The Cyber Guardian Lab at the Police Cantonment Complex was recently opened by the Singapore Police Force (SPF). The Lab, which is a specialised and private workspace for Investigation Officers (IOs) to process Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) as part of their investigations, is a section of the Specialised Crime Branch (SCB) of the Criminal Investigation Department.
The recently opened Lab has a variety of technological tools to help researchers, which will be gradually developed starting in 2020. These include a CSAM processing programme, an AI programme, INTERPOL’s International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) image and video database, and a Digital Forensics Kiosk.
The IOs would process the CSAM at their own workstation along with their other investigative work prior to the Cyber Guardian Lab’s operationalisation. The IOs can establish a more distinct line between these tasks thanks to the new, dedicated Lab.
To find patterns and forecast new crime hotspots, AI systems can analyse enormous volumes of data, including historical crime data, social media activity, and demographic data. As a result, law enforcement organisations can strategically manage their resources and dispatch personnel to places where there is a higher danger of criminal activity.
Security camera live feeds may be monitored by AI-powered video surveillance systems, which can identify and notify authorities of any suspicious activity or people. By identifying known offenders or missing persons, facial recognition technology can support investigations and improve public safety.
To help investigators, solve cases more effectively, AI algorithms may analyse and extract useful ideas from a variety of sources, including criminal reports, witness testimony, and forensic evidence. Also, AI can automatically go through enormous volumes of data, find hidden relationships, and identify prospective culprits.
By examining data on crime trends, reaction times, and officer availability, AI can allocate police resources as efficiently as possible. AI can assist in determining the best personnel and patrol route allocation to maximise police presence where it is most required by identifying regions with the greatest crime rates or the most urgent situations.
Police departments can use AI-powered chatbots or virtual assistants to answer non-emergency questions, inform the public, and free up human personnel for more important activities. Chatbots can be used by citizens to report crimes or request assistance, enhancing accessibility and response times.
By examining a variety of data sources, such as social media activity, past criminal histories, or symptoms of vulnerability, AI can assist in identifying those who are in danger of engaging in criminal behaviour. Then, early intervention programmes can be put into place to offer resources and help, thereby discouraging people from committing crimes.
In addition, OpenGov Asia earlier reported that SPF has been increasingly using UAVs, often known as drones, for surveillance and monitoring. These drones have high-definition cameras and can be controlled remotely to take real-time photographs and videos. SPF may now collect essential intelligence and situational awareness in regions that are difficult to access or dangerous for officers to be present.
SPF has also used robots for a variety of tasks, such as bomb disposal and hostage rescue. These robots are intended to be controlled remotely and are outfitted with sensors and cameras to detect and assess the situation. They can also deliver equipment and supplies, lessening the risks that human cops confront.
SPF has created a variety of different technologies to support its operations in addition to UAVs and robots. It has built a high-tech command truck, for example, that can be dispatched to significant incidents to function as a mobile command centre. The vehicle is outfitted with cutting-edge communication equipment and can be used to coordinate the actions of multiple agencies.
