Samshad Begum Khan, CEO of Vizopsy and Virtual Autopsy Forensic Services (VAFS), Mumbai, delivered a workshop on Postmortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) – also known as virtual autopsy. She described PMCT as a ‘third eye for the forensic pathologist’ that provides non-invasive, high-resolution imaging of internal injuries, fractures, haemorrhages, and foreign objects without physical dissection.
Her key argument: virtual autopsy does not replace conventional autopsy, but it acts as a complementary tool that enhances accuracy and objectivity in medico-legal cases. She presented a real case study – a 30-year-old male found 18 hours after death with thermal injuries, initially classified as accidental death. PMCT revealed concealed internal findings that suggested homicide, preventing a misclassification that a purely external examination would have missed.
The session also introduced VAFS-certified training courses in PMCT examination, 3D forensic reconstruction, and forensic radiology reporting – courses that may be offered at Parul University for students interested in this emerging field.
Session 2: Predictive Forensics - Can AI Anticipate Crime Patterns?
Dr. Ankita Patel, Assistant Professor in the Department of Forensic Science at Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, delivered a talk on predictive forensics – the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse historical crime data, recognise patterns, and support preventive policing strategies.
She opened with a reference to the Hollywood film Minority Report and the CSI series, drawing the distinction between cinematic fiction and real-world forensic practice. Predictive forensics, she clarified, is not about arresting people before crimes happen – it is about studying past data to generate evidence-based decisions for resource allocation and prevention.
Session 3: The Scientific Foundations of Forensic Investigation
Dr. Om Prakash Jasuja, Professor and Head of the Department of Forensic Science at RIMT University, Punjab – formerly with Punjabi University and recognised by the Ministry of Home Affairs – spoke about the foundational role of natural sciences in forensic work.
Why Events Like Pramaan 3.0 Matter for Forensic Science Students
Pramaan 3.0 was not a lecture series – it was a demonstration of where forensic science is heading. Virtual autopsy is being adopted globally as a complement to traditional methods. DNA phenotyping is generating investigative leads in cold cases. These are not future technologies – they are current practices that forensic science graduates need to understand.
For students at Parul University’s Department of Forensic Science, events like Pramaan bring these advances into the classroom through direct engagement with practitioners. The announcement of VAFS-certified virtual autopsy courses at Parul University signals that the curriculum is evolving to include these emerging competencies.
B.Sc. Forensic Science – Parul University
FAQ - Pramaan 3.0 Forensic Fest at Parul University
1. What is Pramaan at Parul University?
Pramaan is the annual forensic science fest organised by the Department of Forensic Science at PIAS!
2. Who spoke at Pramaan 3.0?
Three experts: Samshad Begum Khan (CEO, Vizopsy/VAFS) on virtual autopsy and PMCT, Dr. Ankita Patel (Gujarat University) on predictive forensics and AI, and Dr. Om Prakash Jasuja (RIMT University, recognised by Ministry of Home Affairs) on the scientific foundations of forensic practice.
3. Does Parul University offer forensic science courses?
Parul University offers a 3-year B.Sc. in Forensic Science, a 4-year B.Sc. (Hons.) in Forensic Science (NEP 2020), and a 2-year M.Sc. in Forensic Science.
