Forensic science: Where to from Here?

‘Where to from Here’ (WTFH) was the theme chosen for the 2023 meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS). This theme reflects the fact that forensic science is evolving rapidly, not only within individual sub-disciplines but, critically, across the whole forensic science landscape. Identifying and predicting evolutionary change will enable a more focused and constructive future for forensic science. The IAFS meeting originally scheduled for 2020 was cancelled due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, on 18 May 2021, an IAFS Virtual Event launched the Sydney Declaration as an integral part of the WTFH initiative. The Sydney Declaration articulates a definition and seven principles for forensic science and provides a much-needed platform for forensic science into the future. It is aspirational, not focused on organisations, techniques or protocols, and provides a shared understanding of forensic science and its principles. The 2023 IAFS meeting built on the Sydney Declaration, with five themes developed as the basis for eliciting information from delegates related to the WTFH concept. The themes were: (i) integration and harmonisation; (ii) digital transformation; (iii) research; (iv) education and training; and (v) technology. Information across these themes was gathered via short, sharply focused panel discussions in the final session of each of the 22 disciplines represented at the meeting. In addition, there was a panel-based seminar on the Sydney Declaration and a panel-based plenary session on the conference theme. Meeting delegates were also able to provide their thoughts during the meeting, and for a two-week post-conference window, via a dedicated meeting app. Information from all of these sources has been collated to provide a consolidated WTFH landscape for forensic science.