Circular No. 67/2026/TT-BCA Regulating Forensic Technical Appraisers in the People's Public Security Organs; Appointment, Removal of Forensic Technical Appraisers and Recognition, Cancellation of Recognition of Organizational or Individual Forensic Appraiser for a Case in the People's Public Security Organs

CIRCULAR

Regulations on forensic experts in the field of criminal technique; appointment, removal from office of forensic experts and recognition, cancellation of recognition of organizations and individuals as forensic experts for cases within the People's Public Security Force

Based on Law No. 105/2025/QH15 on Forensic Expertise;

Based on Decree No. 177/2026/NĐ-CP dated May 19, 2026 of the Government, detailing and implementing measures for the Law on Forensic Expertise;

Based on Decree No. 02/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 18, 2025 of the Government, regulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 11/2025/NĐ-CP;

In accordance with the proposal of the Director of the Institute of Criminal Science,

The Minister of Public Security promulgates this Circular on regulations for forensic experts in the field of criminal technique; appointment, reappointment, removal from office, issuance, renewal, and revocation of forensic expert cards and recognition, cancellation of recognition of organizations and individuals as forensic experts for cases within the People's Public Security Force. Article 1. Scope of Application This Circular details points b and c of Article 10 of the Law on Forensic Expertise concerning forensic experts in the field of criminal technique; appointment, reappointment, removal from office, issuance, renewal, and revocation of forensic expert cards and recognition, cancellation of recognition of organizations and individuals as forensic experts for cases; standards for recognition of organizations and individuals as forensic experts for cases within the People's Public Security Force.

Article 2. Forensic Expertise Specialties in the Field of Criminal Technique

1. Forensic experts in the field of criminal technique include specialties: fingerprint examiner; mechanical trace examiner; firearms and ammunition examiner; document examiner; fire and explosion examiner; technical examiner; audio examiner; biological examiner; chemical examiner; digital and electronic examiner.

2. A person who is proposed for appointment as a forensic expert in the field of criminal technique may be appointed to multiple specialties under this Article when they meet all the standards specified in Article 10 of the Law on Forensic Expertise and Article 3 of this Circular.

Article 3. Standards for Forensic Experts in the Field of Criminal Technique A person who is proposed for appointment as a forensic expert in the field of criminal technique must meet all the standards specified in paragraph 1 of Article 10 of the Law on Forensic Expertise, including:

1. Possession of a higher education degree from the national education system or a higher education degree from an overseas university recognized under international treaties signed by the Minister of Education and Training or a competent authority authorized to sign. Specifically:

a) Fingerprint examiner: belongs to one of the following groups: security and public order; law; computer science and information technology; chemistry; chemical engineering; chemical engineering technology; chemical education; technical command of chemical engineering;

b) Mechanical trace examiner: belongs to one of the following groups: security and public order; law; mechanical engineering and machinery technology; technological mechanical engineering; computer science and information technology; technical command and management;

c) Firearms and ammunition examiner: belongs to one of the following groups: security and public order; law; computer science and information technology; mechanical engineering and machinery technology; technological mechanical engineering; technical command and management; engineering command of sapper;

d) Document examiner: belongs to one of the following groups: security and public order; law; Vietnamese language, literature, and culture; foreign language, literature, and culture; computer science and information technology; fine arts; applied fine arts; chemistry; chemical engineering technology; chemical education; technical command of chemical engineering; printing technology; construction technology for transportation infrastructure; fire protection, rescue and firefighting; technical command and management;

d) Fire and explosion examiner: belongs to one of the following groups: electrical, electronic and telecommunications technology; technological electrical, electronic and telecommunications; chemistry; chemical engineering technology; chemical education; fire protection, rescue and firefighting; sapper technical command; chemical engineering technical command; People's Public Security technology;

e) Technical examiner: belongs to one of the following groups: electrical, electronic and telecommunications technology; technological electrical, electronic and telecommunications; computer science and information technology; mechanical engineering and machinery technology; technological mechanical engineering; construction technology; transportation infrastructure construction technology; fire protection, rescue and firefighting; technical command and management;

g) Audio examiner: belongs to one of the following groups: computer science and information technology; electrical, electronic and telecommunications technology; technological electrical, electronic and telecommunications; Vietnamese language, literature, and culture; foreign language, literature, and culture; linguistics; technical command and management; People's Public Security technology;

h) Biological examiner: belongs to one of the following groups: biology; applied biology; medicine; medical engineering; biological education; biotechnology;

i) Chemical examiner: belongs to one of the following groups: pharmacy; chemistry; chemical engineering technology; chemical engineering; environmental technology; food technology; chemical education; geology; technical command of chemical engineering.

g) Expert in audio: belongs to one of the following groups: computer and information technology; electrical engineering, electronics, and telecommunications technology; electrical, electronic, and telecommunications engineering; Vietnamese language, literature, and culture; foreign language, literature, and culture; linguistics; technical command and management; chemical engineering;

h) Expert in biology: belongs to one of the following groups: biology; applied biology; medicine; medical technology; biological education; biotechnology;

i) Expert in chemistry: belongs to one of the following groups: pharmacy; chemistry; chemical technology; chemical engineering; environmental technology; food technology; chemical education; geology; technical command and chemical engineering;

k) Digital and electronic expert appraiser: belongs to one of the following groups: electrical engineering, electronics, and telecommunications technology group; electronics, telecommunications technology group; computer science and information technology group; command and technical management group; People's Public Security Technical Engineering Group.

2. Has practical experience in professional activities in the field of training for at least five years or has directly assisted in appraisal work related to criminal technical fields in a judicial appraisal organization for at least three years.

3. Holds a certificate completed by the Chief of the Institute of Criminal Science certifying completion of legal knowledge and forensic appraisal business training in the requested specialty appraisal field.

Article 4. Legal Knowledge and Forensic Appraisal Business Training in the Field of Criminal Technical Sciences

1. The program for legal knowledge and forensic appraisal business training in the field of criminal technical sciences is specifically constructed for each appraised specialty defined in Clause 1, Article 3 of this Circular.

2. Based on the framework program, the content of legal knowledge and forensic appraisal business training issued by the Ministry of Justice, the Institute of Criminal Science shall take the lead in coordinating with relevant agencies and units to develop detailed programs and organize training to issue certificates for completion of legal knowledge and forensic appraisal business training for appraised specialties within the field of criminal technical sciences.

Article 5. Assignment of Responsibilities for Appointment, Reappointment, Exemption from Office, Issuance, Renewal, and Revocation of Forensic Appraiser Identification Card in Public Security

1. The Institute of Criminal Science is responsible for selecting officers with the necessary qualifications to appoint or reappoint forensic appraisers; reviewing cases for exemption from office of forensic appraisers; compiling files for appointment, reappointment, exemption, issuance, renewal, and revocation of identification cards of forensic appraisers as requested by the Minister of Public Security for each field and specialty appraisal within the Institute of Criminal Science.

2. The provincial or municipal public security (hereinafter referred to as provincial-level public security) is responsible for selecting officers with the necessary qualifications to appoint or reappoint forensic appraisers; reviewing cases for exemption from office of forensic appraisers; compiling files for appointment, reappointment, exemption, issuance, renewal, and revocation of identification cards of forensic appraisers as requested by the Minister of Public Security for each field and specialty appraisal within the Criminal Technical Department of provincial-level public security and sending these files to the Institute of Criminal Science for review and examination before reporting to the Minister of Public Security.

3. In cases where a forensic appraiser has been issued an identification card for the first time and is appointed in a second or subsequent specialty appraisal within the same field, a new identification card shall be issued to supplement the specialty appraisal. The number of the identification card remains unchanged.

4. The Institute of Criminal Science is responsible for advising the Minister of Public Security to compile and publish a list of appraisers on the Ministry of Public Security's official website, while simultaneously sending this list to the Ministry of Justice for updating the comprehensive list of forensic appraisers.

Provincial-level public security shall cooperate with provincial justice departments in compiling and publishing a list of appraisers on the official websites of provincial people's committees.

Article 6. Recording of Appointment, Reappointment, Removal, Issuance, Reissuance, and Revocation of Forensic Appraiser Certificates in the People's Public Security

The Department of Criminal Science, Provincial Public Security Bureau shall be responsible for recording the appointment, reappointment, removal, issuance, reissuance, and revocation of forensic appraiser certificates within its unit. Electronic record-keeping is to be conducted in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Public Security on the storage of documents commonly formed within the People's Public Security.

Article 7. Standards for Recognizing Forensic Appraisers and Forensic Appraisal Organizations for Specific Cases in the People's Public Security

1. Forensic appraisers and forensic appraisal organizations for specific cases in the People's Public Security shall ensure compliance with the conditions stipulated in Articles 13 and 18 of the Law on Forensic Appraisal.

2. Forensic appraisers and forensic appraisal organizations for specific cases may only be proposed for recognition when conducting appraisals that are consistent with the functions and duties assigned by the Minister of Public Security.

3. The recognition of forensic appraisers and forensic appraisal organizations for specific cases does not apply to public forensic appraisal organizations within the People's Public Security.

Article 8. Recognition of Forensic Appraisers and Forensic Appraisal Organizations for Specific Cases in the People's Public Security

1. Units under the Ministry may, based on practical needs of judicial proceedings and functions and duties assigned, select individuals or organizations that meet the standards as stipulated in Articles 13 and 18 of the Law on Forensic Appraisal, prepare a file to request recognition from the Minister of Public Security for forensic appraisers and forensic appraisal organizations for specific cases.

2. Units under the Ministry with recognized forensic appraisers or forensic appraisal organizations for specific cases as per the decision by the Minister of Public Security shall assist the Minister in publishing the list on the Ministry's official website, and simultaneously send it to the Ministry of Justice to update the comprehensive list of forensic appraisers and forensic appraisal organizations for specific cases, and to the Department of Criminal Science as a central point of contact for monitoring forensic appraisal work.

Article 9. Cancellation of Recognition of Forensic Appraisers and Forensic Appraisal Organizations for Specific Cases in the People's Public Security

1. Units with recognized forensic appraisers or forensic appraisal organizations for specific cases may request the Minister of Public Security to cancel such recognition if they fall under any of the circumstances specified in Paragraph 6, Article 14 and Paragraph 4, Article 19 of the Law on Forensic Appraisal.

2. Units with recognized forensic appraisers or forensic appraisal organizations for specific cases shall assist the Minister in publishing the cancellation decision on the Ministry's official website, and simultaneously send it to the Ministry of Justice to update the comprehensive list of forensic appraisers and forensic appraisal organizations for specific cases, and to the Department of Criminal Science as a central point of contact for monitoring forensic appraisal work.

Article 10. Effective Date

1. This Circular shall take effect from May 1, 2026.

2. The Circular No. 32/2022/TT-BCA dated September 12, 2022 of the Minister of Public Security concerning forensic appraisers in the field of criminal science; standards for appointing forensic appraiser positions in the People's Public Security; and announcing organizations and individuals recognized for specific cases within the People's Public Security shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect. 3. In case any legislative instrument referred to herein is amended, supplemented, or replaced, it shall be applied according to such amendment, supplement, or replacement.

3. In the event that the legal text referred to in this Circular is amended, supplemented, or replaced, it shall be applied according to the amended, supplemented, or replaced text.

Article 11. Transitional Provisions

In the case of individuals who already possess a vocational training certification for criminal technical appraisal as provided in Clause 5, Article 4 of Circular No. 32/2022/TT-BCA dated September 12, 2022, by the Minister of Public Security concerning criminal technical appraisers; standards for appointment to the position of criminal technical and forensic appraiser in the People's Public Security Force; and the announcement of organizations and individuals conducting appraisals in the People's Public Security Force, they shall meet the standards provided in Clause 3 of this Circular. Article 12. Implementation

1. Heads of units under the Ministry, Directors of Public Security Departments of provinces and cities, and heads of relevant agencies, units, and individuals within their respective functions and duties are responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.

2. The Institute of Criminal Science is responsible for organizing guidance, inspection, supervision, and promotion of the implementation of this Circular in accordance with its assigned functions and duties.

In the event of any difficulties during the implementation of this Circular, public security units and localities shall report to the Ministry of Public Security (through the Institute of Criminal Science) for timely guidance./.

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