Bart Nys obtained a PhD. in physical chemistry and image processing from the University of Antwerp, Belgium in 1992. He started working as a forensic scientist at the NICC in 1994, as a Gunshot Residue expert. Being also responsible for the start-up of the lab’s Firearms section, he was closely involved in the formation of the Firearms/GSR Expert Working Group and was a representative in AFTE (Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners) for the first 5 years of his career. Between 2009 and 2023, he was also responsible for the organisation of scientific research activities at the NICC as the institute’s R&D Coordinator. Being also responsible for the development of an external sponsoring network comprised of national, regional and international sponsoring organisations, Since 2013 he has been a member of the Research and Development Standing Committee of ENFSI (RDSC). During this time he also functioned as its Chair during two terms of three years. Being active in an international context within ENFSI and the global forensic community, he has built up a vast network of forensic contacts. Bart is also a member of the EU Commission’s ‘Community for European Research and Innovation for Security’(CERIS) Technical Advisors Group, where he is particularly active in the Fight against Crime and Terrorism domain group.