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 Dear friends and colleagues;         

The EIGHTH of the ‘Forensic Sciences Congresses’ that are co-organized by the Association of Forensic Medicine Specialists and Departments of Forensic Medicine in Turkey is to be  held in Kocaeli. This will be a joint venture between The Association of Forensic Medicine Specialists , the Department of Forensic Sciences of the  Medical Faculty of Kocaeli University  and the Forensic Medicine Section of  the University of Edinburgh, Scotland,  U K. THE CONGRESS WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 15-18 MAY 2008 [inclusive].

We believe that the co-operation of the University of Edinburgh will contribute significantly to the international standing and the scientific content of our Congress.  In this respect, we also have the greatest pleasure and honour in welcoming to this Congress Prof. Dr. Anthony Busuttil [who will undertake the Co-Presidency], and Prof. Dr. Eric Baccino, Prof. Ali Chadly, Dr. Jean Keeling, Prof. Dr. Robert Minns, Prof. Dr. Pekka Saukko, Prof. Duarte Nuno Viera, as well as many other well respected scientists in the forensic medical field from Turkey. Our congress is also supported scientifically by IALM, ECLM and UNICEF.          

‘Children and Forensic Medicine’ has been selected as the subheading of the Congress as we wish to bring together in it Forensic Medicine Specialists, Jurists, Psychologists, Criminologists, Social Services Officers and Clinical Forensic Medicine workers from various other disciplines, whose work brings them into contact with children. Recent scientific developments in the fields of legal medicine and forensic sciences, recent changes in the local legal framework and the problems faced in practice by those working in this field will be dealt with in the parallel sessions of the Congress with the participation of the invited external experts on various topics. In addition, the oral and poster presentations at the Congress will cover more generally recent original research work and other studies in this specialist forensic field and field and thus will add a further dimension to the scientific diversity of the Congress.         

The principal aim of the 8th Edition of the Forensic Sciences Congress is to enable experts in medical, scientific and legal specialities that interact regularly with children in the criminal justice system, to come together. Their joint commitment will be to ensure that all potential crimes involving children are thoroughly investigated and do not go undetected; this scope will be matched with ensuring that children surviving such crimes, and their families, receive the best possible assistance from the medical and social welfare agencies, thus enabling them to come to terms with their experience and to prosper thereafter. Alongside those involved in Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences, the scientific and friendly atmosphere that we striving for in this Congress should serve as a catalyst by which any potential problems that may be encountered in actual practice are aired, and the optimal solutions for them found. Various paediatric medicolegal matters will be dealt with thoroughly. The full participation and professional co-operation of  UNICEF, the TTB (Turkish Medical Association), the TBB (Turkish Bar Association) and other speciality associations, as well as the Ministry of  Justice, Ministry of Health, SHÇEK (Institution of Social Services and Children’s Protection), General Directorates of the Gendarme and the Police should ensure the laying down of future sound and comprehensive protocols, and standard operating procedures      

We most heartily and sincerely invite you to Kocaeli on the dates of 15-18 May 2008, not least in order to share and watch together with us all the vibrant colours of Spring in Umuttepe and the forests of Kartepe, and the panoramic views of Lake Sapanca and the Gulf of İzmit as are spectacularly displayed in the sunsets of May.

                                  Dr.Ümit Biçer

          On Behalf of Congress Organising Committee