Forensic experts from 40 countries to gather in Türkiye

Forensic medicine and forensic science experts from 40 countries will gather in Türkiye’s Mediterranean resort city of Antalya next week for an international congress focusing on emerging challenges in the field, including addiction, artificial intelligence, and digital evidence.

The 21st International Forensic Medicine Days Congress, organized by Türkiye’s Council of Forensic Medicine, will be held on Sept. 21-27 at the Justice Organization Strengthening Foundation facilities.

Experts, academics, members of the judiciary, senior public officials, and representatives of international organizations from Türkiye and 40 other countries are expected to attend the event.

The congress will address a wide range of issues, including artificial intelligence in forensic sciences, digital evidence, and digital forensics, deepfake technologies, new psychoactive substances and the fight against drugs, forensic DNA, and next-generation sequencing technologies.

Other topics include identification in mass disasters, human rights, medical malpractice, disability assessments, traffic accidents and autonomous vehicles, forensic psychiatry, forensic assessment of children, forensic pathology, forensic radiology, virtual autopsy, quality and standardization, and international cooperation.

Hizir Asliyuksek, head of the Council of Forensic Medicine, told Anadolu that the institution has provided expert services in Türkiye for nearly two centuries and has operated under the Justice Ministry since 1917.

Asliyuksek said the main theme of this year’s congress was designated as “Addiction and Expert Testimony in the World,” noting the growing importance of forensic institutions in efforts to combat drug-related crimes.

The seven-day congress will feature 28 sessions and bring together 127 Turkish and 48 international speakers, he said.

“Leading forensic medicine and forensic science experts from our country and around the world will meet in Antalya,” Asliyuksek said.

He added that 125 panelists will discuss the latest developments in the field, allowing young forensic specialists and medical residents in Türkiye to engage directly with international experts.

Asliyuksek described the gathering as the largest congress hosted by Türkiye to date in the fields of forensic medicine and forensic sciences.

Participants will come from five continents -- Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Americas -- with 831 people registered so far, he said.

Representatives of Türkiye’s higher courts, universities, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK), the Health Ministry, police, and gendarmerie forensic units, as well as other institutions, are also expected to participate.

Anadolu will serve as the communications sponsor of the congress and provide coverage of the event in 13 languages.