NFI scientist appointed endowed professor
Prof. dr. Didier Meuwly, who is employed as a principal scientist by the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), has been appointed endowed professor of forensic biometrics. He will hold this position part time at the Services, Cybersecurity and Safety Research Group of the Centre for Telematics and Information Technology (CITT) of the University of Twente (UT).
The concerted research programme of the UT and the NFI focuses on fingerprint recognition and the application of biometrics in forensic cases.
Evidence
Forensic Biometrics can be used for the individualisation and identification of persons. Biometric evidence, such as fingerprints, camera images, and wiretapped conversations may be of importance to the provision of evidence in criminal cases.
Automatic interpretation method
Meuwly's aim is to develop a validated automatic interpretation method for biometric evidence. This evidence is currently interpreted by experts on the basis of their knowledge and experience.
Statistics increase objectiveness
An automatic method is based on statistics, as a result of which the investigation result can be represented in figures. This increases the objectivity of the investigation and makes it easier to represent the evidentiary value when various investigation results are combined.
Guidelines
Meuwly is currently working out guidelines for the validation of the new interpretation method on the one hand, and the privacy of the biometric data used, on the other hand.
Scientific programme
NFI's scientific programme is expanded further by Meuwly's professorship. In the area of biometrics, the University of Twente is one of the larger academic institutions in Western Europe. Within the scope of its scientific programme, the NFI is working on the latest scientific insights and innovations in forensic case investigation and criminal investigation.
The NFI does this to make external knowledge, expertise, and research capacity available for forensic investigation. Intensive co-operation has been established with forensic partners in the chain (such as the police and the Public Prosecution Service), academic knowledge institutions, and high-tech companies.
Six endowed professors
Endowed faculty positions are essential to establish co-operations with the best universities and to build an academic forensic research programme in the Netherlands. Six NFI employees currently hold positions as endowed professors.