What Is the Forensic Physics Laboratory? / What Is Its Purpose?
The Forensic Physics Laboratory at Üsküdar University is a modern center that provides practical training in the analysis of physical evidence obtained from crime scenes, the reconstruction of incidents based on the laws of physics, and criminological investigations.
- Primary Purpose: To provide students with hands-on training in scientific methods used to analyze vehicle accidents, firearm-related injuries, forgery, and various physical traces such as footprints and vehicle marks.
- Academic Contribution: The laboratory develops students' ability to apply sub-disciplines of physics, such as mechanics, optics, ballistics, and materials science, to forensic cases and to prepare technical and objective reports that may serve as evidence in court.
Equipment and Technical Facilities Available in the Laboratory
The laboratory infrastructure is equipped to conduct analyses ranging from microscopic physical traces to large-scale crime scene reconstructions. The key features and technical equipment are listed below:
- Comparison and Examination Microscopes: Used to optically compare two different pieces of evidence, such as two different bullet projectiles or handwriting characteristics, side by side at the microscopic level.
- Ultraviolet (UV) and Infrared (IR) Light Sources: Used to detect alterations, erasures, abrasions, and hidden physical or biological traces that are not visible to the naked eye on documents.
- Measurement and Calibration Instruments (Calipers and Micrometers): Used for highly precise measurement of deformed evidence, bullet projectile diameters, and physical distances at crime scenes.
- Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA): Used to reveal invisible indentations and writing impressions transferred onto underlying sheets of paper or similar surfaces through electrostatic methods.
- Impression Casting and Photography Kits: Equipment used to create casts of footprints, tire marks, and vehicle impact marks and to photograph them to forensic standards with appropriate scales.
Research and Practical Application Areas
The practical courses and scientific research conducted in the laboratory cover some of the most critical physical examination areas in forensic criminology.
- Ballistics and Gunshot Residue Analysis: Examination of the mechanical operation of firearms, analysis of rifling marks on bullet projectiles and cartridge cases, and physical calculation of firing distance and direction.
- Document and Forgery Examination: Optical analysis of alterations made to passports, currency, signatures, and valuable documents, as well as examination of ink aging and handwriting characteristics.
- Crime Scene Reconstruction and Accident Analysis: Mathematical reconstruction of traffic accidents or fall/ejection incidents using physical parameters such as velocity, momentum transfer, and coefficient of friction.
- Toolmark and Macro-Trace Examination: Morphological comparison of micro- and macro-level marks left by cutting, piercing, or forceful tools used in crimes, such as crowbars and screwdrivers.
Benefits to Students and the Industry
The Forensic Physics Laboratory prepares students for the professional sector by training them as prospective criminologists and forensic specialists before graduation.
- Analytical Thinking and Objectivity: Students develop the discipline of analyzing evidence based on the laws of physics and objective measurements rather than subjective interpretations.
- Broad Employment Opportunities: Graduates who develop competencies in this laboratory can become qualified professionals sought after by Police Criminal Laboratories, the Gendarmerie Criminal Department, the Council of Forensic Medicine, claims and accident analysis departments of insurance companies, and private forensic examination offices.
