From February 13 to 17, 2023, the 75th Conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) took place, which was held in the United States of America in Orlando, in which Nataliia Nestor, Deputy of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, took part for the first time in the history of Ukraine.
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) is a global interdisciplinary community that provides collaborative research, and quality training, and is a recognized global leader in the development of forensic science. Each year in February, there is an AAFS scientific meeting that brings together about 5000 world-renowned professionals to present the latest information, research and updates in the fields of forensic sciences. The conference accumulates more than 900 presented scientific works, seminars, workshops and other special sessions.
In addition, the conference presented about 150 exhibition stands of the world’s leaders in forensic equipment and auxiliary materials, which today demonstrate advanced technologies and services in the field of forensic sciences.
The conference was attended by representatives from more than 50 countries and representatives from all 50 United States.
Nataliia Nestor, Deputy Director of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, for the first time in the history of the conference became the only representative from Ukraine and took part in the conference. Nataliia Nestor presented a report on the topic “Challenges of forensic institutions of Ukraine in the aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine”. During her speech, Nataliia Nestor noted that currently forensic experts are doing a very important job, recording and establishing evidence of crimes of russian aggression. Forensic experts during the year of the war have accumulated tremendous experience, which today no other country has in terms of the number of examinations carried out. However, quite often in the work of forensic experts, there are difficulties that can be overcome only by combining the efforts of the entire community of forensic experts at different continental levels. Nataliia Nestor, Deputy Director of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, made presentations and reports three times during the conference.
It should be noted that Ukraine is represented for the first time at such a highly expert and scientific event. On this occasion, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences at the solemn event presented Nataliia Nestor with sunflower flowers as a symbol of Ukraine, as a symbol of love for the Motherland. The sun for the sunflower is the only landmark, and for man the Motherland, the only value given by God, which we are now forced to conquer from the enemy, unfortunately.
In addition, Nataliia Nestor participated in special sessions in the Symposium of the Resource Center for Humanitarian Affairs and Human Rights (HHRRC): The current global scope of human rights investigations, the Research Symposium of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) of the US Department of Justice, sections on jurisprudence and other relevant thematic sections related to the field of forensic sciences.
Nataliia Nestor also held several official meetings with prosecutors, judges, lawyers, experts, and scholars from various U.S. public, private, and academic institutions.
The annual AAFS conference is one of the largest meetings of forensic scientists in the United States and in the world, bringing together participants from the world’s leading expert laboratories to discuss the achievements and prospects for the development of forensic sciences.
