Analysis of Employee’s Longevity and Academic Development in Forensic Science Laboratory

Abstract

This paper presents the detailed analysis of academic development index and longevity among forensic science laboratory (FSL) employees as the key factors for improving organizational performance based on human capital development. The data were collected from human resource database involving 171 (88%) employees out of 195. New mathematical formulations were developed for academic development index Ad, a measure of the time delay in academic development while working within FSL, simple longevity (Ls) and complex longevity (Lc), based on years served and academic certificates attained. The values of Ad, Ls and Lc were compared for different units and departments including zonal laboratories between Y2014 and Y2016. Both total and average values of Ls, Lc and Ad indicated an imbalance in the distribution of staff in different laboratories, necessitating re-allocation to improve performance. The employment trend analysis shows that the work force has been diversified from Y2004 to Y2016 leading to improved management of finance, procurement and human resource in the FSL. As a result of a training program, the percent of staff with MSc has been increasing from about 3.5% in Y2004 to 9% in Y2015. The average values of longevity and academic development index were observed to be the better parameters for comparing laboratories or units than the total values. Results show a balanced staff distribution based on Lc and Ad is inevitable for improved performance. It was concluded that the new indices (Ad and Lc) are important tools for describing the development of the workforce and competitiveness of the FSL.