Explosion at criminology lab probable attempt to destroy evidence
A fire purposely set at Brussels’ National Institute of Criminology led to an explosion and the destruction of labs involved in forensic investigations
‘Sensitive information’
NICC contains laboratories where some 7,000 forensic investigations are carried out every year. The lab that handles microscopic investigations was one of those most badly damaged.
The police said that someone had climbed over a fence to set the fire, and then set a car on fire just outside the fence. One theory is that the fire was set to destroy evidence that was being examined by NICC researchers.
“It is clear that the NICC was not chosen randomly,” said Ine Van Wymersch, spokesperson for the Brussels prosecutor’s office. “The institute contains sensitive information connected to a great many ongoing criminal investigations.” Five people were arrested for questioning in the course of the day, but all were later released.
Photo: The NICC following the explosion that damaged several forensics labs
©Thierry Roge/BELGA
About the author
