In a country as huge as ours, the one thing that is imperative to improve people’s knowledge about road safety is a comprehensive road safety programme.
The purpose of a road safety programme is to mitigate the risk of accident fatalities on the road and to improve the standards of forensic accident investigation.
To further this cause, the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) was set up in 1991 as a not-for-profit organisation.
It has launched M.Sc programmes in Forensic Science and Traffic Management to increase the level of road safety education in India.
Let’s have a look at the two courses in more detail:
M.Sc Forensic Science
The field of forensic science applies scientific knowledge to criminal investigations within the purview of permissible civil and criminal laws.
The job of forensic scientists is to collect, preserve and study scientific evidence during an ongoing investigation. This investigation is carried out either in a forensic lab or at the scene of the crime.
As a road safety programme, an M.Sc. in Forensic Science covers forensics, crime and investigative techniques, forensic ballistics and photography, forensic physics and biology.
The IRTE’s road safety programme is offered through the College of Traffic Management (CTM), which was launched in 2010.
The CTM is the only institution focussing on research that is related to traffic management as a part of its M.Sc. courses.
The forensic science programme was launched to provide quality education, research and practical training in the field. This programme has received several prestigious awards and has numerous affiliations over the years.
These courses employ GDs (group discussions), summer internship, project work, seminars, lab sessions and video conferencing by eminent national and international experts as a medium of instruction to its students.
Those who choose to pursue this field can pursue careers directly related to their degree. These include
Detective
Analytical Chemist
Biomedical Scientist
Forensic Computer Analyst
Forensic Scientist
Toxicologist
Paralegal
Police Officer
Solicitor
Professor
Science Writer
Forensic science is a significant area of study from a crime-solving point of view. As this field gains more and more traction as a full-time profession, the possibility of being able to solve more criminal cases scientifically would also go up.
M.Sc in Traffic Management
Like Forensic Science, Traffic Management is another area where individuals can pursue an M.Sc. degree.
IRTE’s College of Traffic Management (CTM) is the first institute in Asia to launch a master’s programme in Traffic Management to go along with their M.Sc. in Forensic Science.
Its two-year M.Sc. in Traffic Management provides students with the skills needed to design and manage traffic and transportation management systems.
This course introduces students to the significance of traffic education by using research along with global practices.
It covers areas such as
Driver Training
Transport and Traffic Engineering
Fleet Management
Road Safety Audits and Investigations
Traffic and Forensic Engineering
Road Asset Financing
Post Crash Management
This course also aims to create new career opportunities for students who choose to pursue this course.
Individuals who opt-in for this course can find jobs in the following avenues:
Legal firms
Automobile companies
Hospitals
Other institutions related to the field
Like forensic science, traffic management is also an area of study which hasn’t had much attention in the past. Given the current situation of traffic in most major cities, these road safety programmes are essential to impart road safety education in India.
Author : Sshekhar Jha
