Facial Recognition for Investigations of Transnational Criminal Organizations
Description
The problem this use case solves is the challenge of identifying unknown individuals involved in transnational criminal activities, such as violent crimes, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and financial fraud.
Detailed example
Investigators submit facial photos obtained through lawful investigative means to an AI-enabled facial recognition service. The service compares these photos to publicly available online images to find visually similar faces. It returns possible matches, along with links or references to the public sources where those images were found, so investigators can review them in context. These results are treated as investigative leads that may point to potential identities or locations, but they do not constitute confirmation on their own.
AI / analytics pattern
Computer Vision: AI that processes and interprets visual data (e.g., images and videos).
Automation level / stage
c) Deployed – The use case is being actively authorized or utilized to support the functions or mission of an agency.
Expected benefit
The facial recognition service reduces the time investigators spend manually searching for images online and helps them discover potentially relevant photographs or profiles that they might not otherwise find. This can improve the speed and effectiveness of investigations into complex transnational criminal networks while allowing investigators to focus on analysis, corroboration, and case-building.
Controls / human review
ATO: Yes; PIA: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/privacy-pia-ice-frs-054-may2020.pdf
Data needed
Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES)