Digital support for cold cases and missing persons
The Missing Persons and Cold Case Investigation (VVCO) Department is an initiative of the International Anti-Crime Academy (IACA). The department consists of experienced OSINT specialists and carefully selected students who volunteer to support cold case and missing persons investigations.
The VVCO does not handle complete files, but provides support in the form of targeted OSINT investigations. This support complements existing investigative efforts and can relate to both cold cases and urgent missing persons. Support is provided exclusively at the request of or in collaboration with police units, investigative teams, or recognized investigative bodies.
What does the VVCO stand for?
The VVCO focuses on collecting and analyzing open source intelligence (OSINT ) for both urgent missing persons cases and cases that have stalled or have not been actively investigated for a long time. This includes recent missing persons cases, long-term missing persons cases, unsolved crimes, or cold cases where new digital insights can make a difference.
The department contributes to existing research. OSINT techniques can uncover new connections or sources of information, potentially leading to renewed attention or new research questions.
In addition, the VVCO is involved in various projects related to cold case investigation and contributes to innovation in this field. For example, it actively experiments with the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), data analysis, and digital monitoring to increase the effectiveness of OSINT applications. In this way, the VVCO contributes to the innovation of investigative methods at the intersection of technology and investigative methods.
Method
The VVCO works with a core group of OSINT professionals, who are also affiliated with the National Expertise Broker (LDM) of the police. They are supplemented by a small group of students who further develop their knowledge and skills within a supervised program. Students are not randomly assigned; only those who are demonstrably motivated and possess sufficient expertise can contribute to selected cases under supervision.
The department is involved in a variety of projects, including police investigations and collaborations with citizen-focused initiatives, provided these are overseen by competent authorities. All efforts are voluntary and non-commercial. Discretion, reliability, and community involvement are at the heart of our approach.
Please note: it is not possible for private individuals or surviving relatives to submit a request for support themselves.
Connected to education
The IACA is a partner in the Cold Case minor at Saxion University of Applied Sciences . Through the VVCO (Flemish Research Centre for Research and Development), we guide students in applying OSINT to cold case research. This combination of education and practical experience strengthens the department's effectiveness and contributes to the development of new generations of researchers.
Request collaboration?
The VVCO has limited deployment and only provides support within a clear and professional context.
Do you work for the police, the judiciary, or a recognized investigative organization and would you like to learn more about possible support? Please contact us.
