Criminalytics

A recent study published in the Journal of Big Data introduces an innovative machine learning approach to detect Medicare fraud more effectively and transparently. The researchers developed a novel ensemble supervised feature selection technique that reduces dataset dimensions by approximately 87.5% while maintaining model performance. This breakthrough enables faster model training, minimizes overfitting, and enhances the interpretability of machine learning…

Legal reasoning meets machine learning in groundbreaking research by Jack Mumford, Katie Atkinson, and Trevor Bench-Capon. By combining the Angelic Domain Model (ADM) with advanced Hierarchical BERT (H-BERT) models, this study explores automated reasoning in legal cases under Article 6 (right to a fair trial) of the European Convention on Human Rights. The ADM provides structured legal knowledge for explainable…

Researchers have made a breakthrough in vehicle event reconstruction by leveraging data from Progressive’s Snapshot application. This study highlights how Driving Insurance Applications (DIAs) can serve as valuable tools in digital forensics. The team developed PyShot, an open-source Python tool, to extract hidden driving data from Progressive’s cloud infrastructure, offering far more detail than the app itself provides. PyShot can…

New DNA technology is helping law enforcement solve cold cases across Idaho. A federal grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance is enabling forensic experts to achieve breakthroughs, even with minimal DNA samples. A key success story involves a 2003 case where a 19-year-old, Naomi, was abducted and assaulted. Forensic advancements linked DNA evidence to suspects years later, leading to…

Researchers from Japan have developed a cutting-edge method to combat drug trafficking on social media by detecting “dark jargons”—cryptic terms used to evade detection. Traditional methods struggle to keep up as these jargons evolve, often combining words to create new meanings. This new approach leverages word embedding and related word analysis to identify compound dark jargons, successfully detecting terms that…

Pawnee County Jail, along with 35 other Oklahoma agencies, is embracing a cutting-edge biometric system that scans inmates’ eyes. This technology has already halved booking times from 30 to 15 minutes and alerts staff to potential medical risks, enhancing efficiency and safety. Funded through a CDC grant and the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association, this system is provided at no cost to…

The Denver Police Department has introduced a state-of-the-art robotic “dog,” informally called “Spot,” to enhance its Bomb Squad operations. This innovative robot boasts impressive capabilities, including navigating stairs, opening doors, and 360-degree camera coverage for collision avoidance. While unarmed, Spot is equipped with a manipulating arm for handling suspicious devices and features two-way communication for negotiations in high-risk scenarios. Funded…

The evolution of policing is at a pivotal moment, with AI-assisted firearms (AAFs) offering a revolutionary leap forward. These smart weapons integrate biometric grips, fingerprint scanning, and AI-powered targeting, promising greater precision and accountability. While traditional firearms remain largely unchanged, AAFs could reduce officer errors and limit excessive force incidents. From body cams to AI systems, technology has proven its…

Cities are pairing AI-powered audio detection, license plate recognition (LPR), and video technology to tackle gun violence head-on. Systems like Flock Safety Raven® detect gunshots with 90% accuracy, sending real-time alerts within 60 seconds and pinpointing locations to within 90 feet. Albany, GA, reported a 30% increase in accurate gunshot reports since deploying the system. By combining audio detection with…

Chula Vista, CA, is pioneering a game-changing “drone-as-first-responder” (DFR) program, reshaping the future of law enforcement. Since 2018, drones have responded to over 20,000 calls, arriving on scenes twice as fast as patrol cars. From capturing evidence in domestic violence cases to aiding mental health calls, drones provide crucial real-time data, enhancing officer safety and efficiency. Learn more: https://www.govtech.com/biz/data/drone-cops-the-future-of-policing-american-cities #TechForGood…