Tarun and Anil Aggrawal's Forensic Programming Page

Hi, I am Anil Aggrawal, Professor of Forensic Medicine at the Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. I am a lover of information and knowledge. "Knowledge is power", said Thomas Hobbes. It appears if he hadn't said it, I would have. Forensic Medicine is just one of the several subjects I love. Of course it occupies my main attention because it is my profession.

I have always felt forensic professionals are very creative people. They have always wanted to do new things. Over the years they have been asking me over and over again, how they can make their own forensic pages. I made my first page, sometime in 1996, and have mostly been self-taught, through books, other web pages, discussions with friends and the like. But never in my life have I taken regular classes from a professional programmer. Lately a brilliant teacher has come in my life - my son Tarun.

My Family

You may want to skip this sub-heading. I wrote it mainly to please myself! But if you are curious about what these pictures are doing in a page on forensic programming, you may want to read on. I did not find these pictures abnormal at all, till Tarun asked me this question. I felt then, that this question needed to be addressed. A bit about my family first, without whose active support, these pages would not have been possible at all. The top row shows me and my wife Marygold just after marriage - sometime around 25 March 1983 (I got married on 16 March 1983). This picture was taken during our honeymoon in Mussourie and Dehradoon. The second picture was taken almost 19 years later - on 25 December 2001, when we visited our brother-in-law Sanjay Gupta in California. Among other things, it shows the inexorable stamp of time.

The bottom row shows my son Tarun. He was born on 20 December 1984. The first picture was taken sometime in 1988, during our visit to Kausani, a lovely hill station in North India (it is now known mainly because the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi visited it once and praised this place). The second during 1996 during my visit to USA as a WHO fellow. He is trying threading his hand through the vertebra of a whale in a Washington D.C. Aquarium. Over the years he has grown into an intelligent and loving child. He is the one who is responsible for whatever I know about programming.

But why the pictures? These show the two people I love most in my life (besides my mother, my two brothers and their families of course!). And it was mainly because of these two people that I could do whatever little I have been able to. If I could explore new vistas of knowledge, it was because my wife looked after me with great loving care. While she was looking after all my personal worries, I was busy learning new things. My child taught me programming like a great teacher. Hence their pictures. I would have known no programming at all without these two people in my life.

Why these pages on Programming?

Over the years forensic professionals from all over the world have asked me questions about the basics of computers and internet. They have asked how they could make their own web pages; how could they write their own programs to store and manipulate data (such as post-mortem data, clinical forensic medicine data and so on), and I have been answering them through Emails. Finally I decided I shall make a website which will say something about computers, internet and above all programming.

No familiarity with programming is assumed from readers. They don't even have to know much about computers. The only thing they must have is a computer and the releveant program (say C++ compiler for C++, or Netscape or Internet Explorer for HTML). And they must know how to type! Programs can often be long, and it helps if you can type fast. No need to worry though if you don't know typing. Just copy and paste the programs in your compiler. Of course if you type out the program yourself, you learn faster. In this site, I hope to include simple lessons in HTML, DHTML, C++, Javascript, Perl, CGI, and whatever little I know of other programming languages.

Are these pages relevant to Non-Forensic people too?

Yes! Although these pages are meant specially for forensic professionals (I will be addressing their problems mainly), even non-forensic people can enjoy these pages. This is because the basic programming principles remain the same.

I shall begin with C++, and then go on to other languages. You can go through lessons in order, test the various exercises in your computer and if there are any queries, you can always write Email to ask me.

Books on Computers/Internet/Programming

Although this site would initiate you into the world of computers, internet and programming, you can't learn everything there is to learn through these pages only. Very soon, you will begin to feel the need of proper books on these subjects. One of our main aims is to provide readers of these pages with information on latest books on computers, programming and internet in the form of book reviews. Readers may read the reviews of latest books and decide, which ones they would like to buy.

A Lucrative Career in Forensic Programming

Is there a career in Forensic Programming? Certainly. This specialty has skipped the attention of most professionals till now. But now more and more forensic and computer professionals are becoming aware of this specialty. To know more about careers in forensic programming and in other forensic fields, you may want to go to the forensic careers page.

You may also want to go through the various books we keep suggesting on this site from time to time. It would help you get an insight into the world of computers, internet and programming, and you might be able to apply this knowledge to forensic fields effectively. From time to time, we also suggest other teaching aids such as multimedia, CDs, DVDs, Video and audio tapes. Look out for various announcements on these pages for these products.

Enter

What is an electronic journal?

An electronic journal is a scholarly publication made available exclusively in digital format, accessible via the Internet. Unlike traditional print journals, it leverages the flexibility and speed of the web, allowing for immediate global dissemination, interactive content, and multimedia integration.
Why is your journal titled Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology? Wouldn’t a simpler title, such as Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, be more appropriate?

The journal bears my name to clearly identify the editorial leadership and maintain accountability for content quality. This practice ensures transparency and reflects the personal commitment behind the journal’s establishment and ongoing standards. It is a deliberate choice to build trust and credibility in an era of proliferating online publications.
But isn't it somewhat unusual for a journal to be named after its editor?

Indeed, it is unconventional. However, the name reflects the pioneering nature of this project—an initiative deeply driven by a single individual’s expertise and passion for forensic sciences. It symbolizes responsibility and personal stewardship over the journal’s integrity and quality.
What is the frequency of publication of this journal?

The journal publishes biannually, issuing two comprehensive editions per year, each presenting the latest advances and research in forensic medicine and toxicology.
How many electronic journals currently exist on the internet?

There are numerous electronic journals available online—approximately a dozen that I have personally accessed and linked on our homepage. However, Anil Aggrawal’s Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology remains a pioneering publication as India’s first true electronic journal across all disciplines and the world’s inaugural electronic journal dedicated to forensic medicine. This landmark journal was launched on February 25, 2000.
Are the papers published in this journal peer-reviewed? Who are the editors?

Yes. All submissions undergo a rigorous peer-review process before publication. The journal is guided by an International Board of Editors, comprising at least two subject-matter experts from each continent. For a full list of editors and their affiliations, please refer to the International Board of Editors page on our website.
Can I cite articles from this journal in my book or academic papers? If so, how?

Absolutely. Citing electronic journal articles is now standard academic practice. You are encouraged to reference our papers in your scholarly work. Detailed citation guidelines are available on the Instructions for Authors page.
Do electronic journals simply act as repositories for papers rejected by traditional print journals?

Not at all. The academic landscape has evolved significantly. Electronic journals are now widely respected, and many researchers specifically choose to submit to them. All papers published in this journal have been written and submitted exclusively for consideration here. Moreover, our journal has a distinct editorial scope and mission that sets it apart from conventional print journals. As outlined on our Home page, we embrace the unique capabilities of digital publishing—such as multimedia integration and broader accessibility—making it a purposeful and independent platform, not a fallback option.