Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute. NFI Academy

Transcription

1 Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute NFI Academy

2 Welcome to the NFI Academy Key to the expertise of The Netherlands Forensic Institute In the context of the increasing importance of forensic evidence, knowledge of the possibilities and limitations of forensic science and the correct use of test results is essential to all professionals involved in the investigation of crimes and the prosecution of suspects. The Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) is an agency of the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice. It comes under the Directorate-General Administration of Justice and Law Enforcement and is one of the world s leading forensic laboratories with expertise in more than forty disciplines. The NFI invests heavily in the development of innovative methods and technologies. It not only perform analyses in actual and potential criminal cases, but also provides advice and education to governments and government agencies. 2 Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute

3 The Netherlands Forensic Institute sees it as one of its key tasks to locate, collate and disseminate the latest forensic knowledge and expertise. Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute 3

4 Sharing knowledge Sharing forensic knowledge is one of the main tasks of the NFI. To this aim the NFI founded the NFI Academy, the customer's key to the NFI s knowledge and expertise. The NFI Academy offers consultancy services, workshops, courses and training programmes at various levels, to a wide range of national and international clients. By sharing our knowledge we contribute to better forensics and a more effective judicial system. Practice and theory The NFI Academy offers practical and theoretical courses and training for professionals involved in law enforcement, crime detection and prosecution. We share our knowledge and expertise with, for example, forensic labs, governments and government agencies such as law enforcement, customs, inspectorates, foreign justice authorities, and special investigative services the police first responders such as the fire brigade and ambulance personnel medical doctors the Public Prosecution Service, judges and criminal lawyers (professional) students in forensic science Key benefits The NFI Academy s courses, workshops and training programmes offer a number of important benefits. For example, they: combine theory and practice As one of the world s foremost forensic laboratories, the NFI delivers tens of thousands of investigations and analyses every year. As a result, the Academy s courses and professional training advice always combine theory and practice. cover the latest developments Forensic science is a highly dynamic field, and new technologies for detection and prosecution are continually becoming available. The NFI is a pioneer in developing and applying such technologies, and the Academy s courses therefore naturally take account of them. range from a broad overview to detailed studies The NFI covers some 40 forensic research disciplines, from toxicology and pathology to digital technology and DNA analysis. As a result, some NFI courses may give participants a general view, while others zoom in on a particular topic. It also means that forensic knowledge from various fields can be tailored to meet specific needs. are taught by experienced practitioners and leading scientists The NFI Academy courses, workshops and training programmes are led by NFI professionals, whose daily jobs also include crime scene investigation or advanced research in the NFI s labs. They can therefore assist in the identification of forensic knowledge that is needed among professionals in the forensic chain. This makes the NFI Academy the appropriate organisation to transfer that knowledge. 4 Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute

5 Practice and theory 'I now know how to preserve trace evidence.' 'I can substantiate a suspicion of child abuse.' 'We have achieved the accreditation required.' 'I now have tools to deal with an increasing demand for forensic science services.' 'Probabilistic reasoning improved the quality of the criminal justice system.' 'I make informed choices when collecting trace evidence.' Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute 5

6 Broad spectrum The NFI Academy's training and courses cover a broad spectrum of fields of forensic expertise that may be organised by six themes: Biological and Medical Substances and Objects Digital and Audiovisual Crime Scene (miscellaneous) and Large Scale Events Quality and Process Management Executive The table on page 7 lists a selection of fields of forensic expertise by theme. Tailor-made solutions The NFI Academy's training and courses always incorporate the NFI s casework, research and development, and its state-of-the-art techniques. Apart from a permanent range of courses, the NFI Academy provides tailor-made solutions. If you face a specific challenge, the NFI Academy may perform a Learning Needs Analysis (LNA) in order to determine the gap between existing and desired skills and knowledge, assess the possible learning solution, and establish the most appropriate delivery format to achieve this solution. This may vary from a workshop or exercise to a single course or series of lectures, at the NFI s purpose-built premises in The Hague or on-site, in The Netherlands or abroad. The NFI Academy translates your demands and wishes into a suitable offer. Accreditation and Lean Six Sigma consultancy The NFI was one of the first European forensic institutes to be accredited. It now provides coaching and consultancy for forensic institutes while they go through their accreditation process. The NFI Academy also offers training in applying Lean Six Sigma methodology, providing tools to improve workflow in a structured manner, without loss of quality and always taking customer needs into account. Certified NFI employees may also provide coaching to institutes that wish to implement Lean Six Sigma methodology to specific projects. International collaboration The NFI Academy works closely together with other organisations, coordinating and / or participating in several internationally organised forensic programmes. It also organises and hosts international conferences on a broad range of forensic topics. State-of-the-art training centre The Netherlands Forensic Institute is housed in state-of-the art, purposebuilt premises in The Hague, The Netherlands, comprising the Main Building and the NFI Field Lab. The latter is a unique facility containing spaces of up to 800 m 2 (4,000 m 3 ), fully equipped with the latest technologies for conducting multidisciplinary exercises and training courses. Users can recreate crime scenes realistically and simulate nuclear, biological and radioactive attacks. As a result, first-responders, police investigators and others can practice their forensic skills and be as prepared as possible for any attack or incident. The NFI Field Lab also houses the CSI Lab, enabling the creation of a digital and virtual representation of a crime scene. 6 Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute

7 A selection of fields of forensic expertise by theme Biological and Medical DNA Hair Analysis Finger Prints Blood Pattern Analysis Forensic Pathology Forensic Medicine Forensic Paediatrics Forensic Anthropology Forensic Archaeology Substances and Objects Drugs Environmental Forensics Fire Scene Investigation Fire Debris Analysis Explosives Explosion investigation Fireworks Quality and Process Management Quality Assurance Chain of Evidence Coaching in Quality Assurance Procedures Training in Lean Six Sigma Methodology Coaching Lean Six Sigma Projects Crime Scene (miscellaneous) and Large Scale Events CBRN Incidents Forensic Awareness Scene of Crime Investigation Reconstruction of Crime Scenes Road Accident Analysis Toxicology Animal, Plant and Soil Traces Firearms Ballistics Gunshot residue Glass Paint Digital and audiovisual Executive Tool Marks Shoe and Foot Marks Tire Marks Digital Imaging Speech and Audio Analysis Forensic Governance Textiles and Fibres Digital Investigation Data Analysis Handwriting Documents Forensic Knot Analysis Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute 7

8 'The way the programme combined theory and practice, both of the NFI and fellow participants, was particularly relevant to me' D. Saint-Dizier, Head of the Scientific Department, the National Police Forensic Science Institute in France. 8 Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute

9 Courses in the spotlight The NFI Academy's courses, workshops and training programmes are suitable for qualified professionals as well as professionals in training, ranging from executives to first-responders and from prosecutors to investigators. Examples of the NFI Academy's international courses and projects include our programme on Forensic Governance, our tailor-made Forensic Awareness training and our participation in the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Risk Mitigation Initiative. EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Risk Mitigation Initiative Two projects are currently carried out in the framework of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Risk Mitigation Initiative. These projects will be implemented by a Dutch consortium consisting of the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), The Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). The NFI Academy coordinates workshops and training sessions. Inter-Agency CBRN Response Programme The goal of this project is to jointly develop and strengthen inter-agency networks of experts and leaders active in the field of CBRN response at the national and regional levels, and train them in developing CBRN response capabilities. Main activities and expected results are: The joint development and strengthening of national and regional CBRN response networks. Training activities aimed at jointly developing an exercise methodology to improve CBRN response capabilities. A digital multimedia platform to share best practices and results. A large regional tabletop exercise in Integrated Multi-Perspective Methodology to Assess Risks of CBRN Misuse The goal of this two-year project is to jointly develop and teach a methodology that will help countries make a national threat and risk assessment of CBRN misuse. The methodology will be based on the Dutch national risk assessment methodology, which was designated as international best practice by the OECD in Main activities and expected results are: Gathering and analysing existing risk assessment capabilities in each partner country. Joint development of threat and risk assessment methodology and country-specific variants. A training programme on the use of the methodology at the national level. A web-based dissemination platform to promote data sharing. For more information go to Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute 9

10 Forensic Governance Innovation, backlogs and delivery times demand growth, new science and technologies. To get the most out of their resources, forensic organisations need to become more transparent, predictable and professional. Appropriate knowledge and tools are needed to make this transition. That is why The Netherlands Forensics Institute organises a unique executive course for leaders and managers responsible for strengthening their forensic organisations. The inspiring programme touches upon themes and challenges that are relevant to their day-to-day work and enables executives to lead their institute to a new level of professionalism. Best Practices Subjects include industry trends, personal leadership, efficiency though Lean Six Sigma, innovation and stakeholder management, as well as new business models and service level agreements. The programme marries thought leadership and best practices from forensic organisations and beyond. It combines theory and practice and shows that forensic organisations face similar challenges, irrespective of geographic location or stage of development. Insights The Forensic Governance Executive Programme deals with more than forensics. Taught by experts from various management, science and business disciplines, the course offers profound insights and cuttingedge knowledge. It enables professionals to look at their organisation from a fresh perspective and come up with creative solutions to innovation and change. For more information go to Forensic Awareness How to investigate the scene of an incident, or provide first aid at a potential crime scene, without destroying forensic traces? When forensic awareness and a cooperation structure are lacking at the scene, opportunities may be missed to solve a crime, to prosecute offenders and to clear the innocent of all blame. The NFI Academy offers tailor-made training that focuses on developing forensic knowledge and skills for performing forensic examinations in small and large-scale incidents in addition to the provision of first-line assistance and first aid. Interactive training Focus may, for instance, be on gaining practical knowledge on forensic examinations in general, creating awareness of the presence of forensic (CBRN) traces, protecting or collecting these traces, and gaining knowledge on safety and security requirements. Oral presentations may be combined with an interactive table top exercise and / or advanced computer simulation and 3 dimensional virtual games. Training on forensic awareness may be developed for: First responders (police, fire brigade, medical assistance, public health and environmental officials, military staff, forensic investigators) Policy makers Decision makers Prosecutors and judges Nuclear and forensic scientists For more information go to 10 Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute

11 Contact Do you want to know more about the NFI Academy? Please contact us at or at For more information about the NFI Academy's training programmes and courses, visit our website at Knowledge for a successful forensic chain provided by The Netherlands Forensic Institute 11

12 Published by: Netherlands Forensic Institute Ministry of Security and Justice PO Box AA The Hague The Netherlands t Rijksoverheid, November 2013