NRGD Annual report 2024

Since its establishment in 2010, the NRGD has worked closely with practitioners to standardise and open 13 areas of expertise, covering a total of 20 subfields:

• Forensic Psychiatry, Psychology, and Orthopedagogy, with four subfields
• DNA analysis and interpretation, with three subfields
• Handwriting Analysis
• Narcotics, with two subfields
• Toxicology
• Forensic Firearms and Ammunition Examination
• Assessment under the Dutch Weapons and Ammunition Act
• Forensic Pathology
• Digital Forensic Investigation, with six subfields
• Legal Psychology, with three subfields
• Forensic Medical Examination, with two subfields
• Gunshot Residue Examination
• Forensic Financial Investigation

Forensic Financial Investigation (FFO)

At the end of 2024, FFO was formally opened for registration, resulting in the registration of the first six experts. The initial assessment involved a cluster-based evaluation of substantive experts. Furthermore, collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Institute of Chartered Accountants (NBA) was intensified. Discussions focused on aligning professional practice with register requirements and ensuring continued development of expertise. This strengthens FFO’s position within the judiciary.

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA)

BPA experts examine the location, size, shape, orientation, and distribution of bloodstains to help reconstruct events at a crime scene. The standardisation process for this field began in 2023. In mid-2024, a pilot assessment was carried out using anonymised real-world reports and prospective assessors, to test the completeness of the assessment framework. The pilot was successful, prompting the Board to approve the framework and formally appoint the assessors. In early 2025, the assessors will conduct peer reviews after which the field will be opened for regular applications as the 14th area of expertise in the register.

Legal Psychology

In 2024, the NRGD took part in the annual conference of the European Association of Psychology and Law (EAPL), gaining up-todate insights into recent scientific developments within the field.

Forensic Medical Examination (FMO)

The first forensic physicians were registered in this field in 2022. Uniquely, Dutch forensic physicians examine both the living and the deceased. This makes it a complex area of expertise, encompassing external autopsies, injury assessments, evaluations in cases of sexual assault, the collection of bodily materials, and the care of detainees. The field of forensic medical examination (FMO), as defined by the NRGD, is initially limited to injury assessment and sexual offence evaluation through the forensic interpretation and reporting of medical findings. This applies to both the living and the deceased, and to both adults and minors.

As of January 2024, peer review — a substantive assessment by fellow professionals — is mandatory. Every report issued from that date must undergo this review process.

In addition, the NFI training programme for forensic physicians has been officially recognised, allowing successful candidates to register through an administrative procedure only.

Ad Hoc Expertise

“Feedback improves quality” was the clear conclusion from the evaluation of the Ad Hoc tools. Both experts and reviewers confirmed that receiving feedback contributes significantly to improving the quality of expert reports.

Four tools are publicly available on the NRGD website:

• Expert organisations overview
• Appointment questionnaire
• Reporting guideline
• E-learning module

Because the tools are freely available, it is difficult to monitor who uses them and how users benefit from them. The fifth tool, report feedback, allows experts to request feedback via the NRGD from an experienced assessor on the clarity and consistency of their report.

Since the launch, a total of 27 feedback requests have been processed. Almost all of these were submitted to the NRGD via the national police expert liaison (LDM). After each request, both the expert and the feedback provider were asked to complete an evaluation. The responses showed a high level of satisfaction. Experts indicated that the feedback helped them produce higher-quality reports. Feedback providers noted that they found it interesting to review reports from less familiar fields of expertise and appreciated the opportunity to help experts improve their reporting. Those experts who had used the other Ad Hoc tools also expressed great satisfaction with them.

Recognitions

The NRGD’s policy allows for the recognition of training programmes that demonstrably meet high quality standards. This recognition is granted with care: programmes undergo regular audits—initially, after two years, and then every five years—by an independent review committee. An NRGD delegate sits on the examination board, ensuring independence, safeguarding quality, and holding veto rights. Recognised programmes are also required to submit regular progress reports.

In 2023 and 2024, several NFI programmes were reviewed, resulting in the recognition of four fields of expertise: DNA, Forensic Pathology, Drugs, and Forensic Medical Examination (FMO).

Another example is the two-year Pro Justitia training programme offered by the Netherlands Institute for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (NIFP). Modernised and recognised by the NRGD in 2019, the programme benefits from continued NRGD representation on its examination board. This ensures that newly trained experts meet the required quality standards and are automatically registered for a two-year period. In 2024, the second cohort was reviewed and confirmed to meet the statutory quality requirements.

Radiology

Forensic Radiology forms part of post-mortem forensic investigations. Imaging may be used in cases where the circumstances of death are suspicious, helping to determine whether further investigation into the cause of death is necessary. It can also be performed at the request of a pathologist as part of a judicial autopsy.

In early 2024, the Standardisation Advisory Committee began developing standards for Forensic Radiology. Following a series of in-person and online meetings, a draft version is now nearly complete and will be published for public consultation in early 2025.

The judiciary has repeatedly expressed the need for properly qualified experts not only in criminal law, but also in civil and administrative proceedings. However, the NRGD’s current legal mandate is limited to criminal law under the Dutch Code of Criminal Procedure. Expanding this mandate would require a legislative amendment.

Despite considerable efforts, it has become clear that there is currently insufficient capacity at the department of Justice to develop the legislation needed to broaden the NRGD’s scope to other areas of law.

Mediation

On 6 July 2022, the Dutch House of Representatives adopted the Ellian and Knops motion, calling on the government to support the development of a central register for mediators.

Mediation plays an increasingly important role in resolving disputes. Current legislation allows courts to refer suitable cases to mediation, strengthening its public role and positioning it as a legitimate alternative to litigation. To promote public trust and use of mediation, the government must provide sufficient quality assurance—an argument in favour of legal regulation.

Given its expertise in setting and safeguarding quality standards, the Ministry of Justice and Security asked the NRGD to explore the possibility of including mediators in its register. The NRGD responded positively and has expressed its willingness to take on this task if officially requested. A business plan was submitted to the Ministry in 2024.

This development aligns with the broader ambition to create a quality register that serves the entire judiciary. Further clarity on this potential expansion is expected in 2025.

The NRGD strives to carry out its responsibilities as efficiently as possible, continuously identifying bottlenecks both internally and externally and seeking opportunities for improvement. Internally, a key challenge is limited staffing capacity—just 11 FTE—already under pressure due to the register’s expansion. Since 2019, five new fields of expertise have been added, each requiring ongoing maintenance.

Externally, the NRGD faces growing legal and regulatory demands. These are conveyed through applicants, assessors, partners within the criminal justice system, and occasionally via the media.

Examples of organisational constraints

• In 2019, the NRGD received additional funding to support expansion of the register. Since then, five new fields of expertise have been added, placing increasing pressure on available staff capacity.
• Efficiency improvements are being pursued through digitalisation, such as the use of translation software provided by the Ministry of Justice and Security, which reduces reliance on costly external agencies.
• The recognition of training programmes also helps to reduce the administrative workload.
• By the end of 2026, all government bodies must reach an information maturity level of at least 3 or 4. The NRGD is currently at level 2. Achieving the required level will demand additional resources.
• Other legal obligations include compliance with the Archives Act, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Open Government Act (Woo), the Digital Government Act, and national security standards (BIO).
• Broader advisory responsibilities are also expanding, such as the 2018 Ministry vision that tasked the NRGD with safeguarding quality in an increasingly diverse forensic research landscape. As the scale and complexity of forensic technical investigations continue to grow, the NRGD must also expand its capacity to maintain quality and fulfil its essential role in the justice system.

The process of modernising the Dutch Code of Criminal Procedure (Wetboek van Strafvordering, WvSv) began in 2014. The current Code, dating back to 1926, is outdated. Each article has been reviewed to determine what amendments are needed.

The NRGD has contributed to discussions on the regulation of experts within the revised WvSv. It is part of an expert group exploring how the current legal framework for the use of experts can be improved. The draft legislation now includes provisions that allow additional requirements for specialised investigations to be set by governmental decree (AMvB).

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops global standards that promote clarity and consistency between producers and users of products or services. This is particularly relevant in forensic science, which spans evidence collection, trace analysis, interpretation of results, and report writing.

Fifteen countries actively contributed to the development of a dedicated ISO guideline for forensic science. In the Netherlands, the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), the police, the Public Prosecution Service (OM), and the NRGD were involved in drafting these new standards.

In autumn 2024, draft ISO standards were adopted, covering procedures at crime scenes, laboratory practices, interpretation, and reporting. These standards are not legally binding unless voluntarily adopted or incorporated into national legislation. The Dutch organisations involved are committed to demonstrating how these standards can contribute to improved forensic quality.

In October 2024, the NRGD was invited to present its approach to implementing the new ISO standards in the Netherlands at the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) meeting in Malta.

The use of experts in criminal proceedings is a critical concern for all parties involved. Defendants often face difficulties in finding and appointing appropriate experts. Research on this issue has been limited, and awareness of the NRGD among defendants and their legal counsel remains low.

To explore this further, Maastricht University and the NRGD carried out a joint study examining how the defence approaches expert involvement and what role the NRGD might play in this process. The findings were published in 2025 in the Nederlands Juristenblad (Dutch Journal of Jurisprudence).

From 7 to 10 March 2024, the NRGD took part in the “Forensic Masterclasses Davos,” a conference for Pro Justitia reporters. Key topics included communication and the importance of using consistent language in criminal proceedings, particularly considering recent case law. The NRGD also attended a related session organised by the Rotterdam Court and the Netherlands Institute for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (NIFP).

In addition, the NRGD participated in the Pro Justitia Reporters’ Day and hosted an evening seminar for the NIFP, focusing on registration procedures, assessment practices, and expectations for (re)applicants.

These events play an important role in staying closely connected to developments in the field.

The NRGD aims to keep stakeholders informed about developments in forensic expertise and research. To support this, weekly updates are shared on LinkedIn, where the number of followers grew to nearly 1,700 in 2024.

Interviews were conducted with Board members, experts from newly standardised fields, PhD candidates, and other professionals.

The NRGD actively contributes to an inter-agency project group dedicated to strengthening the resilience of experts facing growing levels of abuse, threats, and intimidation. Participants in the group include the NIFP, NFI, LDM, LRGD, STAB, and NIVRE. A follow-up study is planned, which will include a survey conducted by Ipsos. A subsidy request will be submitted to support this initiative.

In recent years, substantial policy development has taken place, procedures have been formalised, and IT systems have been implemented. Throughout this process, the organisation has maintained a dual focus: reinforcing its strengths and addressing areas in need of improvement.

To ensure a solid policy framework, the Internal Rules and Appointment Regulations were revised in 2024. Where possible, the two were consolidated, updated to reflect current practice, and modernised in both language and structure.

In 2023, Cito (Dutch Institute for Testing and Examinations) advised the NRGD on optimising its assessment methodology. While confirming that the current format meets the NRGD’s needs, Cito identified opportunities to enhance the transparency and comparability of individual evaluations.

In collaboration with Cito—and later a dedicated project team—a revised Advice Evaluation Form (AEF) model and a new assessor guideline were developed. Implementation is scheduled for 2025.

In 2024, changes were made to the composition of the Board. Mr Bakker stepped down as Chair at the end of his second term, and Mr Knoester concluded his tenure in 2023 as the representative of the legal profession, also following the end of his second term. Two new members were appointed in 2024:

• Mr H. van den Heuvel (LLM, BA) was appointed Chair of the Board by the Minister of Justice and Security, effective 1 January 2024. His previous roles include vice-president in the administrative and criminal law divisions of the Rotterdam District Court, senior judge at The Hague Court of Appeal, and, since 2025, senior criminal judge in Rotterdam. He also serves as national chair of the Expert Group on Forensic Expertise, chair of the training court for NFI expert trainees, and lectures at The Training and Study Centre for the Judiciary (SSR) and NFI.
• Ms B. (Brigitte) Roodveldt (LLM) is a criminal defence lawyer based in Zaandam, registered in both criminal law and juvenile criminal law. She is also active in forensic mental health and victims’ rights advocacy. In addition, she serves on the North Holland Bar Council and acts as dean.

In 2024, the NRGD processed a total of 160 applications across 13 fields of expertise: 90 re-registrations and 70 initial registrations. Six applications were rejected, four of which were in the field of Forensic Psychiatry, Psychology, and Orthopedagogy (FPPO). Due to internal organisational adjustments, a temporary backlog occurred but was resolved by the end of the year.

A total of 42 applications were submitted through the fast-track procedure: 31 from FPPO and 11 from the NFI, based on training programme recognition.

The average processing time in 2023 was approximately three months, while fast-track applications were completed within one month.

Appeals

In 2024, two objections were filed, both concerning conditional re-registrations. One case was resolved during the year: the objection was dismissed. In both instances, the Board followed the recommendations of the advisory committee

Litigation

One appeal case remained pending at the end of 2024. A court ruling is expected in spring 2025.

Complaints

No complaints were received in 2024.

Notifications

Five notifications concerning registered experts were received in 2024:

• Two were not processed, as related proceedings were still pending before the judiciary or a disciplinary tribunal.
• One was resolved through an alternative procedure.
• One involved a disciplinary disqualification pending appeal, leading to a suspended NRGD registration.
• One case is scheduled for review in 2025

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Requests

In 2024, the NRGD received and processed one GDPR access request.

Open Government Act Requests

The NRGD did not receive any requests under the Open Government Act (Woo).

“My NRGD”

The entire registration process—from application to final Board decision—has been fully digitised. A new online portal, My NRGD, will enable applicants to monitor the progress of their application and update their personal information. The portal is scheduled to launch in 2025.

GDPR Compliance

In 2024, the NRGD completed a self-assessment of its privacy management and achieved maturity level 3—an improvement from level 2 in 2022—thus meeting the Ministry’s requirements. Staff also took part in the “How alert are you?” awareness campaign.

Archives Act

The archive was fully digitised in 2023. All incoming paper correspondence is scanned upon receipt, after which the physical documents are destroyed.

Open Government Act (Woo)

In 2024, the NRGD met its obligation to proactively disclose the first five categories of information under the Open Government Act (Woo). The information is published through the Woo Index, with links directing to the NRGD website.

IT Infrastructure

The NRGD website is hosted on the Dutch Government Online Platform, complies with archiving regulations, and meets national internet requirements.

Workstations are provided by the Shared Service Center for ICT (SSC-ICT), the central ICT provider for the Ministry of Justice and Security in the Netherlands. These operate within the secure Justice network. All applications comply with the required security and privacy standards, with access monitored by the SSC-ICT Security Operations Centre (SOC).

KleinLef

As a small organisation, the NRGD can access specialised expertise through the KleinLef pool. KleinLef is a collaborative network of 40 smaller government organisations that share and exchange knowledge. The NRGD both contributes to and benefits from this network. For example, it participates in the pool of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and has expressed interest in joining the planned pool of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). The NRGD handed over the KleinLef chairmanship on 31 December 2024 after holding the role for seven years.

WODC Research

In 2024, the NRGD contributed to a research project conducted by the Research and Documentation Centre (WODC) on “Public Registers in the Justice & Security Sector and the Judiciary in Relation to Data Protection.” The study was commissioned by both the Council for the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice and Security and is expected to be completed in 2025.