The interface between forensic science and technology how technology could cause a paradigm shift in the role of forensic institutes in the criminal justice system

In this paper, the importance of modern technol. in forensic investigations is discussed. Recent technol. developments are creating new possibilities to perform robust scientific measurements and studies outside the controlled lab. environment. The benefits of real-​time, on-​site forensic investigations are manifold and such technol. has the potential to strongly increase the speed and efficacy of the criminal justice system. However, such benefits are only realized when quality can be guaranteed at all times and findings can be used as forensic evidence in court. At the Netherlands Forensic Institute, innovation efforts are currently undertaken to develop integrated forensic platform solns. that allow for the forensic investigation of human biol. traces, the chem. identification of illicit drugs and the study of large amts. of digital evidence. These platforms enable field investigations, yield robust and validated evidence and allow for forensic intelligence and targeted use of expert capacity at the forensic institutes. This technol. revolution in forensic science could ultimately lead to a paradigm shift in which a new role of the forensic expert emerges as developer and custodian of integrated forensic platforms.