Practical Training for Law Students from BFU
On April 2, 2026, as part of the practical training in the course “Criminal Procedure Law,” the students from the Law program at Burgas Free University, together with their lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mila Ivanova, conducted an off-site class at the Basic Scientific and Technical Laboratory of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior – Burgas. The head of the laboratory is Krasimir Kirov.
The visit is part of the established practice of cooperation between BSU and the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior – Burgas, aimed at providing a real professional environment for training and developing practical skills among future legal professionals.
During the visit, the students became closely acquainted with the work of forensic experts and with the main methods and tools used in criminal investigations. The specialists from the laboratory demonstrated techniques for detecting, documenting, and collecting fingerprint traces from various surfaces, as well as the modern technological capabilities for their analysis.
Particular interest was sparked by the presentation of the automated fingerprint identification system “AFIS,” which enables the input, storage, and processing of dactyloscopic information. In addition, the fundamentals of DNA analysis were presented as a key tool in modern forensics — the processes of collecting, preserving, and examining biological traces, as well as their significance for evidence in criminal proceedings. The students were also introduced to methods for verifying the authenticity of documents and the role of technical examinations in the criminal process. In this context, emphasis was placed on the evidentiary value of expert reports under the Criminal Procedure Code, their connection to the court’s inner conviction, and their importance in forming the final judicial act. It was highlighted that the proper collection, preservation, and examination of physical evidence, including DNA traces, is essential for ensuring their admissibility and reliability in criminal proceedings.
As part of the open lesson, specialists from the chemical laboratory presented the main characteristics of the most common narcotic substances, the effects of their use, and modern methods for their identification.
The training contributed to deepening the students’ theoretical knowledge and applying it in a real working environment. Such initiatives reinforce the importance of the connection between academic education and practice and are a key factor for the successful professional development of future legal specialists.
