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Partners
- Collaboration in research and development
- Fundamental research
- Applied research
- International
- National Forensic Investigation Team
Collaboration in research and development
The NFI puts great effort into Research & Development (R&D) in order to maintain the high quality of the institute’s work and to continuously improve and update its services. To achieve this aim, the NFI strives to develop its knowledge and expertise. Sometimes it is necessary to bring in expertise and technology from outside the institute. This can concern expertise available at forensic institutes in other countries, new technology, or fundamental scientific knowledge.
The NFI conducts research under its own management, and also works together with third parties for fundamental and applied research.
Fundamental research
For fundamental research, the NFI works together closely with a number of universities. For example, the NFI supports Erasmus University and Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) in a large DNA research programme aimed at obtaining information on geographic origin and externally visible characteristics. The NFI also has a collaborative partnership with the University of Amsterdam and the Hogeschool van Amsterdam.
Applied research
Much of the technology currently used in forensic analysis was originally developed for other purposes. The NFI is actively engaged in this development. To make such technology suitable for forensic examination purposes, the NFI works together with knowledge institutes, such as the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and other similar institutes.
International
Naturally, the NFI also looks beyond the Netherlands’ borders in conducting research. Many methods and applications of expertise are developed within the framework of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) or through direct cooperation with fellow institutes. The NFI will manage the secretariat of ENFSI until 2010. The members of this network use each other’s expertise in special areas of interest such as R&D and quality systems, thereby raising forensic examination to a higher level throughout Europe.
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National Forensic Investigation Team
The NFI also works with the Dutch police and the Ministry of Defence on the instructions of the National Forensic Investigation Team (LTFO). The LTFO brings together expertise in the field of forensic investigation. In the event of a major disaster or a terrorist attack, the Netherlands’ top forensic experts can be summoned at the touch of a button. These specialists form a team of experts who are well attuned to each other, and who are trained in working in large and complex ‘crime scenes’ known as ‘emergency crime scenes’. They carry out their LTFO tasks in addition to their regular work. Management of the LTFO is a task of the National Police Services Agency (KLPD).
