Artificial Intelligence and Smart Tools

General overview of algorithms, smart technologies, and artificial intelligence.

Critical evaluation of historical and contemporary understanding of AI tools within the context of investigations.

Global perspective of the current situation of AI use within Forensics, Investigations and law enforcement.



Benefits and Challenges

Understanding the benefits of AI use within investigations to achieve greater efficiency.

Exploring how AI is supporting the investigation of non-violent offences.

Critically assessing the need for understanding AI as a leverage over innovative criminal or subversive activities.

Evaluating the historical and current challenges that are facing AI implementation within law enforcements investigations specifically.



Legality and Ethical considerations with AI implementation

Understanding the legal hurdles around AI decision making and invading rights to privacy.

Evaluating the proportionality and challenges of AI use in the hands of Law Enforcement Agencies.

Critical evaluation of global case studies where AI use has caused public outrage and resistance.



Accountability Principles and Frameworks for AI governance

Becoming familiar with existing frameworks and draft principles nationally and internationally that aim to govern AI use by governments and Law Enforcement Agencies.

Differentiating between AI use by private entities and public/governmental entities and/or police forces.

Critically evaluating the recent legislations and accountability reports for AI governance for potential challenges.

Exploring strategies for ethical and lawful use of AI in the arena of investigation.

The project will address the three learning outcomes presented above by way of a critical and objective review of a case study of the student’s choice which showcases thorough research of the chosen topic and supported by reliable sources and references. Students will be expected to critically engage with further research into the evidence that frames the case study, while identifying thematic areas from the learning outcomes and expanding their understanding of the content of the module, in particular the concepts of AI, algorithms, smart technologies in the context of criminal investigations as well as policing and safeguarding communities. The research can also cover legislations, frameworks or drafted notions around governance, accountability, proportionality, and trustworthiness of AI-decision making in criminal investigations. The project should not only present an in-depth critical engagement of a specific case or potentially an arising challenge, followed by analysis, discussion and limitations, which should be concluded by preliminary recommendations/guidance that could help address this issue or a similar future case which will serve as the practical, evidence-based outcome of the research efforts.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the concepts and ongoing development of AI as applied in the contexts of investigative practice.

Critically evaluate the concepts, approaches and strategies used in AI implementation within investigations, as well as recently arising legislation for investigations to govern its application and use nationally and internationally.

Provide critical analysis of the technologies that relate to AI and their use in both malicious context and prevention context coupled to case studies where interventions and measures were taken to address new AI enabled crime trends.

The module is delivered by way of live online lectures which provides students with an overview of the concepts and frameworks, including an introduction to algorithms and Artificial Intelligence in general, followed by more specific applications of these smart technologies within criminal investigations, and in policing as well.



Detailed pre-reading will be required before taught sessions, and students will be supervised as they seek to develop ideas for their Independent Studies, namely the Research Project. The module will encourage students towards a guided self-directed aspect of the learning in this module including watching documentaries of real-life events, listening to podcasts, piecing together news articles on the same case study and much more.



And since most case studies are self-explanatory, and only require in-depth evaluation of reliable literature, pre -reading, pre-lecture study and pre-lecture tasks will be a key feature and facilitators of the joint discussions during the live sessions in this aspired learning approach.



The lecture sessions will provide practically based scenario examples inspired from real-life case studies where possible, or imaginative scenarios, to will allow for group tasks for formative feedback.

During this module, you will be encouraged to utilise Microsoft Teams to support your learning. You will be invited to collaborate with students and academic staff virtually through Microsoft Teams. You will have access to a range of materials on Teams including articles, lecture slides, and interactive activities. You will also be able to access a variety of digital material through our¿Library¿and¿specialist¿databases.¿

In this exciting module you will build on your previous academic knowledge and / or operational exposure (even if limited) around the digital aspects of criminal investigations, namely involving smart technologies and artificial intelligence, where you will be provided the opportunity to research and critically evaluate the different novel implementations of AI within policing and criminal investigations, as well as understand how criminals are using automated technologies to commit new crime trends.

You will become familiar with different cases of criminal use of AI worldwide, and you will also become well equipped, namely because of your extensive research, on how AI can be used to support criminal investigations and law enforcement agencies including the police, for time and effort reduction, while respecting and protecting human rights and privacy laws.



Your skills in critical engagement and evaluation of these themes will be expanded on, and along with your own research, will prepare you for the final assessment for the module.