The DNA sample you send to a database to find out more about your ancestry, the street cameras that watch your movements, the pictures and information you put on your social media. What can happen with this data behind the forensic scenes? In this minor we will take you behind those forensic scenes in three projects:

DNA data(bases)
In this project, you will dive into the latest developments in the world of DNA data(bases). You’ll take on a role as a policy advisor that has to inform the Dutch government how to deal with these developments in a forensic context. You’ll critically evaluate the benefits, limitations and dilemmas that come with one of these developments to be able to formulate an advice. What can or should we implement right away? What looks promising, but is still in its infancy so not ready to be applied in real-life forensic cases?

Open Source Intelligence
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is the process of collecting, processing and analysing data from (semi-)publicly available sources. In this project, the focus is on online sources and digital data. The amount of data that is being pushed on to the internet every second of every day is immense nowadays. How can you use this information to your advantage in a forensic context? That is what we will show you in this project.

You will step into the role of a (digital) OSINT investigator and explore a range of tools, methods, and techniques to collect, process and analyse data efficiently and effectively. You will learn how to create a sound investigative strategy, ensure operational security, properly document your process and findings, and address ethical concerns. You will also focus on verifying, preserving, and analysing digital data to draw reliable conclusions that can be used in forensic investigations.

Forensic Biometrics
Biometrics is the measurement and analysis of unique physical (and sometimes behavioural) characteristics as a means of identification. In this project, we focus specifically on three biometric categories that are especially relevant in the current societal and scientific (forensic) context: gait, face, and fingerprints. What are different methods, tools, and techniques within these biometric categories? What are the (potential) benefits, limitations and (forensic) impact of their use to identify suspects? Taking on the role of scientific researcher, you will dive into the literature to answer these questions. This allows you to identify areas within existing research where there is an absence or insufficient coverage of your topic (‘gaps’). You will choose one such gap that you think should be filled to further enhance scientific practice, and set up and conduct an experiment to contribute to filling that gap. 

Things to keep in mind when choosing this minor:

• The minor involves you doing a lot of research.
• You will conduct a lot of this research in an interdisciplinary project team.
• The research skills you develop in this minor are useful in the forensic field and (way) beyond.
• You won’t be doing laboratory or crime scene investigation work.
• Various experts from the field tell you about their work and/or research almost weekly in guest lectures.
• All educational activities (classes, assignments) and study materials are in English.
• You are expected to come to our campus in Amsterdam two times a week (on average).
• The minor is full time. 
• The digital learning environment Brightspace is used for communication. Please subscribe to the Brightspace page before the minor starts.

Project DNA data(bases)

After this project, you can:

• Understand the fundamental principles of DNA and its application in forensic investigations, including its advantages and limitations within the context of the Dutch legal system;
• Apply the CRAAP test to select reliable and relevant sources that meet the necessary quality standards for your research;
• Formulate evidence-based recommendations on the use of DNA data in the judicial system, supported by logical reasoning and evidence from reliable sources;
• Communicate research findings and arguments clearly, persuasively, and coherently;
• Reflect on the contributions of team members and provide constructive feedback on their behavior and products.

Project OSINT

After this project, you can:

• Identify relevant security risks in your OSINT investigation and develop a strategy with appropriate measures that address these risks without causing unnecessary hinderance to your investigative aims;
• Develop a structured investigative process that integrates relevant and feasible OSINT tools, methods, and sources to achieve your investigative aims;
• Weigh ethical concerns against investigative interests to make informed decisions in an OSINT-investigation;
• Systematically search for information in digital open sources by applying advanced search techniques, tools, and methods, identifying the most suitable strategies tailored to the investigative objectives;
• Preserve collected digital data by maintaining its authenticity, accessibility, and usability over time, ensuring it remains independently understandable and suitable for use in legal proceedings;
• Process and analyse collected information by reviewing and interpreting it to develop substantive findings that support decision-making and case-building;
• Verify the accuracy and validity of online information by systematically assessing the source, the digital item, and the content, and comparing them for consistency;
• Divide tasks strategically between investigators to avoid unnecessary duplication while ensuring comprehensive coverage of all investigative steps;
• Maintain a log of all steps taken during your OSINT investigation to ensure transparency and traceability in both the investigation process and the integrity of the data;
• Present your findings, insights and conclusions in a client-focused written report that includes safeguards to minimize security risks.

Project Biometrics

After this project, you can:

• Describe the current state of knowledge on a specific, forensically biometric relevant topic based on literature, to identify gaps in existing research;
• Formulate a specific research question based on the identified gaps in existing research;
• Evaluate the reliability and relevance of information you find during your research within a forensic context;
• Select appropriate research methods to design an experimental study that is feasible and ethical; 
• Collect data from an experiment and employ statistical techniques to analyse this data;
• Report about research you conducted in a correct, coherent, and concise way, in an oral form.

Admission rules of the Teaching and Examination Regulations (TER) of your own programme apply. The minor is open to students from all educational backgrounds, no specific prior knowledge is required. Students with no background in (forensic) science and/or biology are offered additional materials to catch up on some basics. Since the minor is in English, at least some affinity with this language is desirable.

To improve your knowledge about the project topics, you will individually dive into different types of materials such as scientific articles, book chapters, videos, etc. (Links to) These materials will be made available via Brightspace. You can also find (links to) all the relevant materials and information there. Please subscribe to the Brightspace page before the minor starts. You can access Brightspace via: https://dlo.mijnhva.nl/. To log in, use your AUAS (= HvA) email address and corresponding password. If you do not see the minor as a course yet, navigate to the Course Selector. Search for the course: ‘Forensic Research Skills’. Make sure to select the page for the right semester.

The timetable will be available via rooster.hva.nl, no later than two weeks before the start of the minor.

Contact time: We meet twice a week on campus (circa 8 hours in total). There will be lectures from the minor team, but also guest lectures from experts from the (forensic) field, and tutorials and workshops in which we work on the assignments. Together with the study materials, the classes help you gain knowledge and skills, as well as provide the necessary guidelines for conducting your research. It is therefore vital you are present at all classes.

30 ECTS. The assessment of this minor consists of 1 test per project for which you receive a grade (0-10). These tests are:

• DNA data(bases): Policy recommendations
• OSINT: Written research report 
• Biometrics: Poster presentation 

To receive the 30 ECTS for this minor, you need to get a grade of ≥5.5 for each of the projects. 

There is one resit opportunity for all projects per semester. For the final project, the resit opportunity falls outside the semester in which you take the minor, and is offered within the next month.

If a student fails to successfully complete the minor in the period in which they took the minor, it is possible to finalise the minor in a following period in which the minor is given. If a minor is no longer offered or if the minor has been rewritten, the degree program will offer the student two further opportunities to finalise this minor the following year.

Questions about the minor?
Contact minor-frs-ft@hva.nl.
Contact Brent Maagdelijn: b.p.maagdelijn@hva.nl

Questions about the Kies-Op-Maat procedure?
Contact: Monique Ax-Bervoets, Christian van Dokkum  minoren-techniek@hva.nl

Applications will be processed in the order of the receipt of signed learning agreements. There are 15 places available for Kies op Maat students.