Advanced Forensic Technology

Cold cases

One of the first actions of the research group is an inventory of cold cases in the Netherlands. The research group will examine whether or not the initially unusable traces of these unsolved cases can be adapted to new technologies for further research, creating new opportunities to bring these cases to a successful conclusion. This not only applies to murder. New technology can also help in detecting the cause of a fire or an accident.

The research group Advanced Forensic Technology focuses on both the criminal domain (forensic investigation such as murder and manslaughter) and on administrative and civil cases (forensic engineering such as the monster truck drama in Haaksbergen and the crane accident in Alphen a/d Rijn). The research group works closely together with the Nanotechnology research group, which owns advanced microscopes (such as SEM and AFM) and has specific expertise.
"Forensic investigation is so wide-ranging that we collaborate with many other disciplines", says Jaap Knotter, professor Advanced Forensic Technology. "For instance with students of our bachelor programmes on Crime science, Structural Building Engineering and Mechatronics. As IT is becoming more and more important to detect digital traces, it is one of the priorities on our research agenda. Outside Saxion we work with partners such as MESA+, the Psychology programme at the University of Twente, the Twente Safety Campus and the Police Academy."

Relationship research - education

Central research themes in Saxion’s bachelor programme can be put on the research agenda of the research group for in-depth research. This allows the research group to gather new knowledge and expertise, which can be channelled back directly into the curriculum offered.
But the research topics not only arise from education. The research group also wants to serve the broad working field (both in the field of forensic engineering and forensic investigations). As a result the research topics can be very diverse. In order to control and define a clear common thread in its studies, the research group aims for a two-fold mission. In addition to the substantive goal of acquiring more knowledge and to apply advanced technology to improve the detection of accidents and crimes, the research group will choose studies which meet the wishes of the professional practice.