In a building in Amsterdam's red light district, a striking hologram of a young woman attracts the attention of passers-by. Behind the glass, the digital figure of Bernadett Szabó, nicknamed Betty, attempts to make eye contact, appearing to knock on the window and blow on the glass where the word “help” appears. This original device, to say the least, was put in place by the Dutch police in a final effort to solve a murder which remains unpunished.
Rekindle collective memory
Originally from Hungary, Betty moved to Amsterdam at the age of 18 to support herself. Three months after the birth of her son, on February 19, 2009, she was found dead in her work room, savagely stabbed multiple times. The body of the 19-year-old young woman was lying in a pool of blood, and despite the efforts of the police, the investigation remained inconclusive. Today, holographic technology could finally change that.
This 3D device, which also shows the dragon tattooed on Betty's torso, is a call for help launched to passers-by in the neighborhood, well known for its windows and its tourist crowds. “ This is the first time we've used technology like this in a criminal investigation, and to be honest, it's making us a little nervous “, says Benjamin van Gogh, coordinator of the Amsterdam wanted and missing persons team. “ We want to do justice to Betty, her family and loved ones, and for this, we consulted several experts to define if and how this hologram should be created. »
The installation of the hologram is accompanied by a major awareness campaign, with posters, screens depicting the last moments of Betty's life and a documentary on the case. The objective: to generate memories and encourage possible witnesses to speak. A reward of 30,000 euros is also offered for any information helping to advance the investigation. This amount, as well as public concern over the unsolved murder in a busy area, is intended to attract confidences, sometimes long withheld.
« Betty was murdered in one of the busiest places in Amsterdam, if not the Netherlands», recalls Anne Dreijer-Heemskerk, member of the closed cases team. “ It's hard to believe that no one saw or heard anything strange at that time. » Investigators hope the passage of time will encourage some to overcome their fears and share things they may have kept quiet out of caution or fear of retaliation.
Eline Roovers, spokesperson for the Amsterdam police, also points out that, according to studies, criminals confide their misdeeds to an average of two people. This means that there are potentially indirect witnesses even outside Amsterdam. “ It's never too late to speak “, she declares, calling for cooperation from the public, including foreign visitors, many of whom frequent the city and its famous neighborhoods.
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