Doctor Tamara Hanna Saka ranks first in Iraqi Board of Forensic Medicine

02/09/2026

BAGHDAD — Doctor Tamara Ablahad Hanna Saka, a member of the Suraye (Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian community) in Iraq, has achieved a scientific milestone in forensic medicine after earning the Iraqi Board certification from the Iraqi Council for Medical Specializations, ranking first in her cohort.

The achievement places Dr. Saka among prominent specialists in forensic medicine in Iraq. According to the information provided by the source, she is the first female doctor in Iraq to obtain the Iraqi Board certification in forensic medicine inside the country, and the third female doctor in forensic medicine in the Middle East.

Saka obtained the certificate as a Fellow of the Iraqi Council for Medical Specializations in forensic medicine following years of study, training and scientific research. The certificate is considered the highest specialist qualification awarded by the Council in this medical field, according to Council Letter No. 3168, dated 18 November 2021.

For her thesis, Saka chose the topic “The Reliability of Biomarkers in Diagnosing Sudden Cardiac Death.” The study examined the potential use of biomarkers to improve the accuracy of determining causes of death, particularly in cases where reaching a definitive medical explanation for sudden death may prove difficult.

Forensic medicine occupies a position at the intersection of medicine, law and criminal investigation, relying on medical and scientific evidence to help determine causes of death, interpret injuries and handle cases that fall within judicial investigations. From this perspective, the specialty extends beyond medical practice alone, playing a role in the justice system itself.

Saka’s success adds a new presence to the ranks of Suraye medical professionals in Iraq in highly specialized fields. It also reflects the participation of Suraye women in scientific disciplines that require years of training, specialization and research.

Dr. Tamara Hanna Saka has pursued her professional and academic career alongside her family responsibilities as a mother of two, making her experience an example of a career path that combines academic excellence with specialization in one of the medical fields most closely linked to the judiciary and scientific investigation.

By ranking first in her cohort, Dr. Saka’s achievement represents more than a personal milestone in her career. It also highlights the presence of Suraye (Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian) and Iraqi professionals in rare medical specialties, as well as the growing role of female researchers and doctors in medical sciences and specialized research.