Forensic sciences are the voice of those who say, "I didn't do it!"

Prof. Atasoy stated that Üsküdar University continues its pioneering position in the field of forensic sciences in Turkey, adding that the English Forensic Sciences Undergraduate Program, which is preparing to admit its first students, was opened with the goal of producing international scientific output.

"Forensic sciences are a universal branch of science. Wherever you are in the world, the common scientific language is the same. For this reason, we deemed it necessary to open an English program," said Prof. Atasoy. "This year, we have allocated a quota of 30 students for our program and 30 for international students. Our Turkish program has a quota of 80 students."
 

Prof. Sevil Atasoy, Vice Rector of Üsküdar University, Director of the Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, and President of the United Nations (UN) International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), offered advice to young people who will be choosing a university.

"The best way to understand a profession is to describe the life it changes"

Offering advice to candidates during the preference period, Prof. Sevil Atasoy stated that she wanted to explain the human-centric aspect of forensic sciences to young people before they chose a profession, continuing as follows:

"For a fairer world than the one you inherited, for those who say 'I didn't do it,' Forensic Sciences in both English and Turkish… The best way to understand a profession is sometimes to describe a life that profession has changed. Imagine a laboratory. A small box with the date 1986 written on it is taken out of a deep freezer. Inside, four small tubes contain biological samples almost imperceptible to the eye. Those samples have been waiting for exactly 38 years. Because the technology of that era was not advanced enough to reveal the truth. Today's DNA analysis reveals that Peter Sullivan, who has been saying 'I didn't do it' for years, is innocent. This is what forensic sciences are. The essence of forensic sciences is not crime; it is humanity, justice, truth. Sometimes, reaching the truth can take decades." 

"Choosing a profession is deciding which problem you will seek to solve throughout your life"

Prof. Atasoy pointed out that forensic sciences are a field that directly affects human life, stating, "Choosing a profession is not just choosing a diploma. It is deciding which problem you will seek to solve throughout your life. That is, what we call choosing a profession is not just choosing a diploma, but deciding which problem you will seek to solve throughout your life."

"Every morning I look in the mirror and ask, 'What can I change today?'"

Prof. Atasoy stated that the most important source of motivation in her professional life is continuous development, saying, "When you start your professional life, you don't know where the future will take you. But when you set out with the mindset of 'Whatever I do, I will do it in the best possible way' and every morning you look in the mirror and ask, 'What can I change today?', you gain great motivation. I really ask myself this every morning. I definitely change something."

"Forensic sciences are much more than a laboratory"

Prof. Atasoy drew attention to the interdisciplinary structure of forensic sciences, stating, "Forensic sciences are a profession that touches people's lives. Our dream is to leave behind a fairer world than the one we inherited. We work for a justice system where the innocent can be better protected, real criminals can be found, and experts adhere to ethical values. This field is not solely about DNA analysis. There are fingerprints, ballistics, toxicology. But there are also psychology, law, biology, chemistry, physics, genetics, and statistics. No one has the luxury of saying 'I only know this much.'"

"We must think not of today's crimes, but of tomorrow's"

Prof. Atasoy stated that technology also changes the forms of crime, emphasizing that future forensic scientists must be prepared today, saying, "Today's crimes did not exist twenty years ago. Synthetic drugs can spread across five continents in a few weeks. Cybercrimes know no borders. Cryptocurrencies can be used for illegal money laundering. Artificial intelligence is entering every area of life. In twenty years, we will encounter a completely different world. Therefore, we must think not of today's professions and crimes, but of future professions and future crimes."

Addressing families, Prof. Atasoy stated that children's curiosity should be taken into account during the preference period, and continued:

"If a person is curious, they ask questions. If they ask questions, they research. If they research, they produce science and can change the world. Therefore, it is first necessary to understand what the child is truly curious about. It is impossible to succeed in any field that is not pursued with curiosity. In 2017, we opened the first forensic sciences undergraduate program in Turkey under the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. At Üsküdar University, we initially started with forensic sciences master's and doctoral programs, which are successfully continuing. However, an undergraduate program was a very important gap in our country, and naturally, we have accumulated a great deal of knowledge in that area over all these years. This field is a dynamic one. Because crimes change, and as crimes change, you have to change the curriculum. While keeping the core fixed, we continuously update the elective courses and try to offer them to students."

"Artificial intelligence can answer, but it cannot ask the right question"

Prof. Atasoy emphasized that artificial intelligence is an important auxiliary tool in forensic sciences but cannot replace humans, stating, "Artificial intelligence can compare fingerprints, analyze bloodstains, interpret reports. But there is a question it cannot ask; 'What is missing here? What did we overlook?' Only humans can ask this. Artificial intelligence can only think as much as the information loaded into its memory. But humans can generate brand new questions. That's why there will always be a need for humans who think critically in forensic sciences."

English Forensic Sciences Program opens with international goals

Prof. Atasoy stated that Üsküdar University continues its pioneering position in the field of forensic sciences in Turkey, adding that the English Forensic Sciences Undergraduate Program was also opened with the goal of producing international scientific output.

"Forensic sciences are a universal branch of science. Wherever you are in the world, the common scientific language is the same. For this reason, we deemed it necessary to open an English program. Our aim is not only to teach English; but also to enable our students to participate in international projects and produce science with their colleagues in different countries around the world," said Prof. Atasoy. "We work in small groups for laboratory applications. This year, for the first time, when forming crime scene investigation teams, we will also take personality traits into account. Because a good team is built not only with knowledge but also with harmony."

Emphasizing that the language of scientific publications in forensic sciences is English, Prof. Atasoy said, "The primary publication language, that is, the scientific language of this field, is English. That's why we said the time has come. Utilizing the knowledge we have accumulated since 2017 and with our very strong academic staff, all of whom are forensic experts with field experience, we are launching the English Forensic Sciences Undergraduate Program. This year, we have allocated a quota of 30 students for our program and 30 for international students. Our Turkish program has a quota of 80 students."

"There are no fixed working hours in this profession"

Prof. Atasoy, who defined forensic sciences as not an ordinary desk job that can be maintained within specific working hours, and described the work environment as "a living office," said, "I don't like the term 'executive office.' My office is a living office with its books, belongings, awards, and memories. This profession is also like that; it's not just a place you come and go to work. Sometimes your work lasts until 9, 10, 11, or even 12 at night. Some devices cannot be turned off overnight; you have to continue the analysis and cannot go home. In this profession, there is no such thing as 'I'll leave at 5 and come back at 9.'"

Prof. Atasoy stated that she explains this reality to her students and young colleagues from the beginning, saying, "I always tell them, 'This will be your future; if you can do it, continue.' Because there are no fixed working hours here. You also don't have the chance to say 'I like this, I don't like that.' You will eat together, work together, and have to get along. You cannot do anything alone. Even if you don't get along very well personally, you need to find common ground to produce work. Forensic sciences are a way of life, a culture, and teamwork."

"Üsküdar University showed courage"

Prof. Atasoy stated that very important work has been carried out in the field of forensic sciences under the umbrella of Üsküdar University, saying, "Prof. Nevzat Tarhan is a person at this university who understands what I say, encourages me, and says 'We can do it.' He was not afraid and made millions of investments in laboratories when there was nothing yet. It is almost impossible to acquire the equipment bought ten years ago under the same conditions today. A very strong infrastructure has been established at Üsküdar University. Therefore, his contributions to the field of forensic sciences are invaluable and unforgettable."

"The next step could be an undergraduate criminal justice program"

Prof. Atasoy stated that forensic sciences and criminal justice are two complementary fields, and that opening an Undergraduate Criminal Justice Program at Üsküdar University in the future is an important goal. Prof. Atasoy said, "Forensic sciences is primarily a science-heavy field. Criminal justice, on the other hand, is a sister discipline with a stronger social science aspect. Turkey needs trained human resources in both forensic sciences and criminal justice. Therefore, I believe the next step should be an undergraduate criminal justice program."

Graduates work in very different fields

Prof. Atasoy also touched upon the employment areas of forensic science graduates, stating that graduates can work in many different institutions such as police criminal laboratories, gendarmerie, the Council of Forensic Medicine, universities, private laboratories, and law offices.

Prof. Atasoy stated that young people who want to pursue a career in forensic sciences must be entrepreneurial and productive, saying, "Here, the bread is not in the lion's mouth. On the contrary, there are such great deficiencies and gaps that young people can create their own fields of work. However, no one waits around saying, 'Let a forensic scientist come and help us.' Graduates need to explain how much difference they can make."

"The country also needs forensic science academics"

Emphasizing that forensic science graduates should pursue not only fieldwork but also academic careers, Prof. Atasoy said, "This country needs academics who have completed an undergraduate degree in forensic sciences, followed by master's and doctoral degrees. These cadres need to be trained. Academic development is possible not only in Turkey but everywhere in the world."

Stating that students show great interest in the field, Prof. Atasoy concluded her words as follows:

"I have almost never seen a graduate come to us and say, 'Find me a job.' On the other hand, there are many people who say, 'Let me stand by you, be your assistant, come for an internship.' Because forensic sciences are a highly multidisciplinary field. Whether you are interested in natural sciences or social sciences, you can definitely find a field of study for yourself here."