In the Department of Criminalistics, our postgraduate students enrolled in the Master’s and Doctoral programs in Criminalistics continue their academic development by witnessing the process through which evidence obtained from crime scenes, possessing potential evidentiary value, transforms into admissible evidence recognized by the court through the application of laboratory methods. Our curriculum includes courses such as Crime Scene Investigation, Evidence and Expertise, Forensic Medicine, Forensic Autopsy, Analytical Methods in Criminalistics, Expertise Applications, Forensic Psychiatry, Child Abuse and Neglect, Explosives, Ballistics, and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) in our program.

Academic Staff:

  • Prof. Dr. Nergis CANTÜRK (Head of Department)

Our teaching members:

  • Prof. Dr. Gürol CANTÜRK
  • Prof. Dr. Gökhan İbrahim ÖĞÜNÇ
  • Prof. Dr. Ercan SEYHAN
  • Prof. Dr. Aybüke TURAN

Training in the field of forensic biology, spanning from forensic biology to forensic entomology, forensic entomotoxicology to forensic procedures, molecular biology and genetics to biological and bacteriological examinations of food substances, is provided within the discipline of forensic biology. In this department where the mysteries are illuminated through crime scene investigation and forensic toxicological research, future forensic biology experts are being nurtured. Our students, under the guidance of experienced faculty members in the fields of forensic molecular genetics, forensic entomology, and forensic biology, acquire a forensic scientist’s perspective through hands-on experiences in laboratories, fostering a capacity for observation, experimentation, and critical inquiry.

Academic Staff:

  • Assoc. Dr. Halide Nihal AÇIKGÖZ (Head of Department)
  • Assoc. Dr. Dilek KAYA AKYÜZLÜ

The Department of Forensic Genetics conducts postgraduate education and teaching activities. Our curriculum encompasses courses such as Basic Medical Genetics, Forensic Genetic Analyses, Challenging Cases in Forensic Genetics, DNA Database, and Forensic Medicine. Throughout their academic development, students engage in the identification of various biological samples/evidence (e.g., cells, paraffin-embedded tissues, blood, urine, sperm, hair, bones, hair, saliva, and oral swabs) in criminal, inheritance, and family law cases. They acquire knowledge and skills in interpreting results related to identity verification, pedigree determination, and the detection of other kinship relationships. Graduates from our program possess the capability to serve as experts in Forensic Genetics, conduct research, generate new projects, and collaborate with different disciplines.

Our teaching members:

  • Prof. Dr. N. Lale ŞATIROĞLU TUFAN  (Head of Department)

The term forensic psychology was initially coined in 1953 in the United Kingdom, although the association between psychology and the functioning of the legal process began earlier. In European countries and the United States, forensic psychology is defined as a subfield of applied psychology that utilizes the knowledge and skills of psychology in the collection, assessment, and presentation of evidence in the service of the judiciary. More broadly, forensic psychology is an advanced specialization aimed at the application of theoretical and practical knowledge of psychology in the administration of laws and the attainment of justice. Similarly, it is recognized as a subfield directed towards defining criminal behavior, identifying the characteristics of individuals engaged in criminal behavior, and determining factors influencing the emergence of such behavior. Forensic Psychology involves the application of knowledge derived from general psychology to legal events.

The program’s objective is to continue educational activities with the aim of providing psychological services to parties involved in legal processes, supporting the protection of their rights, and training personnel capable of utilizing psychological knowledge in the resolution of forensic cases and conducting forensic psychological assessments.

History:
Under the decision of the Higher Education Council (YÖK) dated February 8, 1983, the Department of Social Sciences, Department of Medical Sciences, and Department of Natural Sciences were established under the Institute of Forensic Medicine. During the meeting of the Higher Education General Assembly on July 1, 2010, the sub-disciplines of “Natural Sciences,” “Medical Sciences,” and “Social Sciences” within the Institute of Forensic Medicine were closed. In their place, the Department of “Forensic Biology,” “Forensic Genetics,” “Forensic Toxicology,” and “Criminalistics” were established, along with the creation of the “Forensic Psychology” Department. The chairmanship of the Department of Social Sciences and the Department of Forensic Psychology was successively held by Prof. Dr. Yıldız KUZGUN (Date of Assignment May 30, 1988), Prof. Dr. Sema KANER (Date of Assignment February 27, 1997), Prof. Dr. Hatice Gülsen ERDEN (Date of Assignment December 5, 2005), Prof. Dr. Yıldırım Beyatlı DOĞAN (Date of Assignment October 21, 2013), and Prof. Dr. Hatice Gülsen ERDEN (Date of Assignment October 21, 2016). Currently, this role is held by Prof. Dr. Gülbahar BAŞTUĞ (Date of Assignment July 26, 2022).

Our teaching members:

  • Prof. Dr. Gülbahar BAŞTUĞ (Head of Department)
  • Prof. Dr. Şennur TUTAREL KIŞLAK
  • Prof. Dr. Hatice DEMİRBAŞ (Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi Psikoloji Bölümü)
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatma YILDIRIM
  • Assist. Prof. Dr. Özgür GÜLDÜ
  • Assist. Prof. Dr. Üyesi Belgin ÜSTÜN GÜLLÜ (Düzce Üniversitesi Psikoloji Bölümü)
  • Assist. Prof. Dr. Üyesi Fatma UÇAR BOYRAZ

Forensic Chemistry and Forensic Toxicology involve the application of toxicology and chemistry to the legal domain. Its primary objective is to detect the presence of toxins, including alcohol and illicit substances, in biological samples. The analysis of explosive materials and gunshot residue also falls within the practical applications of forensic chemistry. This program aims to situate the theory of forensic toxicology within the context of various case types, including crimes, workplace substance testing, doping, and death investigations. Through postgraduate research and educational activities, the program seeks to train experts who can assist in the identification of chemical substances in poisoning cases resulting in death or serious injury, and interpret dose-response relationships, contributing to the field of Forensic Sciences. Routine analysis services are also provided to stakeholders as part of this program.

The objectives of the program are to educate competent professionals with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology, establish a scientific foundation in this field, conduct research, and generate projects.

Students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge about the processes related to providing high-quality forensic toxicology evidence, from case strategy to the supervision chain, preparation of biological samples, and advanced instrumental analysis to the interpretation and reporting of evidence. Graduates of the program will possess the competence to serve as experts in Forensic Chemistry and Forensic Toxicology, conduct research, generate new projects, formulate ideas about the results, participate in interdisciplinary collaborations, and find solutions to problems encountered in studies related to the field.

Academic Staff:

  • Prof. Nebile DAĞLIOĞLU (Head of the Department)
  • Assoc. Prof. Mehmet GÜMÜŞTAŞ
  • Asst. Prof. İsmail Ethem GÖREN
  • Lect. Dr. Asli ATASOY AYDIN
  • Lect. Dr. Asena AVCI AKCAN
  • Res. Assist. Dr. Kenan Can TOK