KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF NON HEALTH STUDENTS ABOUT FORENSIC SCIENCE
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Date
2023-07-14
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Abstract
Introduction & Background: In Indonesia, awareness of the importance of forensic science in the law
enforcement process still needs to be improved, and publications based on forensic science in general
still need to be made. So far, people`s knowledge of forensic science is still narrow, with the assumption
that forensic science is only limited to examining bodies to determine the cause of death. Society,
especially college students, needs education about forensic science`s urgency and benefits. College
students are part of the strata of society and have a big role in the social control of society. However,
many students, especially students with non-health majors, need to learn that the department they are
in can be applied to the investigation process. This research was conducted to determine non-health
students` knowledge and perceptions of forensic science, especially at Padjadjaran University.
Material & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive observational study of the knowledge and
perceptions of non-health students was conducted at Padjadjaran University from April to June 2023.
Four hundred twenty-three respondents from the non-health field group of faculties were randomly
included in this study. After agreeing to the informed consent, respondents filled out an online
questionnaire containing questions about knowledge and perceptions about forensic science. The
collected data is presented as a percentage in tables.
Results: In total, there were 7 (1.65%) respondents who had adequate knowledge, 379 (89.60%)
respondents who had moderate knowledge and 37 (8.75%) respondents who had inadequate
knowledge. There were 363 (85.82%) respondents who positively perceived forensic science. However,
23.04% of respondents think that forensic science can only be applied in the medical or health fields.
An average of 51.30% of respondents believe that they have never heard of or studied forensic science
in their lectures and that the major they are studying cannot be applied or even related to forensic
science. Meanwhile, only an average of 13,12% of respondents agreed that forensic science should be
part of the curriculum for all students.
Conclusions and recommendations: Respondents showed slightly inadequate knowledge and positive
perceptions. However, only a few people show adequate knowledge and perceptions. Most of the
respondents needed to show more knowledge and doubt about whether the major that they are taking
can be applied to forensic science. It is suggested that the government improves public knowledge.
Especially among university students, through various activities and programs to explore the potential
for skill development engaged with forensic science, which drives research, innovation, and resource
allocation to improve forensic techniques and technologies from intra-collaborative fields of study.
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Keywords
forensic science, knowledge, perception