:03 pm
syuhada norman: it is possible for woman to work in forensic fields. I had seen the speakers for talks given by forensic department are majority women.