Forensic science is the least attractive course or path that college students take. Why because of the numerous skills needed and training to continually undergo to be able to professionally practice it here. During the pandemic and the relentless war on drugs by the Duterte administration, the fact came to fore when only two forensic experts were overwhelmed by the job with all the cadavers to be studied as to the cause of their death.
Luckily, with the tie-up between UP Manila and Monash University of Australia, things might improve, interest might be awakened and more practitioners will come in.
Drs. Raquel Fortun and Maria Cecilia Lim are just the two forensic pathologists we have and they work almost 24/7.
In an interview last month, Fortun expressed optimism about a “bright future for the justice system” as the country aims to increase its forensic practitioners.
The academic partnership is expected to train a new breed of forensic scientists in February next year.
“I waited 30 years for this, and now I am more than two years away from retirement. We don’t have a death investigation system, which is beneficial to our criminal justice and public health issues. We are not seriously interested in preventing deaths by learning from them,” Fortun said, adding that the partnership between UP Manila and Monash University is a good start.
“We are looking forward to offering forensic science training to Filipinos and sharing research findings. There are already applicants,” Fortun said.
Under the partnership between the two universities, UP Manila will adopt the forensic science program of Monash and have its faculty members trained through a “transnational education portal.”
Monash will deliver two-year master’s degree and short-term certificate programs in forensic science with UP Manila through a hybrid setup to train faculty members.
The Pathology Department of UP Manila, led by Fortun, and doctors from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine in Southbank, Australia developed the framework and curriculum for forensic science education in the Philippines.
Fortun said she hopes the deficiencies in criminal investigations would improve as the drug war during the Duterte administration has left many families “hopeless and frustrated” with the justice system.
Officials of UP Manila and Monash University signed last month an agreement for forensic science training and research activities in the Philippines.
Students of the training programs will receive either a two-year Forensic Medicine master’s degree or a short-term certificate in forensic science, based on Republic Act 11448 or the Transnational Education Law.
The Our Lady of Fatima University offers a four-year Bachelor of Forensic Science, non-board degree program that prepares the graduate for careers in scientific crime detection, law enforcement, forensic science education, and research/evaluation of forensic evidence in the courts. Moreover, this program is also preparatory for the study of Law and Medicine, and for further forensic science specialization.
There isn't much information about how much a forensic scientist makes in the Philippines, but some say it is more than enough for all the tiresome work and lack of sleep from the practice.
The demand for forensic scientists in the Philippines has increased over the past decade due to human rights violations. However, there are still few forensic science practitioners in the country.
The average forensic scientist's gross salary in the Philippines is ₱662,247 or an equivalent hourly rate of ₱318. In addition, they earn an average bonus of ₱13,907. Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in the Philippines.
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