International Conference on Fostering the Next Generation of Forensic Researchers and Professionals
Organized by ZiForKrim (EHU), the International Conference on Fostering the Next Generation of Forensic Researchers and Professionals aims to create a focused international forum for discussion and collaboration in the field of criminalistic and forensic sciences. ZiforKrim is a collaborative hub created between the Faculty of Science and Technology of University of the Basque Country, the Scientific Police Unit of Ertzaintza and the Basque Academy of Police and Emergency Services.
The conference places particular emphasis on the education, training and professional development of future forensic researchers and practitioners, promoting dialogue between universities, forensic institutions, laboratories and early-career professionals.
The event seeks to encourage interdisciplinary exchange while maintaining a clear focus on forensic and criminalistic sciences directly connected to forensic research, forensic practice, forensic technologies and professional forensic training.
The conference programme combines invited lectures, selected oral presentations and poster sessions in an international academic environment designed to foster scientific exchange, networking and future collaboration.
Hosted in Bilbao city center (Bizkaia Aretoa conference center), the conference offers participants an exceptional setting for academic and professional interaction.
Contributions may address, among others, the following areas:
- Criminalistic sciences and forensic methodologies
- Forensic science education and professional training
- Research methodologies in forensic sciences
- Cooperation between universities, forensic laboratories and institutions
- Digital forensics and technological innovation
- Forensic evidence and scientific standards
- Quality assurance and scientific integrity in forensic practice
- Crime scene investigation and forensic technologies
- Forensic document examination and forensic identification
- Interdisciplinary approaches in criminalistic sciences
- Dissemination and outreach activities related to forensic sciences
- Early-career researcher initiatives and doctoral training
Working languages:
Spanish and English
Simultaneous translation will be available throughout the conference
Submission Guidelines
Abstracts should be written in English. Maximum length: 500 words.
Please include:
• Title
• Author(s)
• Institutional affiliation
• Contact email
• 3–5 keywords
Authors should indicate their preferred presentation format:
• Oral presentation (limited number of positions available)
• Poster presentation
The Scientific Committee will make the final decision regarding the format of presentation.
Selected contributions will be included in the conference programme. Authors of accepted abstracts may also submit a final paper for inclusion in the conference proceedings (see “relevant dates” section below)
Conference Proceedings
Conference proceedings will be published prior to the conference with ISBN.
Provisional title: Fostering the Next Generation of Forensic Researchers and Professionals
Important Dates
• Abstract submission deadline: 15 July 2026
• Notification of acceptance: 25 July 2026
• Optional final paper submission: 5 September 2026
Venue
Hosted at Bizkaia Aretoa, the main conference center of the University of the Basque Country, this event takes place in Bilbao city center—a vibrant, welcoming city known for its outstanding tourism infrastructure, cultural richness, and walkable, human-scale urban layout. Its medium size and excellent connectivity make it an ideal setting for both rigorous academic exchange and informal networking in a relaxed and inspiring environment.
Bilbao is a vibrant city where industrial heritage, contemporary architecture and Basque cultural identity meet with remarkable intensity. Once shaped by shipyards, steel and port activity, the city has transformed itself into an international reference for urban renewal, combining the iconic presence of the Guggenheim Museum (600m from the conference venue) with a lively historic quarter, elegant riverfront promenades and a distinctive gastronomic culture. Its appeal lies not only in its architecture or landscape, but also in its atmosphere: Bilbao is dynamic, welcoming and deeply rooted in its own traditions, offering visitors a powerful example of how a city can reinvent itself without losing its character.
Useful links
Conference Venue (Bizkaia Aretoa). https://www.ehu.eus/en/web/bizkaia-aretoa/
Bilbao turismo: https://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/en/tourists
Basque Country, official turist info: https://tourism.euskadi.eus/en/
Working Languages
Spanish and English.
Simultaneous interpretation will be available throughout the conference.
Registration Fees
- General participants: 120 €
- PhD candidates and students: 50 €
A limited number of fee waivers or reduced-fee grants may be available for early-career researchers and students.
Participation Format
The conference will be primarily held onsite in Bilbao. Limited online participation may be available for selected contributors when justified by international travel or institutional constraints.
Due to programme limitations, not all oral presentations can be accommodated online. The Scientific Committee will determine the final presentation format.
Poster presentations may also be accepted in online format. In such cases, authors will be required to submit a printable digital version of the poster within the deadlines indicated by the organisers.
