Dutch police are aiming to use a ‘hologram’ of the computer-generated image of a young woman murdered in 2009 to encourage potential witnesses to come forward.
The ‘hologram’ represents a computer-generated image of Bernadette “Betty” Szarbo, a 19-year-old Hungarian woman who was murdered shortly after giving birth in 2009. Szarbo’s murder has remained unsolved for 15 years.
Located in a window in Amsterdam’s red light district alongside key information related to her activities leading up to her murder, the ‘hologram’ leans forward, breathes on the glass, and writes the word ‘help’. This use of ‘hologram’ technology marks the first occasion that Dutch police have used the technology, with the aim of encouraging potential witnesses to come forward with new evidence.
Benjamin van Gogh, coordinator, Amsterdam Wanted and Missing Persons Team, commented: “This is the first time we do something like this and, to be honest, we’re a bit nervous. We want to do justice to [sic] Betty, to her family and friends, and to the case. Therefore, before deciding to use a hologram for the campaign, we brainstormed with different parties both within and outside the police on whether we should go ahead with this and how we should set it up.
“Of course, there has also been contact with her relatives about this. We are committed to doing this with dignity and with the clear purpose of achieving some form of justice for Betty by finding her murderer or murderers.”
Photo credit: Dutch Police