Susana Costa

Susana Costa is an Assistant Researcher at the Center for Social Studies (CES) of the University of Coimbra. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Coimbra (2010), focusing on paternity investigations. Her academic career includes teaching roles in Criminology programs at institutions like the University of Maia and ISMAI, where she instructs courses on deviance, criminal justice, and advanced criminological topics. She has been a key member of research projects such as 'INSIDE' (2021–present), analyzing Portugal's DNA database impact on criminal justice.

Her research interests revolve around the intersection of science and law, particularly DNA technology's role in criminal investigations, forensic epistemology, and sociological critiques of justice systems. She has authored/co-authored books like *A Justiça em Laboratório* (2003) and *Filhos da (sua) mãe* (2012), alongside numerous articles in journals such as *Horizontes Antropológicos* and *Crime, Media, Culture*.

Costa actively participates in academic governance, serving on the CES Scientific Council and as co-coordinator of the 'Risk(s), Ecologies, Health' thematic line (2022–2025). She contributes to public engagement through the radio program *Há vidas nesta cidade!* and school outreach activities explaining forensic science and criminal justice. Her work bridges empirical research with policy advocacy, notably with the Portuguese Innocence Project.