NFI and ICMP to collaborate on global missing persons challenge

The Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) and the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will make it possible for the two organizations to collaborate more closely.

Under the agreement, which was signed by the Director-General of the Dutch ministry of Security and Justice, and ICMP Director-General Kathryne Bomberger, the two organizations will cooperate on joint project proposals, provide mutual support in field operations and collaborate on rule-of-law programs that require forensic expertise and training. This builds on a strong relationship that has been developed over a period of years.

"ICMP is a very experienced institution with an outstanding reputation,” said Kees Möhring, NFI Director of External Relations. “It is a specialist in using DNA methods for identification. DNA is also a specialty of the NFI, both for identification purposes and forensic purposes. Combining the skills and expertise of ICMP and the NFI will create innovative breakthroughs from which the international law enforcement community can benefit.”

Benefit

“This agreement creates a space in which the two organizations can really benefit from one another’s strengths,” said Kathryne Bomberger. “As ICMP continues its global effort to assist countries address missing persons cases from conflict, human rights abuses, disasters and migration throughout the world, we very much look forward to collaborating with the NFI.”

NFI is the oldest and most broadly-oriented forensic research institute in the Netherlands. It facilitates effective law enforcement and administration of justice from a scientific perspective.

ICMP headquarters

ICMP recently signed a headquarters agreement with the Netherlands and is in the process of transitioning its seat to The Hague. In December 2014, ICMP became a treaty-based organization and is recognized as the only international organization exclusively dedicated to accounting for those who have gone missing as a result of armed conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, migration and crime.