Two weeks after the death of seventeen -year -old Lisa, it is still unclear who the suspect is and where he comes from. But even without identity, he can be convicted, the OM responds to questions from NU.nl. Yet it is useful to know that identity.
The suspect in the Lisa case has declared against the police who he is. But because he has no documents that prove that, the police cannot determine their identity with certainty. In an ongoing police investigation, it is not surprising that the identity of a suspect is still unknown, says Sven Brinkhoff. He is a professor of criminal law at the University of Amsterdam.
Often after a crime there is no immediately a suspect. So in the Lisa case it is there, but it is not certain who he is. “That doesn’t matter for the research,” explains Brinkhoff. The police will look for evidence in the same way to find out what exactly happened. The only difference is that it must also be investigated whether the suspect is indeed who he says he is.
It is unusual that even after extensive investigation, the personal data of a suspect cannot be determined, says Professor of Criminal Law Pieter Verrest. But according to him it is not unthinkable. For example, in some countries outside of Europe, the population registers are not kept up to date, or it is not possible for the Dutch authorities to get information.
If the identity of the suspect remains a mystery, it is especially important to know that the suspect is assigned a so -called criminal law chain number (SKN). In this way the case and the suspect are clearly connected. In the future, no confusion can arise about who is suspected of a crime, although his name is unknown.
Identity is not the most important
Even once a suspect has to come to court and is convicted, his identity is not necessarily necessary. “The most important thing is that you can prove that you have the right person for you,” says Patrick van der Meij, criminal lawyer and professor of criminal law practice. “A name or date of birth is less important for this.”
A lawsuit is mainly about evidence with which the perpetrator can be linked to a crime. Consider, for example, fingerprints, DNA traces or visual material.
But during the trial, a judge also looks at the background of the suspect, Verrest adds. “And for that you would rather have the identity determined.” For example, it is easier to find out whether someone has been convicted earlier or that it is known to have psychiatric problems. These are factors that can help understand what happened and play a role in imposing a punishment.
However, it does not have to stand in the way of persecution, because there are other ways to find out the history of the suspect. On the basis of DNA traces and fingerprints, for example, the authorities can look for a match in European databases that points to previously committed crimes abroad.
Keep personal data hidden
Because a process becomes more difficult if the personal data of a suspect are unknown, some alleged perpetrators deliberately keep their identity hidden. “You can see that with demonstrators and squatters,” says Van der Meij.
In the Lisa case there is currently no question of this, because the suspect has given the same information to the police as the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers. That the police cannot (yet) confirm that information does not seem to stand in the way of justice for Lisa.
Two Week after The Death of Seventeen-Year-Old Lisa, It is Still Uncleir Who the Suspect is and where he comes from. But he can also be convicted without identity, The Public Prosecution Service Responds To Questions from Nu.nl. Still, it is useful to know that identity.
The suspect in The Lisa Case has tolerated the Police Who He is. But because he has no documents to proof this, the police cannot determine his identity with certainty. In an onbing police investment, it is not strange that the identity of a suspect is Still Unknown, Says Sven Brinkhoff. He is a professor of criminal law at the university of Amsterdam.
Often there is no suspect to be identified immediately after a crime. In The Lisa Case there is one, but it is not certain who is exactly. “That Doessn’t Matter for the Investigation,” Brinkhoff Explains. The Police Will Search In The Same Way for Evidence to Find Out What Exactly Happened. The Only Difference is that it must also be investigated Whether the suspect is indeed who claims to be.
It is unusual that equally after Extensive Investigation, The Personal Data of A Suspect Cannot Be Determined, Says Professor of Criminal Law Pieter Verrest. But accordance to him it is not incconceivable. For Example, in Some Countries Outside Europe, population registers are not kept so well, or it is not Possible for the Dutch Authorities to Obtain Information.
Should the Identity of the Suspect Remain a Mystery, It is Especially Important To Know That The Suspect is Assigned a So-Called Criminal Justice Chain Number (SKN). In this way, the case and the suspect are clearly linked. In The Future, No Confusion Can Arise About Who, Suspected of A Crime, AltheHeH HIS Name is unknown.
Identity is not the most important
Even if a suspect has to appear in Court and is convicted, his identity is not necessarily request. “The most important thing is that you can demonstrate that you have the right person in front of you,” Says Patrick van der Meij, Criminal Lawyer and Professor of Criminal Law Practice. “A name or date of birth is less important for that.”
A Lawsuit Mainly Revolves Around Evidence with which the perpetrator can be linked to a crime. Think of fingerprints, DNA traces or visual material, for example.
But Duration the Trial, A Judge also looks at the background of the suspect, Verrest adds. “And for that you prefer to have established the identity.” It is then Easier, For Example, to Find out Whether some Has Been Convicted Before Or Whether It is Known That Has Psychiatric Problems. These are factors that can help to understand what happened and play a role in Imposing a sentence.
However, it does not have to stand in the way of prosecution, because there are other way out about the suspect’s history. On the Basic of DNA Traces and Fingerprints, for Example, The Authorities Can Search European Databases for a Match That Indicates PreviOutly Committed Crimes Abroad.
Deliberately Concealaling Personal Data
Because a trial Becomes More Difficult if the personal data of a suspect are unknown, some alleged perpetrators deliberately conceal their identity. “You see that, for example, with demonstrators and squatters,” Says van der Meij.
In The Lisa Case, this does not seem to be the case at the moment, because the suspect has given the same information to the police as previously to the central agency for the reception of asylum seekers. The Fact That The Police Cannot (Yet) Confirm This Information Does Not Seem To Stand In The Way Of Justice for Lisa.