Autopsy Program

Autopsy Assistance Program

The Autopsy Assistance Program is one of the 6 programs currently offered at Fırat University Health Services Vocational School, which began education in 1990. The program is located within the Fırat University Rectorate Campus. Students take both theoretical and practical courses during their two-year associate degree program.

The language of instruction is Turkish. Students carry out their practical applications in the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Fırat University. The program does not have its own academic staff. The program’s student capacity is 50. The academic staff consists of 4 members. Utilizing all the opportunities of modern education, we strive to provide students with an education that allows them to compete with other universities both nationally and internationally. The technological infrastructure and educational facilities of the department are organized in such a way as to enable students to develop the skills needed to handle the tasks and responsibilities they will face in their professional life.

Graduates of our program are employed in both the public and private sectors as forensic medicine technicians. The main objective of this program is to train intermediate personnel who can assist forensic medicine specialists in writing forensic reports, performing autopsies, collecting post-mortem samples, sending them, and/or working in forensic pathology laboratories.

Students in the Autopsy Assistance program have practical application opportunities, primarily in the Department of Forensic Medicine at Fırat University Faculty of Medicine, Elazığ Research and Application Hospital, the Elazığ Branch of the Forensic Medicine Institute, and the Forensic Medicine Institution's Elazığ Group Directorate.

2. TYPE OF EDUCATION AND GOALS

Full-time Day Program

3. DEGREE AWARDED

Associate degree. To receive the associate degree in the Autopsy Assistance program, students must successfully complete 120 ECTS and obtain at least a 2.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale. Upon graduation, they are awarded an Associate Degree diploma and the title of Forensic Medicine Technician. The conditions specified in the Fırat University Associate and Bachelor's Degree Education-Training and Examination Regulations are applicable.

4. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students are admitted to the program through the central placement conducted by ÖSYM based on their TYT score.

5. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates of this program can work as health personnel in public and private sector hospitals. Due to the significant need for trained professionals in this field, graduates are likely to find employment immediately after graduation. Graduates will obtain the title of Forensic Medicine Technician after completing all the professional applications included in the program. After graduation, students can find positions as autopsy assistants in Forensic Medicine Departments, Forensic Medicine Institutes, Group Directorates, Sub-Directorates, and the judiciary.

6. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students must successfully complete all courses in the program, achieve at least 120 ECTS credits, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 out of 4.00.

7. RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Students who have previously studied at other universities in Turkey or abroad can apply for credit and grade transfer within the first week after enrollment. The transfer requests will be evaluated by the relevant department's board and decided in a manner that covers the student's entire education, once and for all. Students who have completed secondary education or an equivalent abroad and achieved the required score in the university entrance exam may enroll. Additionally, students can apply for lateral transfer from equivalent programs of other higher education institutions. The transfer of credits for such students is governed by the Fırat University Associate and Bachelor's Degree Education-Training and Examination Regulations.

8. PROGRAM PROFILE

The aim of this program is to train intermediate personnel who can assist forensic medicine experts in writing forensic reports, conducting autopsies, collecting post-mortem samples, sending samples, and working in forensic pathology laboratories.

9. PROGRAM COORDINATORS

Program Chair
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pelin KOPARIR
Fırat University Health Services Vocational School
0424-237 00 00 / 6546

10. ADVANCED DEGREE TRANSFER

Graduates of the program can transfer to undergraduate programs in Nursing, Nursing and Health Services through the Vertical Transfer Exam (DGS).

11. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOGNITION

Students must successfully complete all courses in the program, achieve at least 120 ECTS credits, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 out of 4.00.

12. STRUCTURE OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

The program consists of 4 semesters, with a total of 120 ECTS credits, 30 ECTS credits per semester. Courses are offered on a semester basis.

13. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
14. Having sufficient knowledge of basic, clinical medical sciences, and forensic medicine, which enables the use of theoretical and practical knowledge in forensic medicine.
15. Ability to define, solve, and apply post-mortem sampling techniques to forensic medicine and autopsy procedures by selecting and applying appropriate methods and techniques.
16. Ability to acquire the materials required for autopsy and perform autopsies using modern equipment.
17. Ability to apply autopsy techniques and use modern imaging techniques, and to select the necessary equipment.
18. Ability to perform autopsies and determine the cause of death.
19. Ability to access information and conduct the necessary research to find relevant resources.
20. Ability to take responsibility and work effectively both individually and in a team, handling complex cases.
21. Proficiency in expressing oneself both in Turkish and English, with the ability to communicate and present ideas effectively in public or professional settings.
22. Lifelong learning awareness, with the ability to renew oneself and keep up with technological advancements.
23. Awareness of professional ethics and rules, as well as the ability to contribute to justice through autopsy procedures in forensic medicine.
24. Ability to recognize and provide solutions to workplace or institutional applications, focusing on individual and forensic-sensitive matters.
25. Ability to meet first aid requirements at the crime scene and collect evidence from a forensic perspective.