Distinguished speakers highlighted current developments and international research in forensic science, crime scene investigation, and law during their keynote talks during the three-day conference. With the intention of enhancing knowledge and motivating the experts and students present, these talks offered insightful perspectives about various forensic science domains.
Highlights of the keynote speakers and their key themes discussed during their talks.
Dr. Henry C. Lee delivered the talk on New Concepts in Criminal Investigation. His talk focused on how modern law enforcement has improved crime solving by using advanced forensic techniques and standardized procedures. He also highlighted how by using technologies like GPS tracking, cell phone monitoring, video analysis, and innovative DNA techniques, investigators can efficiently analyze evidence, thereby increasing their ability to solve cases and reconstruct events.
Hon. Susan A. Yap delivered the talk on World War II Forensics and Tarlac History and Heritage Initiatives, where she highlighted the crucial role of World War II forensics in uncovering historical truths, with a particular focus on Tarlac's heritage initiatives. The discussion involved how forensic science assisted in identifying war casualties and preserving historical artifacts. She highlighted how Tarlac, a historically rich province, contributed to these efforts through local programs aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage.
Dr. GK Goswami delivered the talk on Law and Forensic Justice: An Intertwined Paradigm, where he explored the necessity of justice for a democratic and peaceful society and how ‘Justice’, ‘Truth’, and ‘Evidence’ form the core of the criminal justice system. He also emphasized the need to develop laboratories fully equipped with forensic facilities and train professionals with new-age crime-solving skills, which will eventually lead to numerous job opportunities for aspiring forensic experts in India.
Prof. (Dr.) Asha Srivastava delivered the talk on Criminal Profiling and Behavioural Evidence Analysis: Understanding Criminal Investigation, where she focused on how these two are essential tools in modern criminal investigations. The talk focused on how analyzing the offender’s actions, motives, and decision-making processes helps in predicting future behaviors, aid in identifying suspects, help law enforcement agencies, and develop investigative strategies to solve complex crimes.
Prof. (Dr.) Robert Green OBE delivered the talk on Enhancing Justice: The Role of the Forensic Biologist in Sexual Crime Cases, where he highlighted the crucial role forensic biologists play in addressing sexual and gender-based violence, thereby focusing on the forensic science role in identifying crimes. He also explored contemporary practices in India and how combining theoretical understanding with practical applications can enhance the skills and expertise of professionals in handling sensitive cases.
Prof. (Dr.) Emilio Nuzzolese delivered the talk on Embracing Technological Advancements in Forensic Odontology. He discussed how both clinical and forensic applications got transformed due to advancements in digital dentistry. He also focused on how technologies like dental photogrammetry, 3D scanning, and smart glasses enhance data collection and sharing and how virdentopsy cases illustrate how digital tools, AI, and the metaverse can unlock forensic odontology's potential for justice.
Prof. (Dr.) Ma. Teresa G. De Guzman delivered the talk on Unearthing Secrets, Healing Wounds: Beyond Archaeology, The Expanding Power of Heritage Forensics. Here she focused on how heritage forensics emerged into a dynamic interdisciplinary field going beyond just focusing on archaeology and conventional forensics. The talk explored cultural stories, victim identification, heritage protection, and how heritage forensics reveals hidden truths and preserves cultural legacies.
Dr. Jose Ignacio Dela Rama Jr. delivered the talk on Importance of Forensic in the Appreciation of Evidence where the recent trends in the Rules on Evidence, which include preserving evidence presented in court and highlighting challenges faced by prosecutors, defense counsel, and judges, were discussed. The discussion further explored how courts interpret and apply these rules, emphasizing the need for positive identification principles to ensure fair legal proceedings for all parties involved.
Prof. Ivana Cukovic-Bagic delivered the talk on Child Abuse: Highlights for a Brighter Future. Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a complex global issue with severe consequences and therefore requires a multidisciplinary approach. She highlighted the need for collaboration among psychologists, pediatricians, social workers, dentists, and forensic odontologists to raise awareness and also educate professionals to recognize early signs of abuse.
Prof. Jeff Cheng-Lung Lee, Ph.D., delivered the talk on Emerging Technologies in Criminal Investigation: A New Era. He focused on how new-age technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), 3D animation, and blockchain, commonly seen in gaming, offer significant benefits for criminal investigations. He also highlighted the significance of computer-generated 3D evidence reconstruction in complex spatial and temporal data that even non-experts can access.
Dr. Rajesh Verma delivered the talk on The Paradigm Shift in Forensic Voice Comparison. He discussed how the voice comparison branch of forensic science is evolving and audio recordings from a known speaker are analyzed against those from a questioned speaker for court testimony. He further explored how acoustic phonetics and automated methods align with modern evidence interpretation.
Prof. (Dr.) Rajinder Singh Chandel delivered the talk on ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy: A Novel Approach in Wildlife Forensics. He discussed how wildlife crimes threaten biodiversity, often funding organized crime like human trafficking and drug smuggling. He highlighted how, along with techniques involving morphological and DNA analysis, ATR FT-IR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics can be used for rapid, non-destructive analysis of wildlife materials, including its applications, advancements, and limitations.
Shams Tahir Khan delivered the talk on Crime Journalism which included reporting on criminal activities, legal proceedings, and law enforcement actions, providing the public with crucial information on incidents ranging from local crimes to high-profile cases. He also highlighted the role of the media in spreading awareness about societal issues and how crime journalists must balance ethical considerations, such as accuracy and privacy, while ensuring the public's right to be informed without compromising investigations or victims' rights.
Dr. Rajesh Kumar delivered the talk on Forensic Analysis: Performance of Humans versus Machines. He discussed the limitations of human forensic analysis, which can be influenced by biases and errors, especially in opinion-based evaluations, in contrast with artificial intelligence (AI), which is quite useful in enhancing forensic applications. He further explored how these advancements can improve accuracy and reliability in forensic analysis and the role of technology in mitigating human error and enhancing investigative outcomes.
Dr. Ritesh Shukla delivered the talk on Cutting Edge Research in the Field of Forensic Nanotechnology: Preventive and Investigative Approach. He explored the intersection of nanotechnology and forensic science and how advanced techniques improve both the preventive and investigative dimensions of criminal justice. He highlighted how this field aims to accelerate forensic investigations through innovative approaches that enhance nanomaterial characterization, understand environmental impacts, and address ethical considerations.
Dr. Surbhi Mathur delivered the talk on Faking Reality: Deepfake Dilemmas in Modern Forensics, in which she addressed the rising threat of deepfakes that blur the line between reality and illusion. She further added how, with the continuous evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced models are capable of creating convincing deepfake content, which complicates forensic investigations. She discussed the need for collaboration among technologists, law enforcement, and policymakers for developing effective strategies to minimize the risks posed by deepfakes in the digital era.
Dr. Jaysankar P. Pillai delivered the talk on Teeth in Fire: Role in Forensic Human Identification, which focused on the crucial role of dental evidence in forensic human identification, particularly in the context of charred human remains. He discussed why teeth serve as reliable indicators even if they are subjected to high temperatures and how incorporating dental evidence in disaster victim identification, especially for fire victims, can prove an efficient method for achieving positive identification.
Adv. Bharat Chugh delivered the talk on Role of Forensics in New Indian Law which is crucial for ensuring justice. He discussed how current legal reforms emphasize the importance of forensic science to strengthen evidence collection, investigation, and prosecution in criminal cases. He explored how these advancements help reduce wrongful convictions, speed up investigations, and ensure that court decisions are backed by scientifically validated evidence.
Dr. Jay T. Dalet delivered the talk on Unveiling Crime Scene Biology: Applications of RNA-FISH in Forensic Casework Analysis. He discussed how, apart from relying on traditional DNA-based techniques, RNA-based methods like fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) offer valuable complementary tools for understanding crime scene biology. He explored the intricacies of RNA-FISH profiling in forensic analysis and highlighted the role it plays in interpreting complex cellular environments in criminal investigations.
Asaf Bar Ilan delivered the talk on Beyond the Lie-Detection, where he explored various advancements in forensic psychology and technology that extend beyond traditional polygraph tests. He discussed emerging methods like neuroimaging, voice stress analysis, and AI-driven behavioral analysis that offer more accurate ways to detect deception and how the growing reliance on scientifically validated techniques in criminal investigations is helping to decipher hidden truths and complex behaviors.
Dr. Ankit Srivastava delivered the talk on Science in the Courtroom: Advances in Forensic Evidence Admissibility. He discussed the growing role of science in enhancing the credibility of forensic evidence, from DNA analysis to digital forensics. He emphasized the need for transparency, proficiency, and ethics among forensic experts during expert testimony. He also highlighted how best practices and regulatory frameworks from various jurisdictions ensure more accurate verdicts.
Dr. Irene D. Valones, DCL, DPA, delivered the talk on Cyber Forensics in the Big Data and Internet of Things (IoTs): A Transnational Governance of Digital Investigation and Evidence Acquisition in the Post-Pandemic Era. She discussed how cyber criminals exploit the internet to commit scams and the need to focus on enhancing state cyber resilience against threats that legislation alone cannot mitigate by creating standardized protocols for the collection, handling, preservation, and auditing of digital evidence across diverse networks.
Dr. Charesma Grace K. Lud-Ayen delivered the talk on Demographic Dynamics and Implications: Understanding Domestic Violence Perpetrators Through Key Informant Analysis. She discussed how domestic violence impacts millions of individuals and families globally and the need to develop effective intervention and prevention strategies. She focused on understanding the psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to their involvement in such offences.
PCPT Jeric C. Manalili, RPsy, RPm delivered the talk on The Role of Forensic Psychology in Investigation, focusing on how psychologists apply their expertise to legal matters, supporting criminal justice systems worldwide. He discussed forensic psychology's nature and its evolving role in criminal investigations, focusing on criminal profiling, interviewing techniques for suspects and witnesses, and assessing criminal insanity.
Dr. Natasha Dimeska delivered the talk on the Importance of Introducing a Forensic Approach in Social Work for Working with Child Victims and Witnesses of Violence. She discussed how following a forensic approach leads to effective handling of child victims and witnesses of violence. She emphasized why social workers trained in forensic methods can better assess trauma, provide support, and maintain the integrity of a child's testimony and help in delivering justice and protecting a child's rights and well-being throughout the investigative and judicial processes.
Dr. Niño M. Kabiling, RCrim. Delivered the talk on Can Directed Lies Reveal the Truth? An In-Depth Analysis of the Directed Lie Screening Test in Polygraph Examination. He discussed how DLST plays a crucial role in polygraph examinations, designed to identify deception using directed, non-threatening lies. He also discussed the reliability, validity, limitations, and factors influencing the accuracy of the DLST and its impact on polygraph results, along with various research findings related to it.
Dr. Kimberly Anne Plomp delivered the talk on Developing Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology in Asia in which she discussed how these two fields provide crucial insights during investigations like time-since-death, identification of remains, evidence recovery, revealing trauma and diseases on bones, etc. She also highlighted the less utilization of these in India and the Philippines, leading to several unresolved cases, and emphasized the need to establish reliable frameworks and standardized protocols.
Abel Samuel Odeh delivered the talk on Use of Forensics in Nigerian Police, in which he highlighted the increased use of forensics to enhance criminal investigations and law enforcement efforts in Nigeria. He also stated that these methods improve accuracy in identifying suspects, linking them to criminal activities, and providing reliable evidence in court, but due to various challenges like inadequate funding, limited resources, and a lack of specialized force, full integration of forensic science into the Nigerian criminal justice system has a long way to go.
Dr. Danilo Magtanong delivered the talk on Insights into Forensic Odontology: A General Practitioner’s Perspective, where he focused on how it helps in handling and examining dental evidence and how it, along with technological advancements, addresses legal questions and supports investigations. He also highlighted various scientific methods used to manage, evaluate, and present dental findings in criminal or civil cases, with the primary aim of providing justice to the innocent.
Atty. Aloi Renz P. Santos delivered the talk on Role of Forensics in Human Rights Investigations: Ensuring Accountability and Upholding Justice, where he highlighted the crucial role forensic science can play in investigating human rights violations to deliver justice. He discussed the overview of human rights abuses in the Philippines, the challenges faced during investigations, and how forensic science can help in safeguarding human rights and enhancing the effectiveness of investigations.
Atty. Jewel O. Dela Cruz, LL.M. delivered the talk on Children, Science, and the Law: A Legal Analysis of Forensic Science in Cases Involving Children. She discussed the impact of digital evolution on the victims of online sexual exploitation. She further highlighted that digital forensics is not limited to computers alone but now includes smartphones, CCTV, and third-party devices operated by internet service providers and how it helps in rescuing children across borders by analyzing devices from different locations, along with challenges related to digital forensics.
Ma. Josefina Jacala delivered the talk on Detecting Plagiarism: A Comprehensive Guide. In this, she discussed what plagiarism is, signs of plagiarism, plagiarism detection tools, best practices, and addressing plagiarism. She highlighted that presenting all forms of content, whether already published or unpublished or generated through AI, falls in this category and equipped educators, researchers, and students with the knowledge and tools needed to maintain academic integrity and effectively combat plagiarism.
Dr. Nolasco R. Saporne, RCrim. delivered the talk on Emerging Technologies and Strategies for Enhancing Safety and Physical Security in Casino Operations. He highlighted that in recent years, due to technological advancements, there are several changes in casino operations leading to security challenges. He explored the latest trends and strategies like AI-driven surveillance, biometric authentication, and innovative risk assessment methods in the gaming industry, which focus on involving forensic science to protect patrons, assets, and infrastructure.
Atty. Allesandra Fay V. Albarico delivered the talk on Achieving Arbitral Justice in International Commercial Arbitration Through Forensic Science: A Philippine Experience So Far. She discussed various legal conflicts companies face on entering foreign markets due to differences in laws, regulations, business customs, culture, or linguistic barriers. She highlighted the need for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms like international commercial arbitration, which provides a neutral ground for resolving conflicts between parties from different countries.
Archie Lawrence Geneta delivered the talk on Assessment of Psychological Incapacity in the Philippines: Sharing of Personal Practice with Clients who Have Undergone Annulment, in which he discussed the marriage as per Article 36 of the Philippine Family Code declared void due to psychological incapacity without psychological or medical examination. He explored how expert witness testimony remains admissible and influential in annulment cases or determining the criminal liability of either spouse.
Atty. Ariel D. Valones delivered the talk on Artificial Intelligence and the Metaverse of Forensic Medicine: The Pandora's Box of the Future Courtroom Evidentiary Procedure. He discussed how AI is reshaping society and the criminal justice system, especially influencing the metaverse and medicine field through various applications. He discussed how existing courtroom procedures and evidentiary frameworks find it difficult to cope with such advancements, along with the current and future implications of AI and the metaverse in forensic medicine within the criminal justice system.
Atty. Bernadette P. Baylon, J.D. delivered the talk on Problem Areas in Criminal Procedure, where she highlighted the need to address critical challenges in crime prosecution by the Legislative and Judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, in the Philippines. She further stressed using forensic science as a tool for prosecuting serious crimes such as murder, homicide, and rape to identify the true perpetrators, thereby helping the Philippine justice system ensure that only the guilty are punished.
Atty. Enrico Miguel Dela Rama Dizon delivered the talk on Postal Codes: Problem Areas in the Appreciation of Social Media Posts as Evidence. He discussed how technological advancements have transformed the right to privacy from a property-based concept to an independent right including both individuals and property. He addressed the gaps between the legal framework for privacy in the Philippines due to the rise in social media and how forensics can help address the related issues.
Atty. Mark Anthony N. Manuel, LPT, delivered the talk on AI Uses in Forensic Science: Challenges and Opportunities, where he explored AI's integration in forensic practices, focusing on its applications in crime scene analysis and evidence interpretation. Though AI can do a lot, like the processing of forensic data, speeding up investigations, crime scene reconstruction through computer vision and pattern recognition, etc., challenges like data privacy, algorithm biases, and ethical concerns persist. The speaker emphasized the need for ethical guidelines for responsible AI use.
Dr. Glenn R. Luansing, DCL, PDSML, delivered the talk on Emerging Trends in the Gathering and Preservation of Forensic Evidence Among Allied Health Workers. He discussed the interdisciplinary role of nurses in the collection, documentation, handling, and safekeeping of forensic evidence in sexual abuse cases and how proper forensic evidence gathering by nurses can lead to legal success for victims and higher conviction rates for perpetrators.
Atty. Cristina Elaine Domingo Mangrobang delivered the talk on LLM Forensic Science as Intrinsic Component in the Administration of Justice in the Philippines: A Critical Analysis. She discussed the significance of forensic science in determining the guilt of perpetrators and the innocence of the accused and its role in administering justice in the Philippines. The talk also focused on recommendations to be considered, like including amendments to existing laws and integrating relevant policies into current Philippine legislation.
Emanuel C. Manahan, RCrim, MCJE delivered the talk on Revolutionizing Forensic Ballistics: Cutting-Edge Technologies and Their Impact. He discussed how automation and AI have revolutionized ballistic fingerprint analysis and innovations in gunshot residues (GSR) analysis have improved. The speaker highlighted how these advancements equip law enforcement with powerful tools to investigate and solve firearm-related crimes more effectively, resulting in more accurate and reliable outcomes.
Judge Edith Cynthia A. Wee-Cabbat delivered the talk on Probative Value of Digital Surveys in Land-Related Disputes where she discussed the types of land surveys commonly used as evidence in Philippine courts and their significance in resolving such disputes. She further highlighted the challenges in the accuracy and admissibility in court of using digital surveys like Google Maps or aerial methods and their impact on land-related dispute resolutions.
Raymielle Christie Romero Magcalas delivered the talk on Holding Out for a Hero: Forensic Science and the Rights of Children Who Are Victims of Human Rights Violations. She discussed considering DNA as evidence in decision-making should be supplementary rather than mandatory, and the Philippines lacks legislation that systematizes forensic evidence collection and use. She highlighted that forensic science must be integrated into the legal system to protect public welfare, including children’s safety.
Marilet Santos Layug delivered the talk on Beyond Reasonable Doubt: Integration of Forensic Evidence in Philippine Laws, where she discussed how to benefit maximum from the advances in forensic science for identifying accused individuals in criminal cases and connecting its technical aspects to laws addressing crimes. The talk further emphasized the need for high standards across all justice institutions to ensure reliability in court, especially integration of rules on forensic evidence in the Philippines.
Dr. Mary Jane Louise Bolunia delivered the talk on Forensic Science, Archaeology, and Heritage, where she discussed how archaeological methods help protect cultural heritage while enabling scientific analysis. She further added that collaboration between forensic science and archaeology will enhance both forensic investigations and heritage preservation, and by following established protocols, desired outcomes can be achieved in safeguarding heritage while addressing forensic needs.
Mildred D. Martinez-Tria delivered the talk on Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Women in Forensic Science, where she highlighted the growing number of women in forensics, making it the only STEM field with more women than men. She also addressed challenges women face due to gender inequality in forensic science leadership and focused on strategies for promoting gender diversity. Several success stories of women who have overcome these challenges were explored, and recommendations for creating a more inclusive leadership landscape in forensic science were suggested.
Mykedox Knoel T. Cuchapin delivered the talk on Establishing Legal Identity, Civil, and Human Rights through Forensic under the Lens of International Law, where he highlighted forensic DNA testing as a crucial tool in determining biological relationships, especially in child identity cases. He further explored the benefits and challenges of DNA testing in paternity disputes, adoption, and inheritance claims and the legal implications of DNA testing in the Philippines and the U.S., as well as international law that supports a child’s right to establish filiation.
Panel Discussion: CSI: The Intersection of Law, Science, and Justice. The panel explored the interplay between law, forensic science, and the hunt for justice. Experts from legal, forensic, and law enforcement fields discussed how forensic evidence, like DNA, ballistics, and digital forensics, shapes investigations and court cases. Topics like the reliability of forensic methods, challenges in evidence admissibility, ethical considerations, and future advancements were also discussed, highlighting the role of forensics in solving real-life complex cases.
The audience was highly engaged throughout the talks, with participants eagerly asking questions and sharing their own experiences. Lively discussions followed each session, and many attendees were seen taking notes, clearly inspired by the insights shared. The room was full of energy showcasing how engrossed each participant was in the topics.
In the closing remarks, the organizers thanked everyone for their involvement, expressing how the event exceeded expectations. They highlighted the value of the connections made and the knowledge shared and emphasized the importance of working together to solve future challenges.
As the conference came to an end, everyone—from attendees to organizers, chief guests, and special guests—gathered for a final group photo, capturing the essence of collaboration and accomplishment. Laughter and smiles lit up the room, marking the culmination of a successful event. With heartfelt goodbyes, participants left, feeling inspired and excited for future pursuits in forensic science.