Danish police seek independent expert review of drone investigation from DTU

Danish police have asked experts at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) to conduct an independent review of their drone investigation, DR reports, after more than 7,000 drone sightings were reported across the country last autumn.

According to DR, Copenhagen Police contacted DTU to obtain an independent assessment of the investigation’s findings before they are presented to the public. DTU describes itself as a leading institution in drone technology, with expertise spread across several departments, including work on long-range drone detection and the jamming of drone communications and electronic systems.

The investigation follows events on 22 September last year, when suspected drones caused the airspace above Copenhagen Airport in Kastrup to be closed for several hours. In the days that followed, reports emerged of drones spotted over military installations and other airports around the country. Copenhagen Police received more than 7,000 reports of drone sightings in connection with the incident. Since then, authorities have said little publicly about what was observed in the skies during that period.

What DTU could contribute

Kasper Hallenborg, head of department and expert in drone and robotics technology at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), said he sees many reasons to involve colleagues from DTU, though he stressed he has no knowledge of the specifics of DTU’s role in the investigation.

“It could be assistance with data analysis of, for example, radar images, video and image material, or observation data from cameras and sensors,” Hallenborg told DR. He added that DTU Space, one of the university’s departments, may also be able to provide access to satellite information. “They have that capability because they have been involved in other analyses and situations previously, and because they have access to equipment that can also be used here,” he said.

Hallenborg described DTU as an objective and independent party and said it is natural and positive for authorities to reach out to universities. SDU has itself previously cooperated with both the Danish military and police.

Both DTU and police decline to comment

DR submitted a request for access to documents exchanged between Copenhagen Police and DTU in order to establish what tasks DTU has been asked to carry out. Copenhagen Police rejected the request, stating that it concerns a criminal case. DTU also declined to answer questions about what it had been asked to assess, referring DR to Copenhagen Police and the National Police instead. Copenhagen Police in turn declined to comment.