On Wednesday 25 October, KIVI Region Central in Utrecht hosted a special lecture on the technical aspects you have to deal with when you are a judge at an international tribunal. Fons Orie, a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, gave a fascinating lecture on the significance of natural scientific evidence (forensic science).

He went into detail on the evidence of mortar fire in order to establish from which location the shells were fired. In addition to trace evidence, ballistics played an important role in determining the origin of the projectiles fired.

In addition, Fons dwelt on the significance of modern technology in the taking of evidence, such as satellite images and DNA analysis.

By way of introduction, he outlined the development from the 1990s onwards in the international adjudication of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In attendance were 26 people.

Experiences of Fons Orie, judge of the ICTY

Since the mid-1990s, international adjudication of war crimes and crimes against humanity has received a huge boost. The establishment of the ICTY was the first step in a development that led to the creation of more tribunals and eventually the International Criminal Court. Fons Orie will share his experiences as a judge at the ICTY and developments since then.

In particular, he will focus on the significance of natural science evidence, an area commonly referred to as forensic science, and the evidence of mortar shelling and sniper attacks. Ballistics - in addition to trace evidence - plays an important role in determining the origin of the fired projectile. In addition, Fons will reflect on the significance of modern technology in other respects, e.g. satellite imagery and DNA analysis.