by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Caterina De Gavardo, Trieste Councilor for Public Safety and Local Police; Lisa Marra – organizer of Trieste True Crime and president of the Academia Veneta association
The second edition of Trieste True Crime will take place Nov. 5-7 at Sala Luttazzi in the Porto Vecchio-Porto Vivo complex, bringing together journalists, criminologists, law enforcement officials and medical experts to examine criminal investigations and how crime is portrayed in the media.
Organized by Accademia Veneta in cooperation with the Municipality of Trieste, the festival will feature discussions on forensic science, unsolved cases, juvenile violence, femicide and the relationship between criminal evidence and media narratives. Admission is free, subject to available seating.
The program opens Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. with the presentation of “The Truth in the Traces: More Than 120 Years of Scientific Police,” an exhibition tracing the evolution of Italy’s forensic police from its origins in 1903 to modern investigative techniques. At 6:30 p.m., psychiatrist Vittorino Andreoli will discuss the psychology of criminal behavior in a conversation with Alberto Bollis, deputy editor of the newspaper Il Piccolo.
On Nov. 6, a session for school groups will address bullying and violence among young people, featuring writer Andrea Franzoso and University of Trieste professor Sergia Adamo, alongside regional ombudsman Enrico Sbriglia. That evening, journalists Massimo Giletti and Alessandro Politi will discuss how crime is covered and interpreted by the media.
The Nov. 7 program will examine unresolved criminal cases, femicide and forensic investigation. Luciano Garofano, former commander of the Carabinieri’s scientific investigation unit in Parma, will discuss cold cases with criminologist Simone Tuzza. Later sessions will focus on femicide and its effects on victims and their families, followed by a discussion of scientific methods used at crime scenes.
The festival will also introduce the Giorgio Rossi Award, named in memory of the former Trieste culture councilor who supported the initiative. It will recognize professionals who promote legal education among students. A second award, the C.R.I.M.E. Prize, will honor responsible and ethical reporting on crime.
The accompanying forensic exhibition will be open at Sala Sbisà in the same complex during the festival. Visitors will be able to explore investigative methods including fingerprint analysis, DNA testing, ballistics and three-dimensional crime-scene reconstruction.
The organizers say the festival aims to encourage a more informed understanding of crime while examining the responsibilities of journalists and others who communicate about criminal cases.
