Thursday 3 April will mark 100 years since the Technical and Scientific Police (PTS) began playing a crucial role in judicial investigations in Belgium, the Federal Police announced on Wednesday in a press release.
To commemorate the occasion, the PTS will highlight the work of its experts throughout the year at various events.
"On 3 April 1925, a foundational text was adopted to regulate the use of judicial photography in criminal investigations. This royal decree standardised the photography of suspects, convicts, and crime scenes, marking a key step in modernising criminal identification techniques," explained the Federal Police.
Although establishing an exact creation date is difficult, the PTS has chosen this historic date, which remains a significant milestone in the service's evolution.
For a century now, the PTS has provided objective and irrefutable evidence through various advanced scientific techniques. The PTS has witnessed countless major advancements that have revolutionised criminal investigation, including the advent of computing and digitisation, the introduction of DNA analysis, ballistics, and more.
The service now employs over 500 staff and is divided into three entities, whose complementarity is essential, noted the Federal Police.
To celebrate its centenary, the PTS will share content about its activities. During the National Day festivities on 21 July, the public will have the opportunity to learn about the PTS' various specialisms.
Another highlight event is a discovery day in October, where visitors will explore the PTS universe through demonstrations, experiments, and interactions with its members.
More information about the service's initiatives will be announced soon.
