About the Conference
ForenSoc ’27 — International Forensic Social Sciences Conference 2027 is an international hybrid academic conference dedicated to the social, legal, psychological, behavioural, institutional, communicative, and human dimensions of forensic sciences. Organized by the Balkan Academy of Forensic Sciences and co-organized by Istanbul Medipol University, the conference will take place on 5–7 February 2027 in Istanbul, Türkiye, and online.
The conference brings together scholars, practitioners, students, and professionals from forensic sciences, social sciences, law, criminology, psychology, sociology, medicine, policing, communication, media studies, child protection, human rights, and related fields.
Through interdisciplinary scientific discussions, oral and poster presentations, invited sessions, panels, and roundtables, ForenSoc ’27 aims to create an academically grounded platform for examining the relationship between forensic sciences, society, justice, institutions, and human behaviour.
Background and Rationale
Forensic sciences have traditionally developed through the contribution of multiple scientific and professional disciplines. While technical evidence, laboratory methods, medical expertise, and expert testimony remain central to forensic practice, contemporary forensic and justice-related contexts increasingly require broader social, legal, psychological, behavioural, and institutional understanding.
Issues such as crime, victimization, trauma, vulnerability, testimony, public trust, professional decision-making, institutional responsibility, media representations, access to justice, digital society, and human rights cannot be examined through technical expertise alone. They require dialogue between forensic sciences and the social sciences, as well as meaningful engagement with law, psychology, criminology, communication, public institutions, and professional practice.
ForenSoc ’27 has been established to provide an international academic platform where these dimensions can be examined collectively. The conference emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary, evidence-informed, and human-centered approaches to forensic and justice-related questions.
Focus on Forensic Social Sciences
ForenSoc ’27 focuses on the social science dimensions of forensic sciences. Rather than limiting forensic discussion to laboratory analysis, medical evaluation, or legal procedure, the conference highlights the broader human, social, institutional, and communicative contexts in which forensic knowledge is produced, interpreted, and used.
The conference is designed to explore how crime, justice, victimization, vulnerability, trauma, protection, rights, institutions, communication, and human behaviour interact within forensic contexts.
This focus makes ForenSoc ’27 a dedicated platform for participants working across areas such as:
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forensic sciences and forensic medicine;
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criminology and criminal justice;
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forensic psychology and trauma studies;
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sociology, social work, and victimology;
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law, rights, and human-centered justice;
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policing, investigation, and institutional practice;
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media, communication, and public perceptions of crime;
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digital society, technology-facilitated harms, and emerging social challenges.
By focusing on forensic social sciences, the conference aims to strengthen interdisciplinary dialogue and contribute to the development of this field as an important area within contemporary forensic sciences.
Scientific and Professional Scope
ForenSoc ’27 integrates academic research with professional practice. It welcomes contributions from researchers, practitioners, institutions, and students working in forensic, legal, social, medical, psychological, criminological, communicative, and justice-related fields.
Key thematic areas include:
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Crime, Behaviour & Justice
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Violence, Vulnerability & Victimization
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Mind, Trauma & Forensic Mental Health
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Society, Institutions & Forensic Realities
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Law, Rights & Human-Centered Justice
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Children, Families & Protection
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Media, Communication & Public Perceptions of Crime
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Digital Society, Technology & Emerging Harms
This multidisciplinary scope ensures that discussions remain academically grounded, socially relevant, professionally meaningful, and internationally connected.
Vision and Future Meetings
ForenSoc ’27 is conceived as a dedicated international platform for the continuing development of forensic social sciences. The conference reflects the broader vision of the Balkan Academy of Forensic Sciences to support interdisciplinary cooperation, scientific exchange, education, and international collaboration across all dimensions of forensic sciences.
The long-term vision of ForenSoc is to contribute to:
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stronger dialogue between forensic sciences and social sciences;
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improved understanding of the human and institutional dimensions of forensic practice;
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greater visibility of forensic social sciences as an interdisciplinary academic field;
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international cooperation among researchers, practitioners, institutions, and professional communities;
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evidence-informed and human-centered approaches to crime, justice, victimization, protection, rights, and public trust.
ForenSoc ’27 aims to establish a strong scientific and professional foundation for future meetings, collaborations, and academic activities in forensic social sciences.