Johannes Kotzerke

I love what I do because the results of my research won’t just end up in a drawer – they will eventually be used in the real word to improve the health of our children.

Biometrics fascinates me. I find it intriguing that every single person carries their own unique identifiers in the form of our footprints, fingerprints, retina and more.

My research is about overcoming the different challenges which arise from distorted ridge-based biometrics, such as the growth of an infant.

Finding a suitable infant biometric would remove the roadblock which faces vaccination programs in developing countries and in turn would help to decrease infant mortality. Other potential benefits could be to enable authorities to effectively fight human trafficking and identify missing children.

I completed my undergraduate and master studies at the University of Lübeck in Germany and due to an existing connection between my master thesis supervisor and my current doctoral thesis supervisors at RMIT I was lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to take part in this funded project.

I am planning to return and work in Europe and the double-badge program offers a valuable opportunity to study at the well-respected University of Twente in The Netherlands.

I’ve benefitted greatly from having supervisors at both institutions with the right mix of a good practical approach and a strong theoretical foundation.

My Dutch supervisors’ expertise in the area of biometrics and their
practical and problem-oriented approach have contributed towards a more refined perspective of the research.

I have also received valuable feedback on my work regarding the evidential value of finger marks from one of my supervisors at University of Twente who is directly involved with the Netherlands Forensic Institute.

This program has helped me overcome the challenges of a doctoral thesis and I feel strongly that I’ve satisfied the conditions of two respected universities.

I am thorough, efficient and active.

I love what I do because the results of my research won’t just end up in a drawer – they will eventually be used in the real word to improve the health of our children.