Antalya: Forensic medicine and forensic science experts from 40 countries are set to gather in Trkiye's Mediterranean resort city of Antalya next week for an international congress focused on emerging challenges in the field, including addiction, artificial intelligence, and digital evidence. The 21st International Forensic Medicine Days Congress, organized by Trkiye's Council of Forensic Medicine, will take place from September 21 to 27 at the Justice Organization Strengthening Foundation facilities.
According to Anadolu Agency, the event will host experts, academics, members of the judiciary, senior public officials, and representatives of international organizations from Trkiye and 40 other countries. The congress aims to address a variety of topics, including artificial intelligence in forensic sciences, digital evidence, deepfake technologies, new psychoactive substances, forensic DNA, and next-generation sequencing technologies.
Additional subjects to be discussed 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, noted that the institution has been providing expert services in Trkiye for nearly two centuries and has operated under the Justice Ministry since 1917. Asliyuksek highlighted that this year's congress theme is 'Addiction and Expert Testimony in the World,' emphasizing the growing importance of forensic institutions in combating drug-related crimes.
The congress will feature 28 sessions with 127 Turkish and 48 international speakers. Asliyuksek remarked, "Leading forensic medicine and forensic science experts from our country and around the world will meet in Antalya." He added that 125 panelists will discuss the latest developments, offering young forensic specialists and medical residents in Trkiye the opportunity to engage directly with international experts.
Asliyuksek described the event as the largest congress hosted by Trkiye to date in the fields of forensic medicine and forensic sciences. Participants from five continents-Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Americas-are expected, with 831 individuals registered so far. Representatives from Trkiye's higher courts, universities, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Trkiye (TUBITAK), the Health Ministry, police, and gendarmerie forensic units, among other institutions, will also participate.
Anadolu Agency will serve as the communications sponsor of the congress, providing coverage of the event in 13 languages.