'Vision on innovation' published in Science and Justice
Scientist Arian van Asten from the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) has written a vision on innovation in forensic laboratories. This vision was recently published in the leading scientific journal Science and Justice. In the article - based on his speech - Van Asten explains which factors could give direction to forensic innovation.
Woldwide, forensic laboratories are confronted with long delivery times. In the United States, these delivery times sometimes amount to two years. "In the past few months, the NFI has succeeded in reducing the waiting times for investigation results, on the basis of product agreements, process optimisation, and innovation."
Choices
In the article, Van Asten states that forensic laboratories should not wish to investigate everything. The police and the judicial authorities must make choices that result in reliable, relevant forensic information that is of maximum value to the investigation. "Forensic laboratories should consider this their core task. Innovation should also be focused on this aspect," he says.
Five factors
Van Asten proposed five factors on the basis of which forensic laboratories should decide whether they wish to invest in a specific innovation project.
The innovation should:
- result in stronger evidentiary value
- result in relevant information
- ensure fewer mistakes and therefore increased quality
- result in the faster delivery of investigation results
- reduce the costs of the case investigation
Clients and Science
Van Asten also argues in favour of identifying what the specific needs of clients are, in the first place, and actively engaging partners in the chain in the process of forensic innovation. "Forensic experts should furthermore be continually on the look out for new scientific and technological developments that offer a great deal of forensic potential."