In 2009, a 19-year-old girl was brutally murdered in Amsterdam's red light district. Today, fifteen years later, the police are reopening the "cold case" by chasing a technology that seems to have come out of a science fiction movie to give a face to the killer.
The brutality of crime
The case of Betty Szabo He is one of those that investigators do not forget. A young life broken with over seventy stab wounds, a violence that speaks of anger, perhaps of premeditation. The brutality of the murder has deeply shaken the community of the red light district, but despite intensive investigations the killer has never been identified.
Anne Dreijer-Heemskerk, of the cold case department of the Amsterdam police, confirmed that the initial investigations had come up against an insurmountable obstacle: silence. “There are certainly several people who know who committed the crime,” he says confidently. A silence that for fifteen years has protected the killer and prevented the family from obtaining justice.
Holographic Innovation Against Cold Cases
The hologram, installed in one of the “shop windows” in the red light district, represents a technological breakthrough in investigations. Strategically positioned in one of the busiest streets, it projects a three-dimensional reconstruction of the scene. The image, visible even in broad daylight, shows crucial details of the case and draws the attention of passers-by with surprising visual quality.
Il holographic system uses advanced projection technology that creates three-dimensional images floating in space. It requires no special devices to view and can be viewed from multiple angles. The installation also includes a QR code that passers-by can scan to access detailed information about the cold case being solved and how to provide any information anonymously.
Collective memory
“We hope that people will remember the case again when they see the hologram,” he explains. Three-Heemskerk. The choice to use this technology is not accidental: the visual impact of a hologram is much stronger than a simple poster or a video. The projection, active 24 hours a day, becomes a constant reminder that the cold case has not been forgotten and that justice is still possible.
The investigative potential
The hologram doesn't just show static images. The reconstruction includes dynamic elements that highlight key aspects of the investigation: the victim's movements before the murder, possible escape routes for the killer, and key points where there may have been witnesses. This detailed visualization could awaken dormant memories in those who, at the time, may have seen something significant.
Initial reactions to the holographic installation have been mixed. Some residents appreciate the police's innovative effort, others worry that it will disrupt the neighborhood atmosphere. However, the interest it has generated has already led to new reports, proving the approach's effectiveness in rekindling attention on the case.
Not just cold cases: future implications
If this innovative approach leads to concrete developments, we could witness a revolution in cold case investigation techniques. Holographic technology could be used not only for cold cases, but also as a preventative tool, increasing security awareness in sensitive areas.
Meanwhile, the hologram continues to project its images in the heart of Amsterdam, and investigators hope that this new strategy will finally lead to the resolution of the case. Betty Szabo. Fingers crossed.
