Career as a Forensic Science Technician

If you are the type who enjoys crime shows, but only the investigation part which involves forensic science and wonder if you could carry out such thrilling crime solving without being in mainstream crime-related profession then a career in forensic science is just the one for you. Being a forensic science technician would be a one step closer to achieve this dream of gathering forensic evidences and offer a major contribution to solving crimes. Forensic Science is the scientific method of collecting and evaluating information about an incident occurred in the past which could help solve a crime and also help in providing evidences in the court of Law. The term forensic is derived from the Latin word 'forensis' which means 'of the forum'. The evidence provided by the forensic scientists helps in solving many crimes and is thus considered to be a legally accepted evidence. It is thus considered to be a crucial element for today's judicial system.

Source - Google

Role of Forensic Science Technicians

Involving in varied aspects of science, forensic science can be considered to be a broad field. Forensic Science Technician also referred as Forensic scientists examine various crime scenes or accidental scenes and discover some fruitful evidences which may help describe the unfortunate event that took place in a much detailed version. They investigate the explosion scenes and fire scenes to come up with certain clear explanation on how and why the event or crime must have took place. The forensic scientists help collect data on the exact number of people involved during a crime scene by providing scientific facts to prove their findings. The crime scenes are analysed and evaluated  by performing certain procedures such as

1. Taking pictures of the crime scene

2. Gathering physical evidences such as blood samples, bodily fluids, fingerprints etc scattered throughout the crime scene

3. Evaluating and determining the position of the evidence found.

4. Recording observations and findings for latter investigation.

5. Collecting other evidences left out on the crime scene such as weapons which may include knives, pistols, rods etc.

6. Making sketches of the crime scene.

7. Preserving the evidences found  for transfer to the respective crime laboratory.

The evidences that are transferred to the crime labs are further put to work by carrying out various analysis on them which include chemical analysis, biological analysis and physical analysis to explore the various possibilities of the nature of crime and also to connect the missing links possibly between the criminal suspect and the crime that took place. The tests that are carried out by the forensic science technicians provide a useful data to the crime investigators for the reconstruction and better understanding of the crime that took place.

Areas of Specialization for Forensic Science Technicians

Forensic Science Technician would perform all the above mentioned tasks or may specialize in certain key areas of sciences. Those who perform the tasks of working on the crime scene and collecting evidences, such forensic science technicians are called as criminalists. A Criminalist performs the task of collecting and analyzing data along with the evidences to connect the missing links between a crime, a victim and a suspect. A criminalists thus not only carries on a duty of a crime scene investigator but also of a lab analyst.

A forensic science technician may also work in labs to analyze evidences through microscope. Such evidences may include examination of DNA samples, fingerprints or recovered body parts. In this area of specialization, more importance is provided in matching the available data with the known elements found to used during the crime such as recovery of a vehicle, a weapon or recovery of certain fibers. These forensic scientists who carry on such works may have a specialization in odontology or could be a forensic ballistics expert.

Some of the forensic scientists may specialize in providing useful evidence in computer based crimes. Such forensic scientists are computer experts and help analyze and gather data which can help solve cyber crimes, scams, electronic theft and identity theft. Such experts can also help gather digital evidences which may help solve a non-cyber crime.

Other areas of expertise for a forensic science technician would include chemistry, biology, firearms, pharmacology and toxicology. Such forensic scientists with these areas of specialization come handy in crimes which include fire scenes or death due to poisoning etc.

In all the cases, a forensic science technician needs to provide a detailed report of his findings, evidences and the investigation strategy used. The forensic scientist should be capable of explaining and convincing his theories and reports to the court of law and other law enforcement officials.

Eligibility for Forensic Science Technician

A degree in any of the natural sciences such as biology or chemistry is the basic requirement for the forensic scientist qualifications. A person who majors in forensic science should have extensive course work in subjects like mathematics, biology and chemistry. Students with degrees which do not specialize in the natural sciences should go for an additional course in forensic sciences. Apart from a educational qualification, in order to qualify as a forensic science technician one needs to work extensively on-the-job training. This on-the-job training can be carried out by accepting an apprenticeship with any experienced forensic scientists. During this training period a novice forensic science technician may acquire practical training of various methods with which the forensic investigation is carried out.

Qualities a Forensic Science Technician should Possess

Certain skills or qualities a forensic science technician should possess to become an expert in his or her field include

- good communication skills

- critical thinking

- problem solving attitude

- Composure

- Better understanding of statistics

- Knowledge of natural sciences.

- Professionalism

- Objectivity

Scope for Forensic Science Technicians

Forensic Science Technician would find various job opportunities in government as well as private sector. Working with crime investigators, law enforcement agencies, legal system, CBI, CID etc are some of the job prospects a forensic scientists should look forward to. Other than that, in private agencies a forensic science technicians job description would include working on fields of construction sites, mechanical effect builders, research work, working on production lines, assisting production designer and art director, doing research on period and contemporary elements etc. 

Is it Okay to Feed Sunflower Seeds to Parrots

We are often been told to feed sunflower seeds to parrots. The catalog that comes with the bird feeder mentions so. However, if this feeding is limited only to visitor parrots than it is fine to feed them sunflower seeds. But if you are planning to feed these seeds to your pet parrot, you should think about it. Visitor parrots visit once or twice daily for their own measure of feed, and then they also fly and visit other places where they get other foods to eat. But a pet parrot is totally depended on you for the food. And hence he will eat only what you feed him. So if you keep feeding him only sunflower seeds then it may not be good for your pet parrot. Sunflower seeds are actually the seeds in its hull. Three common types that are used in sunflower seeds are linoleic, high oleic and NuSun. Sunflower seeds contain large amounts of carbohydrates and fats. What they lack is the vital nutrients and hence overfeeding the parrots, (here I mean excessive portions of sunflower seeds) only can make the bird overweight and thus will prone to high risk of illness.

 Birds can thus die of heart diseases and liver diseases. Due to lack of vital nutrients, the parrots can also be calcium deficient which would lead to brittle nails and weak bones. Hence you keep your birds healthy, it is important to include calcium rich foods such as small amount of chopped spinach or broccoli. Fresh fruits or a chopped portion of mixed fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apples, guava, can also be a perfect parrot food. This helps the bird to live longer and healthy. Ideal food that your bird feeder should include is mixed portions of bajra (pearl millet), ragi(finger millet), broken rice and sunflower seeds. This way you not only feed parrots but also other small birds such as sparrows. 

Facts About The Holocaust

Derived from the words, 'Holos' which means whole and 'Kaustos' which means burned, The Holocaust is the term used for horrific series of events or to be more specific, as a Mass Murder that happened in Germany between 30th January 1933 to 8th May 1945. The Holocaust is an historical term which initially describes the sacrificial offering burned on an altar, but since 1945 is referred to the mass execution of more than six million European Jews, who were massacred by the German Nazi regime. The Nazi leader Adolf Hitler had always considered Jews to be inferior race. For him, the Jewish community was sort of an alien threat to the pure racist community of Germany. Hence throughout German occupied Poland, various mass killing centers under the pretext of concentration camps were constructed where in the Jews were killed on large numbers. The Holocaust was indeed considered to be the 'Final Solution' of Hitler and was kept hidden from the Allied Powers until the end of the war.

Source - Google

What were Concentration Camps

Concentration camps usually refers to camps that are built to detain prisoners. These camps endow harsh treatments and conditions on the confined people and work against the normal rules and regards for legal norms. During the German Nazi regime, these concentration camps formed the structural part of the control and leadership from the year 1933 to 1945. On these concentration camps which were constructed all over the German occupied Poland, atrocities and torture were imposed on the prisoners. One of the first concentration camp was constructed in Germany soon after Adolf Hitler was appointed as the Chancellor in January 1933.

Source - Google

The first regular concentration camp particularly meant for Political prisoners was Dachau, established by the German Coalition government of National Socialist Workers Party and the Nationalist People's Party. With the beginning of the Second World War, millions of ordinary people were confined in these concentration camps where they were tortured, starved and killed in the name of imprisonment. Life in concentration camps during the Holocaust was torturous and ugly.

What triggered The Holocaust

Germany was defeated in World War I. It faced humiliation by the Versailles Treaty which added to it's woe. The Versailles Treaty had a great impact on Germany as it not only reduced its existing power but also cutback it's armed forces. Germany also had to compensate the Allied Powers. The Worldwide Depression caused due to New York Stock Market Crash in 1929 further added to it's economic volatility. There was major unemployment and monetary unsteadiness.

Versailles Treaty
Source - Google

The leader of the National Socialist German Workers, Adolf Hitler was appointed as the Chancellor of Germany by President Paul Von Hindenburg on 30th January 1933. Adolf Hitler had been hostile and prejudiced when it came to Jews and inferior classes. He considered Jews to be an inferior race and an alien threat to German's pure race. The killings thus began in the names of the 'Final Solution' or The Holocaust. Killing centers in the form of concentration camps were constructed all over the German occupied Poland and thus began the mass murders of the European Jews. More than six million Jews were horribly killed with various attack types such as genocide, ethnic cleansing, gassing and burning alive. Building the concentration camps in Poland held logistic importance. Millions of Jews lived in most part of Poland before the war. This location of concentration camps also made it convenient for the Nazis to remove the German Jews from within Germany proper.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

27th January is remembered as the International Holocaust Remembrance Day when thousands of people all over the world pay homage to the millions of Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

Facts About The Holocaust

1. Once Adolf Hitler came into power in Germany, the Holocaust began in the year 1933. It ended in the year 1945 only after the Allied powers defeated the Nazis.

2. Adolf Hitler made it a point to hide the Holocaust from the Allied powers and rest of the world.

3. More than six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust

4. Though Jews were the main target for Nazis, yet more than five million non-Jewish people were victim of the Holocaust.

5. These non-Jewish victims who were considered as inferior race included the Roma(gypsies), Blacks and mixed African-Germans

6. Half of the German Jews and more than two third of Austrian Jews fled Germany between 1933 to 1939. They seek refuge in United States, Latin America, Japan occupied Shanghai and elsewhere in Europe.

7. When the Second World War started, the Jewish were made to wear a yellow Star of David with the word 'Jude' written on it so that Nazis would identify them as Jewish.

8. Jewish people were used for performing medical experiments during the Holocaust.

9. In the Auschwitz concentration camp were given tattoos with numbers so the Germans could identify them.

10. Around two-third of Jewish population within Europe was destroyed by Nazis during the World War II.

Story Writings Tips for Students

Stories have always been an important part of our growing up. Don't everyone of us have a beautiful story, a fascinating tale or an unforgettable memory to tell which relates to those amazing nights of our growing up. Be it an adventure tale, a fairy tale, a ghost story or even a short moral story, stories never fail to amaze us. When we hear a good story, we are thrilled and that, my dear friend can happen to people of any age group. Hence stories are thoroughly enjoyed only when they are told in a way that is engaging and interesting. Be it a fiction or a true tale, the story is enjoyable or engrossing depending on how it is written or how it is told. And hence it is very important to tell or write a good story.

Story writing is an art, which anyone can adept, provided story writing tips are followed. Story writing tips are important  for school kids. Usually for story writing, school students are provided with points related to the story. Students have to write a story based on the points provided to them. Here are few story writing tips that can help you write a good story.

Top Six Story Writing Tips for Students

Read and Follow the Outline

Before writing a story, it is very important to read the outline of the story. Once you read the story outline, make sure you get an clear idea of the story plot before you start writing the story. Understand the story plot and follow the outline carefully. Do not miss a single point that is been provided to you.

Connect the Points

Once the points are read and understood, it is important to connect the points in your head to get an idea how the story would be written. While connecting the points to make a story, remember to connect the points in a way that the story would sound natural and real. Do not omit a single point from the story that is to be written. Omitting a point would disconnect the story from the rest of the points.

Use your Imagination

It is important for students while writing a story to include all the points provided. But those are just few points, rest is all on the students to fill in the missing details. These missing details can be filled by coming up with something imaginary which they can freely use in the story. The students have total freedom of come up with whatever they feel can help them connect the points and write a good story. Imagination plays a greater role while composing a story by using a bare outline that has been provided.

Making Use of Direct Speech

A story can become interesting if direct speech is introduced in it. A student can use every tool to make the story interesting and enjoyable for its audience. So introducing conversation in a story can be a good idea and thus making use of direct speech can help the story look and sound natural. Remember if direct speech is not what you are planning to use in the story you are about to write, then ensure that the story is written in past tense.

Conclude Interestingly

Whenever we hear or read a story, we always await the ending or conclusion. If a story doesn't end up brilliantly then it is not a good story. The ending of a story has to be striking. Try and make the ending interesting by adding a surprise element. A story can have a happy ending or an ending with strong moral, but it has to be written with a twist or a surprise.

Give a Proper Title

Sometimes a story outline is provided for students to write a good story and also to come up with a suitable title. A student should come up with a title that suits the story perfectly. This title could include either the main characters of the story or one can use an object or incident included in the story as a perfect title. Use of proverbs or saying or even morals work as a good idea for the title.  

What is Promethium

Silvery white in colour, Promethium is considered an harmful element due to its radioactivity. It was discovered by American chemists J. A. Marinsky, L. E. Glendenin and Charles Coryell in the year 1947. When discovered it was noted that Promethium would be only rare radioactive metal on earth. Though silvery white in colour, the salts of Promethium have red or pink colour which turn luminescence with a pale blue or green glow. Promethium derived its name from Prometheus, a Greek mythological figure.

Uses of Promethium

1. It is used to measure the thickness of materials like metal sheets.

2. It is used in atomic batteries, space craft and guided missiles.

3. It is also used as a portable x-ray source and a heat source which offers auxiliary power for space probes and satellites. 

What is Borax

Sources: Google images

A natural white powder mineral formed from a colourless crystal, Borax was discovered in the dry lake beds of Tibet. Borax is known to easily dissolve in water. It has a high alkaline structure and has a pH level of 9.3. The chemical formula of Borax is a combination of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. Though considered safe to the planet, yet large amounts of Borax can pose a threat to the plants and animal species.

Borax is used on  large scale for manufacturing soaps and detergents. Due to it's alkaline properties and water solubility, borax is known to remove tough stain. Other than that, Borax is also used in manufacture of dyes, fungicides, pesticides, enamels, glazes and fire-proofing compounds. A large amount of borax is also known to be used in tanning industry. 

How are Memories Formed in the Brain

Sources: Google images

Our brain is known to tie the sights, smells, sounds and our own impressions on certain things or moments or experiences together into a relationship. This usually happens when we experience a certain feeling, sad or happy, about someone or something. These relationships tied together by our brain helps to create memories of that particular event or episodes. Memories are categorized based on the impression they make and time it takes for that particular memory to last. Memories that last not more than a couple of milliseconds are known as working memories; whereas a memory that lasts for an hour or even a year are long term memories.

The working memory is known to provide us vivid detail of thoughts that frequently appear on our mind. But a long term memory provides a slightly blurry image of many incidents that we have experienced together. Though one can possibly hold out as many long term memory as possible, yet not each and every memory provides crystal clear details. Only those memories are regarded as important, which focus on an experience which has strong impressions on our mind. And hence it usually happens that we forget some or the other details of a particular memory at a certain point of time.