It is both a great honour and a genuine pleasure, as President of the International Academy of Legal Medicine, to welcome you to the IALM 2027 Congress, which will take place in The Hague from 18 to 21 May 2027.
For many decades, the International Academy of Legal Medicine has brought together professionals committed to advancing knowledge, promoting scientific excellence, and strengthening the role of legal and forensic medicine in the service of justice and society. Our Congresses are privileged moments in the life of our Academy: they allow us not only to share the latest scientific developments, but also to meet, exchange ideas, build collaborations, and strengthen the bonds that unite our international community.
The theme of IALM 2027, “Towards a Safe and Just World,” reflects the very essence of our discipline. Legal and forensic medicine stands at the crossroads of medicine, science, law, ethics, and human rights. Through our expertise, research, teaching, and daily professional commitment, we contribute to the search for truth, the protection of individuals, and the proper administration of justice.
Our field is evolving rapidly. New developments in pathology, genetics, imaging, artificial intelligence, toxicology, anthropology, and many other areas are opening remarkable perspectives, while at the same time raising new scientific, ethical, and societal questions. More than ever, these challenges require rigorous science, critical thinking, independence, and international cooperation.
Beyond the scientific programme, I sincerely hope that IALM 2027 will be a place of encounter and friendship. One of the greatest strengths of our Academy lies in its ability to bring together colleagues from different countries, cultures, disciplines, and generations around shared values and a common commitment to excellence.
The Hague, a city with a unique international vocation and a profound association with justice and peace, provides a particularly meaningful setting for our meeting.
I warmly invite all of you to join us for what promises to be an inspiring and memorable Congress. I look forward with great pleasure to welcoming you personally to The Hague in May 2027.
Prof. Bertrand Ludes President International Academy of Legal Medicine
