DNA Matches in Old Sexual Assault Cases
In several sexual assault cases, suspects have been arrested or even convicted. For example, a 2004 case in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht was solved after a DNA kinship investigation. The suspect was convicted. Also, in a 1990 case, a suspect was arrested following a DNA match. This involved the rape of a then 14-year-old girl in Bodegraven.
3D Model of Suspect
In sexual assault cases, we do not only focus on DNA research or other supplementary investigations. We continuously seek new possibilities to solve cases. For instance, in the Central Netherlands unit, a 3D model was developed of a suspect in a rape case involving a then 15-year-old. The announcement already provided useful information for the investigation. Depending on the investigation, this 3D model will be shared at a later time.
Murder and Manslaughter
For a stabbing incident with a fatal outcome in Rotterdam (2003), a suspect was arrested in Sweden. In Amsterdam, a man was arrested last year for a 2002 murder. This man resided in the United States. Furthermore, in the investigation into the murder of Loek van Dam in 1992 in The Hague, multiple suspects were arrested. One of them is still in custody.
Legal Cases in Cold Case Investigations
For a case of a robbery with deprivation of liberty in 2005, a suspect was convicted in Brazil to a lengthy prison sentence. The suspect fled to the South American country after the robbery. Several suspects have been irrevocably convicted.
This also applies to the suspect of three sexual assault cases in storage units in Schiedam and Vlaardingen and for the suspect of the murder of Els Slurink (Groningen). Appeals have been filed in the cases involving Tonny ter Horst and Duncan Zwakke.
Unknown Deceased Receive a Name
Nationally and internationally, we have raised awareness for cases of unknown deceased persons. Unfortunately, this has not led to breakthroughs in all cases. We are proud of the cases where it has succeeded. Among others, thanks to research and cooperation with the Cold Case Foundation, the identity of an unknown deceased in Amsterdam was established. Maas van Appeldoorn, buried as an unknown deceased in Germany, was also identified.
For two unknown deceased persons buried in 2017 and 2020, the team from Northern Netherlands was able to determine their country of origin. Thanks to research on recovered bone remains, two DNA matches were made. Two long-term missing persons were identified this way. One was a man from Belgium who had been missing for seven years, and the other a resident of The Hague who was reported missing fifteen months ago.
Additionally, the true identity of an unknown deceased buried under a different identity was established.
Three victims from the international Identify Me campaign initiated by the Dutch police regained their names in 2025, including a woman found in Wassenaar in 2004.
Long-term Missing Persons
Our cold case teams have been able to clarify multiple cases of long-term missing persons last year. Approximately thirty long-term missing persons were found alive. Some of them have built a new life abroad. We also now know that some long-term missing persons have died. For family and friends of these long-term missing persons, clarity has come after sometimes years of uncertainty.
It Is Never Too Late to Talk
Cold cases never expire for us. Wherever we can find leads, apply new techniques, or receive new information, we continue investigating. Both in our regional units and nationally. The cold case teams are grateful for every case in which they can provide clarity about events that sometimes happened years ago. Unsolved cases can be unbearable for victims and their family and friends. Cold case teams dedicate themselves to them. New information from informants can also lead to a breakthrough years later. It is therefore always valuable to let us know what you know.