The sixteenth VANEPS Thesis Prize was awarded to Leanne Mous. The prize – a check and a certificate – was presented to her by attorneys Carlos Winkel and Aubrich Bakhuis. With this annual prize, VANEPS awards the author of the best master thesis at the Faculty of Law of the University of Curaçao.

This year, the University of Curaçao nominated five candidates. The theses of all nominees were graded with at least an 8. The winning thesis was chosen based on various criteria, like the quality of the hypothesis, originality, structure and added scientific value.

 

The winning thesis of Leanne Mous, who graduated with honor this year, addresses unorthodox methods in criminal investigations such as using a lie detector or truth serums. She addresses the question whether these methods should or should not be used. Attorneys Carlos Winkel and Aubrich Bakhuis considered the originality of the subject, but most of all the argumentation that was rock-solid. “Leanne got off the beaten track by using foreign literature and literature outside her own field of expertise, like psychology. As a result, her thesis was very profound, which makes her the rightful winner of this year.”

As an organization where know-how is essential, VANEPS actively supports good education. Education creates opportunities for the future generations in the Caribbean society in which the firm operates. The annual presentation of the Thesis Prize is an initiative to support this. Other initiatives included the donation of books to primary schools in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and St. Maarten in 2015.