Belgium racks up €1 million debt to forensics experts

The Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Liège has decided to sue the Belgian state for failing to pay for its work. 

Despite the important and necessary work done by medical examiners during criminal investigations, the Belgian state is behind on its payments since 2002.

Because of this lack of funding, the forensic DNA analysis laboratory has suffered severe cutbacks. Staff has been dismissed and costs have been reduced.

The Belgian state has a massive debt of more than €1 million. Philippe Boxho, director of the forensic institute, said when the Belgian state no longer has money left in their budget, the institute does not get paid.