Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. It is now being used in almost all the fields, resulting in both advancements and disruptions, incidents of deepfakes, for instance of Rashmika Mandana and Taylor swift, which resulted in a lot of hue and cry, forgetting that both DeepFaceLab and TensorFlow or PyTorch, one which creates it and other that detects it, both are AI software , but employment is in a way that one empowers crime other impedes it, thus, AI is just a tool, the choice of its deployment is always ours, so it’s not less technology that we need but better humans.

AI Empowering Crimes

Misuse of Websites and Encrypted Apps–

Digital platforms like websites and end-to-end encrypted chat apps foster heinous crimes like child trafficking. Perpetrators of crime move online to search for victims and use technological tools to reach out to potential buyers. Personal information like Adhaar and bank details, phone numbers etc. find its way into dark web which plummets the risk of misuse. These child traffickers use this leaked data of the dead persons for passports, hotel check-ins and use traditional system of payment which cannot be traced, which makes it an arduous task and absence of adequate legislation adds up to the problem.

Audio And Visual Impersonation

AI algorithms like Murf, resemble deep face lab when fed with data of audio clips and images, generate congruent voice, exercise face mapping and not forgetting the generation of highly realistic deepfakes and impersonating messages which results in mushrooming of thefts, phishing and sophisticated social engineering attacks and as we are well aware social media has become a child’s play to fetch the required data and misuse it, one of the recent examples is the high court landmark judgement in Anil Kapoor’s case restraining the unscrupulous use of his voice, dialogues and employing morphing techniques featuring him and restraining the decimation of any such merchandise in the market as it results in diminishing authenticity.

Potential misuse of autonomous vehicles-

Driverless vehicles controlled through algorithm or by human at distance have been put to misuse fostering terrorism, drug smuggling in jails and sacrificing the sovereignty of the country. These can be used by the terrorist organization for attacks which is seen as an alternative to human sacrifice resulting in increased intensity and co-ordination and freeing the perpetrator to be within the transmitter range of the vehicle or drones without being tracked by the government agencies. The cameras inbuilt with mics or using thousands of cellphone cameras to build a mosaic image to auto- track the movement of the objects within 15 miles efficaciously like the ARGUS results not only in the violation of privacy of the individuals but when employed by adversary countries or terrorist organization gives sensitive information regarding spots of military camps and amount of population in the area at a particular point of time sacrificing the sovereignty of the country. But as it is said, there is something bad in everything good and something good in everything bad, AI also has a positive side to it. AI is acting as a helping hand in the criminal justice system, true that, it is giving rise to immense numbers of crimes but, it’s the diamond which cuts the diamond, so it is AI itself which is combating these crimes.

AI As An Assisting Tool

Investigating agencies-

AI-based technology can efficiently be utilized to instruct investigation officers on investigative methods. Applications with AI capabilities can be used to retain information about crime scenes and criminal tactics. An officer can use such a database to find commonalities between crimes committed at various locations. Drones with AI capabilities and high-definition cameras can be used to follow criminal suspects.AI initiatives by various state polices in India-Cuttack Police introduced AI powered equipment to guide Investigation Officers in following procedures of investigation.Uttar Pradesh police launched AI based face recognition app called ‘Trinetra’.Andhra Pradesh Govt. launched ‘e-Pragati ’database which consists of e-KYC of millions of people of the state. Delhi Police in association with IIT Delhi set up AI Centre to handle crimes, etc.

Predictive policing

Predictive policing is the process of using algorithms to analyze huge amounts of information to predict the time and place with increased risk of crime, predicting potential future offenders and individuals or demographics that are most likely to be the victims. Examples in India-CCTNS, Delhi’s CMAPS, Hyderabad police integrated people information hub, Himachal Pradesh’s CCTV surveillance matrix, etc.

AI in courts

Legal research

As we know in India, we follow the doctrine of stare decisis which means “to stand by things decided”, meaning thereby precedents are of utmost importance, use of AI assists the lawyers to research and analyze among huge amounts of historical legal data available. In the case of Jaswinder Singh v. State of Punjab, the presiding judge requested input from ChatGPT to gain a wider perspective on the granting of bail when cruelty is involved.

Document Analysis

Using AI in analyzing Document ensures speed, accuracy and efficiency. Recently, an AI-based machine learning system was introduced in India by CAM, a renowned law practicing firm, in association with Kira Systems, to recognize and evaluate potentially hazardous clauses in the agreements and to handle large amounts of documents quickly.

Prosecution wing

Forensic science- It is essential to gather biological evidence against the accused, such as blood, skin cells, etc. semen. These can be utilized to profile the suspect’s or accused’s DNA. AI-powered systems can identify even minute amounts of biological components found at crime scenes. AI algorithms are also being used to interpret radiological images, which help the medical examiners in establishing cause and manner of death, thus, helping in securing justice.Gunshot detection- AI systems are used in the identification of pattern signatures in gunshot analysis. The Cadre scientists are developing algorithms to identify gunshots, distinguish muzzle blasts from shock waves, calculate shot-to-shot timings, count the number of firearms, identify individual shots to firearms, and estimate probabilities of class and caliber.

Evidence Analysis

AI technologies are making it easier to identify, compare and check authenticity of evidence and reducing human errors. AI in Sentencing- AI technologies are being used to help courts determine suitable punishments and assess the possibility of recidivism by utilizing machine learning algorithms, which assist judges, resulting in a more uniform process.

Prisons and correctional centers

Jails have become epicenter for criminals for planning and executing criminal activities, they arrange unauthorized access to mobile phones, weapons, cigarettes, alcohol etc. by illegal and unethical means, here AI comes to rescue in form of surveillance system.AI based monitoring helps in dealing with violence inside jail, crowd analysis, detecting unauthorized entry in jail and other security threats.AI can also have a huge impact in rehabilitation, like, generating personalized rehabilitation activities, examination of physical and cognitive behavior, speech analysis, psychological evaluation, communication and motivation, risk estimation, streamlining, etc.

Analysis -AI literacy

Educating our youth from the school itself and equipping them with an ethical knowledge of the same in professional course curriculums would not let them fall into trap and commit or assist crime.Disguised unemployment- AI will help to reduce disguised unemployment significantly. Clerical and iterative task where human labour is not efficiently employed can be performed by AI accurately and labour force can be put to task exclusive to human involving emotional intelligence.

Conclusion

From all the discussions relating to the various crimes which AI gives rise to including misuse of websites and apps, audio and video impersonation, misuse of autonomous vehicles, giving rise to terrorism etc. to discussing about various instances where AI is playing a crucial role in the criminal justice system, for providing timely justice and assisting various stakeholders, one thing which is evident is that AI in this field of crime is here to stay. So, whether you’re excited about its potential benefits or sceptical about its implications, it’s important to stay well informed about this rapidly evolving field. Of course, creating a machine that can simulate human intelligence or can supersede but devoid of emotional intelligence, comes up with its own perils, but by far its greatest danger is that people conclude too early that they are well versed with AI and its implications.

**The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author**