In March 2025, the haunting discovery of Slovak tourist Michaela Mickova’s body in Boracay revealed more than a crime scene — it exposed the fragile state of forensic practice in the Philippines. Responders worked with courage, but without full protective gear or consistent protocols, the images underscored what CHED Chair Popoy De Vera has called a national “forensics crisis.”
In this episode of The Forensic Lens Podcast, I reflect on why scientific standards are the backbone of credible forensic work. From the eight core principles of science — empirical, systematic, objective, replicable, testable, tentative, predictive, and self-correcting — to the urgent need for ISO-aligned labs, stronger training, and local research, I explore how the Philippines can move toward a forensic culture worthy of public trust.
📖 Read the full article on Agham Road.
🌐 Learn more about my work here.
