From holograms to case file analysis: students investigate actual cold cases
Can students solve cold cases? In the elective courses ‘Introduction to Cold Cases’ and ‘Cold Cases’, theory is combined with practice and students investigate actual police files. 'Hopefully, we can add a fresh perspective to investigations.'
Cold cases sometimes call for extraordinary measures. One such case involved the murder of 19-year-old Hungarian sex worker Bernadett 'Betty' Szabó in 2009. In a last-ditch attempt to solve the crime, police in Amsterdam placed a life-size, moving hologram of Betty in the Red Light District with a timeline of her life. Naomi Goldstoff and Wendy Koper, forensic investigators from the Amsterdam Forensic Investigation Service, worked on the hologram project. On 3 February 2026, they gave a guest lecture to students about their experiences with cold case investigations.
The guest lecture was part of the elective course ‘Cold Cases’, where academics and professionals from the field tell students about the world of cold cases in seven lectures. Students examine real-life cases and learn about the challenges experts face when attempting to solve a crime. For example, during their lecture on 3 February, Goldstoff and Koper shared details of a cold case investigation into the murder of three women by Sjonny W from Amsterdam.
Thinking out-of-the-box
The details of the case made a big impression on the students. 'Normally you only see this kind of thing in a detective series on TV,' Yara Smits says. 'Coming so close to a real-life murder case is really fascinating,' adds Roos Hofman: 'It’s amazing to see all the details that build the case and to be included in the process of detectives thinking out-of-the-box.'
‘'By hearing how things work in practice, you get so much more information’
Both master’s students are currently taking the elective course ‘Cold Cases’ and the lectures provide a clear theoretical framework. Under the guidance of a police unit in The Hague, they will later proceed to unravel their 'own' cold case. 'It's fantastic that we get the chance to be a part of such an investigation,' Hofman says.
‘Introduction to Cold Cases’ and ‘Cold Cases’
'Introduction to Cold Cases' is an elective course at bachelor’s level. During a series of lectures, experts from academia and the police teach students about the forensic, tactical and legal aspects of cold cases. Students focus on a specific Dutch case, which they then analyse in a paper. This solid foundation prepares them for the more in-depth master’s elective course 'Cold Cases'. Here, students focus on understanding one specific cold case and acquiring new insights. From 2026/2027, the introductory course will be linked to the minor course about the police, which will help to integrate collaboration with the university even further.
Smits adds: 'It’s unique that you can gain practical experience in the field like this and try to contribute to a real-life investigation.’
Fresh perspectives
Linda Geven, Assistant Professor and Course Coordinator, says the course and the collaboration with the police unit in The Hague came about quite informally. A few former students were working as student ambassadors for the police, and they came up with the idea of having students work on real-life cold cases. 'They established the link between the university and the police and asked students to think about a possible new course,' says Geven. 'And so that’s how the current two courses came about: Introduction to Cold Cases and Cold Cases. A police representative gives the first lecture in the BA elective course, and they also select the cases, make the files accessible, and provide guidance to students during the investigation in the more in-depth MA course.'
The collaboration works for both sides: 'The police benefit from the students’ fresh, open-minded and academic approach, while the students see that their analyses and recommendations can lead to actual follow-up steps in a case.' Geven says that students also have time to figure things out at a detailed level, time that the police often simply do not have. 'Students can do the preliminary work: sifting through the entire file, listing all the scenarios and carefully recording their reasoning and choices. Using these insights, the cold case team can then proceed with a clear focus.'
‘Precision and empathy are just as important as analytical skills’
Practice meets theory
The students are also very positive about the collaboration with the police. 'At the guest lectures, the lecture room is packed, everyone’s motivated and actively particpating,' Smits says. 'The practical experience of guest speakers mixes well with the theoretical part.' Hofman adds: 'I’m also really surprised by the input from fellow students. Sometimes they come up with things that make me think, wow… I hadn’t thought of that at all.'
Smits and Hofman say the guest lectures given by professionals from the field add real depth to the curriculum. 'By hearing how things work in practice, you get so much more information,' Smits says. 'And being able to put questions directly to the professionals also really helps.'
New ideas
Geven hopes the students will gain thorough theoretical knowledge of forensic methods, tactical choices and legal frameworks so that they can experience in practice that their fresh perspective can have real value. 'Critical, careful and creative thinking can truly make a difference. I also want them to feel that their academic skills are relevant in practice: analysing, testing hypotheses, interdisciplinary collaboration, clear reporting.'
'There are real people behind every case – the family members and others involved,' the Assistant Professor continues. 'I hope the students remember that precision and empathy are just as important as their analytical skills.'
The master's students can't wait to start their 'own' cold case: 'I'm really looking forward to getting started and delving into my own file', says Hofman. 'Maybe we won't find anything new, but hopefully we can contribute something to the police’s extensive investigation with a new, fresh perspective.'