UvA, AMC and NFI Establish Virtual Expertise Centre for Innovation
The University of Amsterdam (UvA), the Academic Medical Centre (AMC), and the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) officially established the Co van Ledden Hulsebosch Centrum (CLHC) on 13 September 2013. The CLHC is a joint virtual and interdisciplinary expertise centre for forensic innovation.
Within the CLHC, relevant scientific insights and research methods of the AMC and the UvA are linked to the challenges and opportunities in the forensic field of work. It is CLHC’s mission to become the figurehead of forensic scientific research in the Netherlands.
Prof. Dr. Arian van Asten, attached to both the NFI and the UvA, and Prof. Dr. Maurice Aalders, attached to both the AMC and the UvA, together constitute the CLHC’s board of directors.
Working Together on Innovation
The techniques used in forensic investigation were often initially used for other purposes. In order to be able to continue to innovate, it is therefore essential for the NFI to work closely together with universities, companies, and knowledge institutes.
Spectral Camera Dates Blood Spatters
In the past, cooperation with Prof. Dr. Maurice Aalders of the AMC resulted in, for example, the applicability of a spectral camera for the recognition and dating of blood on the crime scene. Aalders initially developed the camera to date bruises. During joint brainstorm sessions with the NFI, it was figured out in what other ways the camera could contribute to forensic investigation, and the use of the camera in the analysis of blood spatters was developed further.
More Accurate Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Another example is the study currently conducted by the NFI in cooperation with the UvA concerning a method to calculate the influence of gravity and air drag on the trajectory of a blood spatter. This is a method which makes it possible to perform a more accurate bloodstain pattern analysis.
Joint Forensic Research Agenda
With the establishment of the CLHC, the UvA, the AMC, and the NFI intend to start many more of such joint research projects in the future. In order to realize this, a single forensic research agenda will be drawn up on the basis of the input from all partners. This agenda will be the basis for the ‘intermediary role’ that will be played by the CLHC: linking the most suitable scientists to the right studies.
Cooperation Agreement
The cooperation agreement for the establishment of the CLHC was signed by UvA’s President of the Executive Board Louise Gunning, AMC’s President of the Executive Board Marcel Levi, and NFI’s Chief Executive Officer Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi.
Establishment and Inaugural Lectures to be Seen Live
Directly after the establishment of the CLHC, Prof. Dr. Arian van Asten and Prof. Dr. Maurice Aalders delivered their inaugural lectures. Everything could be seen live online.