The 2nd National Conference on Forensic Sciences, organized in collaboration with Istanbul Medeniyet University, IMU Genoteam, and IMU Psychology and Law Workshop Communities, provided an opportunity to discuss how various disciplines such as biotechnology, law, and human behaviour come together in judicial processes and current approaches in this field. The conference, held on March 15, 2025 at the IMÜ North Campus, Block B Red Hall, examined in depth how scientific data can be integrated into the justice system with the contributions of academics, experts in their fields.
The multidisciplinary conference was held in 5 sessions where the effects of disciplines such as genetic technologies, molecular biology and psychology on judicial processes were discussed. In each session, important issues such as the reliability of biological evidence obtained from crime scenes, the role of psychology in understanding criminal behaviour, and the use of genetics analysis in crime detection were addressed at the intersection of these basic fields. The speakers also discussed the changing boundaries of law in the face of these scientific developments and the ethical responsibilities of scientific data.
First, Bioengineer Ebrar İlknur Arvas provided information about the use of genetic analysis as forensic evidence in her presentation titled “Forensic Genetics and Criminal Investigation: Current Approaches and Applications”. Arvas shared important information about the history of forensic genetics, the use of STR and SNP technologies, and how to evaluate forensic DNA reports. Then, Dr. Lecturer İlksen Sarı O’s presentation titled “New Approaches in Genetic Identification” shed light on the contributions of facial shape analysis from genetic codes in perpetrator or victim identification.
In another remarkable session of the conference, Prof. Dr. Aylin Yalçın Sarıbey addressed the subject of “Forensic Ballistics” and explained the role of ballistic data in forensic processes with visual examples. In her presentation titled “Violence Against Women in Forensic Medicine Practices: Creating Professional Awareness”, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Birgül Tüzün addressed the importance of creating professional awareness on the subject by addressing violence against women in a multifaceted manner.
In the last session of the conference, Clin. Psk. Dr. Setenay Koç, in her speech titled “Relationship between Forensic Sciences and Psychology-Responsibilities of Psychologists”, presented examples from her own case experiences regarding the effects of forensic psychology on the nature of crime and the justice system. Koç’s presentation conveyed to the participants in an interactive manner how psychology plays a critical role in judicial processes.
The conference, which saw intense participation, provided a valuable opportunity for participants to share information by increasing academic and professional interaction by bringing together experts from different fields. At the end of the event, a knowledge contest was held and gifts were presented to the participants who won the contest.
GALLERY
