Independent and reliable forensic examinations are essential for a safe and just society. The Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) is the Dutch national institute for complex and multidisciplinary forensic science, and a government centre for innovation and knowledge sharing in this field.

We are based in The Hague and cover nearly forty different areas of forensic science. Our researchers and experts work on DNA analysis, shooting reconstructions, forensic autopsies, and decrypting digital information from encrypted phones, among other tasks. With tens of thousands of forensic cases each year, and through innovation and knowledge sharing, we contribute to establishing the truth in criminal investigations, both in the Netherlands and internationally. What do traces tell about what happened at a crime scene? We base our work on the latest scientific insights. Our mission is:

As an agency of the Ministry of Justice and Security, our main tasks are:

Carrying out forensic examinations

From microscopic traces such as fibres, glass, and blood, to illegal drug labs and large datasets: our answers to forensic questions make a difference in court and support the work of law enforcement. We carry out examinations for the police, the Public Prosecution Service, the judiciary, and other investigative agencies, as well as for international organisations such as the United Nations.

Read more about our areas of expertise.

Developing and improving examination methods

We work to meet the growing demand for more, better, and faster (complex) forensic examinations. We do this by continuously investing in knowledge and innovation and responding to current societal, technological, and scientific developments. Together with our partners, universities of applied sciences, and universities, we develop new software, techniques and tools, and ensure that our partners can use them as well. This keeps us ready for the forensic challenges of tomorrow.

Read more about science & innovation.

Being an (inter)national centre for knowledge and expertise

As a government knowledge institution (RKI), we build, document, and share forensic knowledge. We organise and support training courses and other forms of knowledge exchange for professionals in the criminal justice chain. In addition, we monitor new developments in different forensic sience areas and highlight them where necessary.

Read more about our training & courses.