On September 15, the Forensic Science Sub-forum of the 2023 Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang) was held at the Criminal Investigation Police University of China. 30 overseas guests from 18 countries and regions, and 118 domestic experts from public security police authorities, police academies, research institutions and well known enterprises, were invited to attend the sub-forum. This sub-forum was hosted by the China Association for Friendship and organised by the Criminal Investigation Police University of China.

With the theme of “Facing the Future: Theoretical Development and Technological Evolution of Forensic Science”, the sub-forum conducted in-depth discussions and exchanges from various perspectives, including foundational theory research in forensic science, the current state and challenges of forensic science, standardization and intelligentization in forensic science, development pathways for forensic science in the digital era, the value embodiment of forensic science in combating new types of crimes, the intersection of forensic science and evidence law, interdisciplinary integration with forensic science, international cooperation in forensic science, and talent development for forensic science in the digital era.

The forum issued a joint action initiative for international cooperation in forensic science, calling on the international forensic science community and law enforcement agencies of countries to enhance dialogue and practical cooperation in six areas: upholding a concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security; establishing and improving mechanisms for cooperation in forensic science; strengthening policy dialogue and communication in forensic science; promoting resource sharing in forensic science; intensifying cooperation in technological innovation for forensic science; and conducting capacity-building cooperation in forensic science. These efforts aim to foster a global community of shared future for forensic science.

Participants highly praised the forum and expressed their commitment to actively integrate into the broader context of international cooperation in forensic science. They pledged to work together with forensic science experts and law enforcement agencies from around the world, to strengthen unity and cooperation, to achieve mutual understanding and alignment of concepts and policies in forensic science, and to broaden the scope of cooperation. Their goal is to build a more friendly and stable partnership in forensic science and contribute to addressing various security challenges through the power of forensic science.