Legal scholar and social scientist Jill Coster van Voorhout conducts socio-legal research to investigate, among other things, the structures behind organized crime. On Friday, April 4, she will deliver her inaugural lecture at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
The undermining of the rule of law
Subversive crime poses a growing threat to the democratic rule of law. Coster van Voorhout emphasizes that these crimes are not isolated incidents but part of large criminal networks spanning multiple sectors and countries. 'This type of crime can also erode citizens' trust in the legal system and government. When criminals exert influence on institutions with impunity and pressure professionals, justice and security are at risk.'
The three pillars of subversive crime
The Netherlands has yet to define subversive crime, which is why Coster van Voorhout's research focuses on three essential pillars: people, money, and infrastructure. Without these three elements, crimes such as human trafficking, money laundering, and corruption cannot thrive. She examines how these elements converge and how criminal networks blur the lines between the legal and illegal worlds. 'By following the money, we gain insight into how these criminal networks operate,' explains Coster van Voorhout. 'We aim to expose how illicitly acquired wealth is laundered and how criminal structures become embedded in legal sectors.'
Interdisciplinary research with societal impact
The research combines criminal and civil law analyses with advanced computational models and socio-economic methods. 'Think of artificial intelligence recognizing patterns in criminal financial flows or statistical models reconstructing criminal networks,' says Coster van Voorhout. Collaboration with 28 researchers from nine disciplines, banks, ministries, and law enforcement agencies is crucial. 'Within a public-private consortium of 22 societal partners, we pool our expertise: banks report unusual transactions, law enforcement agencies inspect businesses, and NGOs support victims. By combining these efforts, we enhance the effectiveness of our approach.'
From science to policy
The goal is not only to expand academic knowledge but also to contribute to effective policy. By identifying weaknesses in the rule of law, ministries can refine legislation and regulations. 'Through empirical research, we map out the highest risks,' says Coster van Voorhout. 'If we see that certain criminal structures systematically undermine the democratic rule of law, we can work with our partners to develop targeted policy measures to counter these threats.'
Historical and legal-theoretical perspectives
In addition to legal and economic analyses, the research also examines broader historical and philosophical contexts. 'We assess whether this form of crime fits within our (criminal) legal history and seek normative frameworks that help translate empirical data into a definition of rule-of-law-undermining crime,' explains Coster van Voorhout. 'This allows us to determine how legislation and enforcement should evolve to better protect the democratic rule of law.'
Bridging disciplines
For Coster van Voorhout, her professorship at VU is a logical next step in her career. 'My work operates at the intersection of normativity and empiricism, law and society. This research offers a unique opportunity to further develop and apply that knowledge.' In the coming years, her team will build bridges between criminal law, criminology, history, philosophy, and technology - ultimately striving for a more resilient democratic rule of law.
The inaugural lecture will take place on April 4 at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.