About the Organizer -
Balkan Academy of Forensic Sciences (BAFS)
What is BAFS?
The Balkan Academy of Forensic Sciences (BAFS) is an international scientific and professional organization dedicated to the advancement of forensic sciences across the Balkan region and beyond.
BAFS serves as a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration among forensic scientists, forensic medicine specialists, legal professionals, researchers, academics, institutions, and professionals from related scientific and justice-oriented fields.
The Academy addresses scientific, educational, and professional matters related to forensic sciences at an international level, with a commitment to promoting research, strengthening professional standards, encouraging education, and supporting meaningful cooperation across disciplines and borders.
Foundation & History
BAFS was founded in Istanbul, Türkiye, in 2003 by an international group of forensic science scholars who recognized the need for a dedicated regional platform connecting forensic science communities across the Balkans and neighbouring countries.
Since its first meeting in Istanbul, BAFS has grown into a respected international academic and professional platform with members, partners, and collaborators from Europe and the wider international community.
Through its annual scientific meetings, thematic events, working groups, training activities, and international collaborations, BAFS has continued to support the development of forensic sciences in both regional and global contexts.
Mission & Vision
Mission: To continuously improve and advance forensic sciences through education, research, scientific exchange, professional cooperation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
BAFS aims to support new generations of forensic scientists and professionals in their search for truth through science, while encouraging innovation, academic dialogue, and responsible scientific practice.
Vision: To promote education and research in forensic sciences, encourage scholarly inquiry, improve professional practice, strengthen international cooperation, and contribute to the advancement of forensic sciences at regional and international levels.
BAFS supports a broad understanding of forensic sciences that includes technical, medical, legal, social, behavioural, institutional, and human-centered dimensions.
BAFS & ForenSoc ’27
ForenSoc ’27 — International Forensic Social Sciences Conference 2027 is a new thematic initiative organized by the Balkan Academy of Forensic Sciences and co-organized by Istanbul Medipol University.
While the annual BAFS scientific meetings address the full spectrum of forensic sciences, ForenSoc ’27 creates a dedicated international platform for the social, legal, psychological, behavioural, institutional, communicative, and human dimensions of forensic sciences.
By organizing ForenSoc ’27, BAFS expands its interdisciplinary mission into one of the most important developing areas of contemporary forensic sciences: the relationship between forensic knowledge, society, justice, institutions, communication, and human behaviour.
The conference reflects BAFS’s commitment to scientific exchange, education, international cooperation, and multidisciplinary dialogue. It brings together participants from forensic sciences, social sciences, law, criminology, psychology, sociology, medicine, policing, communication, media studies, child protection, human rights, digital society, and related fields.
For more information about BAFS, its membership, working groups, and past activities,
please visit www.balkanacademy.org