Representations and perception of forensic intelligence among Belgian forensic practitioners

Forensic intelligence (ForInt) has gained formal recognition within the scientific community, yet the operational requirements for its implementation remain understudied. Although shared experiences and theoretical contributions have established a foundational framework, empirical research on the role of forensic scientists in ForInt is still lacking. To address this gap, we conducted 12 semi-structured interviews with forensic practitioners from Belgium’s main government forensic provider to explore their representations and perceptions of ForInt and its potential implementation. A directed content analysis followed by a thematic analysis revealed several key themes that shape practitioner’s view. First, this study underscores the varied conceptions of ForInt across practitioners. Second, it emphasises that trust in a ForInt system depends on maintaining control over forensic data interpretation. Third, it shows a dedicated mechanism is needed to ensure that disseminated ForInt is effectively used and recognised as such, as the current case-focused approach within the justice system limits the use of ForInt products. Successful implementation therefore requires institutional trust, a robust operational framework, and confidence in stakeholders' ability to grasp the scope and significance of forensic interpretations. Ultimately, the main challenge lies in reconciling a proactive intelligence-led policing model with existing justice-based operational frameworks of the laboratory. These findings suggest that successful ForInt implementation requires at least significant organisational and cultural adaptations to achieve both acceptance and operational effectiveness.