'Studying forensic odontology in the UK gave me the expertise I need to help families in Pakistan find closure after tragedy'

Two women wear labcoats and gloves. The one on the right is wearing glasses as she looks into a microscope.

Falak Syed (left) and Suman Shoro (right) using lab equipment at the University of Dundee, while studying forensic odontology at the University of Dundee

Falak (Dr. Syed), from Pakistan, graduated with a master’s in forensic odontology from the University of Dundee in 2019. She became an expert in her field in the UK, and in 2020 she played a vital role in the response to a major plane crash in Karachi by helping establish facts through the use of dental evidence.

'Forensic odontology is an emerging field in Pakistan that very few people know about'

After qualifying as a dentist, I wanted to take my studies further, to do a master’s overseas and preferably in the UK. After looking into some options, I became fascinated with forensic odontology.

Forensic odontology is an emerging field in Pakistan that very few people know about. It’s the expert study of dental evidence to establish facts, such as what has happened in a crime or identifying bodies in a disaster. Here’s a video I presented for the University of Dundee on the subject.

It sounded so different. At that time, the University of Dundee was the only place which offered a postgraduate course in it. My friend, and fellow dentistry graduate, Suman Shoro, both applied.

Suman (left) and Falak (right) at Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee

'At the time, the University of Dundee was the only place which offered a postgraduate course in forensic odontology. My friend, and fellow dentistry graduate, Suman Shoro, both applied'

Falak (left) and Suman (right) with two Indian friends visiting Pitlochry. There is a beautiful loch in the background and rolling hills, including a mountain in the back with snow on the top. It's a sunny day and there are lots of trees in the background on the edge of the loch.

Falak (left) and Suman (right) with two Indian friends visiting Pitlochry.

‘In the UK, my education was so much more than just a qualification’

When we arrived, everyone from our housemates to our lecturers was so open and friendly, and we felt supported. We also had a say in what we wanted from our studies. Tutors listened to our opinions and our ideas.

In the UK, my education was so much more than a qualification. Every day I felt myself growing as a professional and as a person.

The Dutchess of Cambridge and Prince William on a visit to Dundee.

'Suman and I met the Dutchess of Cambridge and Prince William when they came to visit Dundee. They were really down to earth and it was such an amazing experience'

'As part of the course, we worked with local police and mortuaries'

As part of the course, we even worked with local police and mortuaries. To be able to apply my learning so directly to the real world gave me a huge sense of purpose and was very different from studying theory in a lecture hall.

During my studies in the UK, I was able to submit three research articles for publication, in large part due to the supportive study environment and the encouragement I received.

Falak (middle), Suman (right) and another student ambassador (left) sitting on a massive blue deck chair on the grounds of University of Dundee. There is writing above their heads printed on the fabric of the chair which reads 'I'm @DundeeUni'

'On the (very) big chair during an open day as student ambassadors at the University of Dundee'

‘Suman and I became the first female forensic odontologists in the whole of Pakistan’

Graduating felt wonderful. Suman and I became the first, and to date only, female forensic odontologists in the whole of Pakistan.

Falak and Suman stand in front of Dundee Dental Hospital & School

'After graduating, Suman and I became the first, and to date only, female forensic odontologists in the whole of Pakistan'

‘After a major disaster in Karachi in 2020, I joined a team headed by the first-ever forensic odontologist in Pakistan’

In 2020, 98 people were killed, and many were injured after Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303 crashed in a residential area of Karachi. After this major disaster, professional teams were needed to make sense of the tragedy and to help the families involved.

I was invited to join a team headed by Dr Humayoun Temoor, the first-ever forensic odontologist in Pakistan. He actually also studied in the UK at the University of South Wales. Dr Temoor, Suman and I met with high-ranking airline officials, the police and other experts working on disaster response.

In these meetings, we were able to explain the vital role odontology plays in identifying the victims. The sense of professionalism and confidence we developed in the UK was extremely important.

‘Forensic ontology is about more than just identification. It is about helping families find closure after tragedy’

In the weeks after the disaster, the team worked extremely hard, even spending time away from our families over Eid. It wasn’t easy, but we knew what we were doing was very important. The work we were doing was about more than just identification. It was about helping families find closure after the tragedy. And while we were doing scientific, clinical work, it was for a very human reason.

'Suman and I at Broughty Ferry with our Syrian friend, Rawad, on Eid'

‘I became an expert while studying in the UK’

I am the professional that I am today due to having studied in the UK. I became an expert and truly learned about my field there. I find my work very rewarding and am very proud to be a forensic odontologist.

'I am the professional that I am today due to having studied in the UK. I became and expert and truly learned about my field there'

In this section

Study UK blog

Get a glimpse of student life in the UK from international students themselves. Discover UK culture, top tips, scholarships, graduate stories and more.

How my UK degree is helping me use sport to enact social change for young people in India

After graduating with a master's in sports management in the UK, Suheil founded an award-winning business which uses sport to create social change in India.

How my UK accounting degree led me to become a stunt performer

Hannah shares how, beyond making new friends and having new experiences, her UK degree inspired her to make an exciting - and unusual - career change.

See more

Study in Scotland

World-class universities, stunning landscapes, and gothic castles - find out why 50,000 international students chose to study in Scotland each year.

Study science and technology in the UK

If you’re excited by the extraordinary things you could achieve with a science and technology career, you’ll find the best possible starting point in the UK.

Sign up to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and advice on applications, scholarships, visas and events.