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 | 38 Comments »
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.
October 26th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Our forensic dept is a joke. The 1st point in any crimne scene is to minimise contamination and the rate our police at any of the crime scene already contaminate it before the crime scene investigator arrived. I have seen a lot of bodies covered up by newspaper God knows where they get it from. Our police officer still need a lot of training to work together with the CSI and most of them still do not understand the sensivity of such issue. Not every state in US or UK have crime lab but they have CSi in every state. The government should station CSI in every state so that they can do their collection and all the data send to the lab in KL.
Until and unless our leadership in our country change their perception of forensic science, we will have lot of graduates without work.
November 25th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Currently, I am a college student who are waiting for result and I applied for a few universities in australia for Forensic Science… but i m doubt whether i should proceed with my dream or just let it go due to the low demand of forensic scientists in malaysia.. In addition, my family doesnt really support with my decision? will forensic scientist have a bright future in Malaysia? Shouldnt the government allocate more money and resources to develop this field as the crime rate in increasing…
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
i very interest in forensic…i had just finish my secondary study..where can i take forensic course?
December 11th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
As i am informed, if u opt for private universities in Malaysia, there are Inti College, Nilai offering forensic science under the australia degree transfer programme and also UCSI. Inti is twinning to University of Western Sydney, Aus while UCSI is twinning to Murdoch University, Aus.. If you want to complete locally, the only option is UTM.. If you are interested, you may send me an email, reenalim_90@yahoo.com
December 15th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
there are no job as a forensic in malaysia… craps.. U know what .. when i watched on tv, buletin utama a man i think a man from forensic department just wearing a jeans n tshirt (selekeh gler) not really reflecting about forensic try to find finger print at the entrence door.. what i’m just saying is…oh god, is he a forensic people. heyyyyyyyyyy… he just a policeman and was trasfer into forensic department without any degree in forensic … are they crazy? our goverment or PDRM are totally stupid or what… so sorry to saying this… 4 me, if any goverment doing just like they are doing right now… encourage to study (separuh mati…) then after graduated there are no jobs offered… emmmmmmmm…. are they so brilliant or what… LU PIKIR LA SENDIRI>>>
December 27th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Well, seems like the current local government has some problems in handling their human resource.
There’s no wonder that congregations of local talents are seeking the way out by migrating to other countries.
As the saying goes, one is unlikely to appreciate the things that they can get easily.
For those of you who are really passionate, you may consider to build your future somewhere else. Perhaps you can have a better future and get somebody else to appreciate your talent and passion.
I’m not trying to attacking any party but rather with the intention to offer an alternative solution.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
hye guys..
i’m one of d forensic stdent in d usm…
u know wat..
its juz like a fool things…
u learn someting that u cant ever go ..
my lecturer tell me dat we cant b csi..
n csi is not forensic science…
it is under the job of police officer…
same too wit fornsc scientist..u need to b scientist 1st b4 u cn b a frnsic scientist…
then fornsc athropology n frnsic dentist u need to b a doctor 1st n further ur stdy to next level to get diz title…wat a silly huh???
jkm not accept us…
pdrm not accept us…
u know wat…bongok je rase…
penat2 pegi praktikal kt pdrm n jabatan bomba tp kite tak kan keje kt citu pon…
mrapu ape ni ha???
i feel so sad u know coz thougt our job is demand at d outside…blaja bukan main susah…balistik la,criminalistic la,pe lagi ntah yg stik2 nye…tp ble keje juz lam lab je…bukan nye kite yg pg investigate ol d things kt crime scene tp tu sume nye keje polis…
kalu cm2 bek ak masuk polis..senang2 dpt jd polis forensik…
hahaaa…bt it is juz my opinion n d unsatisfaction from me la…
if u ol wana take diz course u better do it well la ye…
mybe in d future diz course will get more wider job la than now..hope so…
for diz time juz usm n ukm dat offer this course….
its a great course bt hmmm….dunno la to say….
February 19th, 2009 at 10:22 am
malaysian students are eager to get into this field… why dont the government of malaysia didnt take the right action to solve this doubts among the students???
forensic is lab works and why must we enter the PDRM first???
March 6th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
im a final year medical student frm overseas. i wish to bcum a forensics, bt when can i tek da specialization? izit after i complete da housemanship? and wats da duration? thnx for any kind reply.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
with a diploma in pharmacy can i enter the forensic department….
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Hey, I’m currently studying in Australia, doing my final year in BSc.Biomedical Science, which gives me the opportunity to enter either Postgrad Forensics courses in Australia or into Postgrad Medicine.. both of which could be useful in Forensics.
Students considering the forensic science undergraduate program should have a strong background in the natural, physical and mathematical sciences and a willingness to involve themselves deeply in both chemistry and biology.
CSI and tv shows just exagerates the job of a forensic scientist. They make it seem like one person can do multiple jobs, wehn in fact a specialist is required for each job.
If you want to visit crime scenes, you HAVE to be a policeman/woman. Don’t bother studying a science course or forensics course yet. Go straight into the police department and work your way up into the forensics/homicide dept.
If you want to work in a lab, you HAVE to have a science qualification. That means be an expert in one field. Some examples are
Genetics = DNA analysing
Geology = Soil analysis
Psychology = Dealing with victims, analysing criminal profiles.
If you want to be a forensic pathologist, you HAVE to have a degree in medicine. This involves dealing with actual bodies on a daily basis, performing atopsies and collecing evidence from bodies.
In short, the forensic course will not give you the specific qualification you need for the individual task you will perform. It just teaches you how to use the skills in a forensic setting. If you work in a lab or with evidence, it basically teaches you how to keep samples contamination-free, how to present evidence in court, and gives a basic understaning of different classifications of evidence and how the law system works.
I think you should get a basic degree before attempting a forensics course.
March 23rd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I am a final year student of BSc.(hons)Chemistry (Forensic Analysis)in UiTM. Currently, we are undergoing our 2nd practical training elsewhere after completing 1 month training with PDRM, last january. I’ve gone through all the comments in this blog. Since, we are the 1st batch in UiTM, we hadn’t had the chance to ask the seniors about the career prospects for forensic graduates. Thank God that I finally found the answer for my question through the confession of forensics graduates in this blog!
With chemistry background seems not a problem of getting a job, as we could go to any chemistry-related department/industry. However, with the specialization in forensics analysis, the situation has changed. They misunderstood us with forensic pathology. We are facing difficulty even to get place for training…u could imagine how difficult it might be when it comes to job.
In UiTM, we’ve took forensic science courses such as criminalistics, toxicology, fibers, ballistics, serology and many more…even criminal laws. However, we are focusing more on analysis and we learned more chemistry.
‘Forensic’ has a very broad meaning and scope. It doesn’t mean that u have to be a police in order to become a forensic expert. Anyone could be a forensic expert; it is when ur knowledge and specialization is needed for court or legal purposes. So, why do we have to be a police? If the policemen within the CSI team do not have such knowledge, they should have someone who are qualified and with particular field of knowledge or specialization to be attach with CSI team. This is very important for on-scene investigation when preliminary analysis is required.
We really hope that our government would look into this issue as seriously as the increasing number of crimes in our country.
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Let us pray 4 it!
June 26th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Hello all. For your information, JKM has employed almost half of the first batch students from USM’s For.Sc. program (I’m one of them). The rest of them were employed by KKM. Some even rejected the offer from JKM. Students from the following two batches were also taken in by JKM. But expecting JKM to employ every single for.sc graduate is unreasonable as there are limited vacancy as in any other organization. To the author of the article above, please get your facts right as these two statements below are false and misleading.
-Wyn mentioned that after they graduate, there was no suitable positions in either PDRM or JKM.
-JKM also rejected these undergraduates as they thought these people did not have enough chemistry knowledge (and the course was designed by JKM)
June 26th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
i’m the one graduated with Bachelor of Scince (Forensic Science) from USM. To work in forensic field in M’sia is impossible due to no vacancies in PDRM or JKM that suited with us. What we can do are working with private sector.It is quite wasting money from goverment for not hiring us because most of us were scholar holders. We were practically learned how to think and solve the problem just like the CSI team from A-Z.
June 27th, 2009 at 1:43 am
i’m ex student forensics,and now working in one of the hospital in Malaysia as forensics officer, may be it is my luck but most of my friend got related job too. what is important, contact all ur senior and keep in touch wit them so that if any related vacancy u’ll keep inform.
doesn’t means u r graduated in forensics, u have to work as a forensics scientist. open ur mind find for any jobs where u can apply ur knowledge and experience. research field, education, lab work, chemist, adjuster and underwriter…do u think being a forensics scientist is a the only job u have to be???? ask urself…
August 14th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
i heard a lot of frustration among forensics graduates, saying that there are no suitable job @ no job for them after graduation.
i would like to express my opinion in this.im an ex forensics graduate in usm.it is true the job position is limited.the 1st or 2nd batch they could easily get a job in jkm, hospital bcause there are plenty of empty post for that particular position.when it comes to the latter batch, there are no more vacancy left.
yes, it is understanable, u studied for 4 years being attached to pdrm and bomba, being promised a bright future ahead and at the end of it, ur jobless.
yet, blaming the government, pdrm, bomba bla bla are not solutions.thats how the system works. u need to find the job, rather than waiting for the job to find u. there are plenty of private sectors which in need of forensics graduate such as APPROVED FORENSICS in Sentul.why dont u give a shot for an interview?? there is another option, further study in master and become a lecture. to enter the government sector, u need to wait for vacancy. i have a friend who waited for two years before she finally got a job in a local hospital, as a forensic officers.
the only real forensic work in m’sia is in pdrm. and yet, to join the force is a problem.most ppl x join the force maybe bcause they think they r physically not qualified, wearing glasses. the thing is,u need to try. if u think ur x qualified, why dont u try contacting someone u know in the PDRM to help u manage ur way to join the force. see, u never know if u never try.simple.
maybe becoming a forensic scientist is not something that can bring u satisfaction or happiness. why dont u try other field of works.insurance maybe?wealth advisor maybe?teachers maybe???can make a lot of money though.
thats all.timasey!!
September 14th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Dear sir, Iam forensic expert in meicolegal organization -Egypt(narcotic-toxicology)since 1995 and have Ph.D degree in toxicology and published papers in EGYPT,USA ,SIRILANKA ,MAROC, FRANCE and KSA.I ask you if we can co-operation in this field in scientific research or work.More details can send if you accept.BEST RAGARS
September 14th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Dear sir, Iam forensic expert in meicolegal organization -Egypt(narcotic-toxicology)since 1995 and have Ph.D degree in toxicology and published papers in EGYPT,USA ,SIRILANKA ,MAROC, FRANCE and KSA.I ask you if we can co-operation in this field in scientific research or work.More details can send if you accept.BEST RAGARDS
October 30th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
hi i just finished my diploma in mlt and im confused on how to enter forensic studies. where to apply
October 30th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
i just finished my diploma in mlt and im confused on how to enter forensic studies. where to apply?
November 24th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
i currently doin 3rd year bachelor in biomedicine in msu. t juz want to knw either i can do master in forensic science. i manage to maintain my cgpa 3.50 and above
REPLY ME ASAP
January 25th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
hello, thanks for this blog. If you can, would you post more about csi and type of its work. Also, i will be happy if you’re willingly to post about the place to study more about csi in Malaysia. Ok .
January 25th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
hello , i have this one friend name sarah she and i both shared same interest about csi. She always want to become one and so do I . And if its possible to Any of people who know this blog to reply this mail about any exchange program and please someone tell me about perkembangan dunia csi di malaysia. Uhhhh. Penat giler rasanya dengan harapan nak kerja kat real lab. Tp, berdasarkan komen2 yg lepas rasanya x de keyakinan la. Ape la yg harus saya lakukan.
February 13th, 2010 at 3:48 am
Criminal investigation is a science, worth its persuit. CSI investigations involve much more than investigative work. It entails the science of equipment use and knowledge of methods that are available in the field of study.
February 13th, 2010 at 3:52 am
Criminal investigation is a science, worth its pursuit . CSI investigations involve much more than investigative work. It entails the science of equipment use and knowledge of methods that are available in the field of study.
February 18th, 2010 at 1:14 am
bla bla bla…my short advice to those forensics students that still blame government department (PDRM or JKM), further ur study:postgraduate (to become academician such as lecturer) or find other forensics-related-agencies..latest information: infovalley company (computer pathology based) at mines “if i not mistaken”..someone correct me if im wrong..dont just rely on JKM and PDRM, click on d mouse and start to search ur career path rather than giving ur lament statements..goodluck