They extend their hands filled with knowledge and expertise to give voices to those whose stories have stumbled in the mazes of assaults and injustice. They carefully gather the scattered pieces, and with each detail restored, they reclaim a small piece of the lost justice.

Forensic medicine deals with providing facts and investigating cases that occur in society, such as crimes, suicides, and various accidents. But what is the situation of forensic doctors in Syria, and are they fully prepared for these incidents?

In this regard, Dr. Yasser Al-Qasem, the Deputy Director-General of the General Authority for Forensic Medicine, explained that the number of forensic doctors in Syria is 52, most of whom are over fifty years old.

Al-Qasem added that the low income of forensic doctors and the reluctance of graduates and applicants to enter this specialization have led to a shortage of human resources in this field. He emphasized that the country faces a dilemma and a catastrophe due to the inability to compensate for the absence of a doctor who dies or retires.

According to Dr. Zahir Hajj, the Director-General of the General Authority for Forensic Medicine, there are psychological barriers that hinder doctors when deciding to specialize in forensic medicine. These barriers are related to dealing with cases of rape, murder, and diseases transmitted from decomposed bodies.

Hajj also pointed out the numerous legal obstacles. Forensic doctors work in a minefield, as their report may be the cause of their imprisonment if it contains an error. Therefore, there is a need to work on increasing their income and providing legal protection for forensic doctors by implementing the provisions of Law 17, which has not been fully activated as it should be.

Hajj added that the General Authority for Forensic Medicine has sought to compensate for the losses that affected 70% of its facilities, partially or completely destroyed during the war. The Authority established a center in Aleppo, one of the largest centers in the Middle East, as well as centers in Homs and Quneitra, in addition to a large examination center, a morgue, and a center for living organisms in Damascus, and a center for deaths in Al-Mujtahid Hospital.

Hajj concluded that the main problem for the Authority lies in the laboratories. It relies on atomic energy and forensic evidence laboratories in the Criminal Security Department.