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Law enforcement agencies are increasingly utilizing digital evidence, leading too a need for efficient methods to search through large volumes of data.These methods include manual review and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to expedite the process.
Federal Bureau of Inquiry and digital Evidence
Table of Contents
The FBI routinely handles vast amounts of digital evidence in its investigations, requiring robust search capabilities. Digital evidence encompasses a wide range of formats,including documents,images,videos,and audio recordings.
The FBI’s Digital evidence Section provides specialized expertise and resources for the acquisition, preservation, and analysis of digital evidence. This includes utilizing AI-powered tools to identify relevant information within large datasets. According to the FBI’s 2023 Annual Report, digital evidence was crucial in over 60% of all federal investigations. FBI 2023 Annual Report
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standards
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) plays a critical role in establishing standards for digital forensics, including guidelines for searching and analyzing digital evidence. These standards ensure the admissibility of digital evidence in court.
NIST’s Computer Security Resource Center (CSRC) provides resources and publications on digital forensics, including best practices for evidence handling and analysis.NIST Special Publication 800-63B,”Digital Identity Guidelines,” outlines requirements for secure digital identity management,which is relevant to the authentication and integrity of digital evidence. NIST Special Publication 800-63B
Department of justice and AI in Law Enforcement
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is actively exploring the use of AI technologies to enhance law enforcement capabilities, including the search and analysis of digital evidence. The DOJ recognizes the potential of AI to improve efficiency and accuracy in investigations.
In December 2023, the DOJ released a framework for responsible use of AI, emphasizing the importance of fairness, clarity, and accountability.This framework guides the DOJ’s use of AI technologies, including those used for digital evidence analysis.DOJ Artificial Intelligence Framework
Rules of Evidence and Admissibility
The admissibility of evidence obtained through AI-powered search tools is subject to the rules of evidence, which vary by jurisdiction. Courts generally require that the AI tools used are reliable and that the results are properly validated.
The New York State Rules of Evidence, for example, require that scientific evidence be based on generally accepted principles and methods. This means that AI-powered search tools must be scientifically validated and that the results must be interpreted by qualified experts. New York State Rules of Evidence
department of Homeland Security (DHS) and AI Research
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) invests in research and advancement of AI technologies for various applications, including enhancing the ability to search and analyse large volumes of data for security purposes. DHS focuses on developing AI tools that can identify threats and improve situational awareness.
The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) supports research projects aimed at improving AI algorithms for image and video analysis,natural language processing,and data mining. A 2022 DHS S&T report highlighted the potential of AI to automate the analysis of unstructured data, such as social media posts and open-source intelligence reports.
