speakers Trias Criminalis

In-depth expertise, clearly discussed

About the speakers

John Pel

John Pel is a former forensic investigator and brings the perspective of investigation and the crime scene to Trias Criminalis. During his career, he dealt with serious and high-impact cases, including investigations into homicides, disasters, and complex forensic issues. He knows better than anyone how trace evidence analysis, investigative work, and human stress come together in practice.

Pel previously produced the podcast True Crime Pro's, among others, and wrote the books Sporen liegen niet and Politiestress. His contribution to Trias Criminalis lies in the down-to-earth, practical, and forensic perspective: what do you see at a crime scene, what can and cannot be deduced from traces, and how does investigation work outside of theory?

Marian Husken

Marian Husken is an investigative journalist, author, and podcaster. She worked for years as an investigative journalist for Vrij Nederland and has written many true crime non-fiction books. Well-known books include Mink K., Deals en dodenlijstjes, Dokter XTC, and Misdaad en liefde. In the media, she is often referred to as the grande dame of Dutch crime journalism.

Within Trias Criminalis, she brings a journalistic perspective: critical, investigative, and focused on the broader context of crime, investigation, and the administration of justice. Husken looks not only at the case itself but also at the stories behind it: the role of the police and the justice system, the position of suspects and victims, and the way crime is told and understood in society.

Mark Teurlings

Mark Teurlings is a criminal defense lawyer and has been practicing attorneys since December 1994. He studied Dutch Law and International Law at the University of Amsterdam and later completed the Grotius Criminal Law program. In his practice, he specializes in criminal cases and acts in, among others, major criminal cases, international criminal cases, extradition cases, WOTS cases, and surrender cases.

In *Trias Criminalis*, Teurlings brings the perspective of the defense and the courtroom. He explains how criminal cases are assessed legally, where evidence can be vulnerable, and the role the lawyer plays in safeguarding legal protection. His approach makes it clear that a criminal case revolves not only around facts, but also around evidence, procedure, reliability, and fundamental rights. He is also a writer. His book *Taal uit de zaal* is well-known.

Trias Criminalis brings together three perspectives that constantly clash and complement each other in criminal cases: the forensic eye of former detective John Pel, the journalistic eye of investigative journalist Marian Husken, and the legal eye of criminal defense lawyer Mark Teurlings. Together, they discuss crime, investigation, and criminal law without sensationalism, but with experience, sharpness, and an eye for nuance.

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