Policing, Justice and Law Enforcement in a Digital Age

The majority of crimes today have a digital footprint and technology both enables crimes to occur and for law enforcement to work, creating an ever changing and more complex relationship between the two in a race for one to always be at least two steps ahead of the other.  

Fast moving digital technology has helped create a new genre of criminals who are educated, tech savvy and can sell their skills for nefarious purposes. The ever-growing issue of serious and organised crime depends on sophisticated technology linking a variety of criminal activities, including child sexual abuse and exploitation, people trafficking, and drug smuggling, making the perpetrators harder to trace. 

The increasing use of AI by criminal gangs makes detection ever harder and as a criminal tool, AI can be used for purposes like intimation, humiliation, and harassment. Criminals will use AI tools like ChatGPT for writing assistance, allowing inexperienced writers to craft effective marketing messages that lure in potential victims of so-called romance fraud and can also be responsible for encouraging murderous acts and radicalisation.  

For the law enforcers too, AI can become a powerful tool in predictive policing and assist in forensic data analysis and testing the parameters of privacy and data protection.  

The borderless nature of technology-driven crime also creates new practical and legislative obstacles for those tasked with law enforcement and how they collaborate in the name of justice.  

This annual Holyrood ‘Law Enforcement in a Digital Age’ event builds on what we learnt from the inaugural event shaped around last year’s INTERPOL General Assembly and will explore the role of digital technology in both enabling crime, and fighting it.

Learning Objectives:

  • Gain insights into the latest digital crime trends and law enforcement responses
  • Understand the ethical and legal challenges in digital policing
  • Explore collaborative approaches to combating cybercrime
  • Learn about advancements in AI and predictive policing technologies

*This event is free to attend for those working in the public and third sectors. If you work in the private sector, please email Sales@holyrood.com to discuss commercial opportunities.

Event Details

This panel will explore topics including:

• Emerging trends in digital fraud and exploitation
• The impact of AI on both criminal tactics and law enforcement methodologies
• Strategies for effective collaboration among law enforcement, financial institutions, and tech companies
• Balancing regulation with civil liberties in online spaces

Panellists will explore:

• Privacy concerns and the benefits and challenges of data sharing
• How AI is used to exploit people, including children, and how law enforcement can identify and apprehend offenders
• Growing risks of online child exploitation (grooming, trafficking etc)
• Implementing ethical guidelines in the use of surveillance technologies
• Public perception and trust in digital policing methods

This session will discuss:

• Overcoming jurisdictional challenges in tackling cross-border cybercrime
• Best practices for international cooperation
• Developing unified legal frameworks

This panel will explore topics including:

- AI & surveillance: facial recognition, predictive policing, and data-driven crime prevention impacts public safety
- Digital forensics & evidence: the development of the role of forensic technology in solving crimes, from cyber threats to physical offenses
- The victim journey: How digital tools support (or complicate) investigations, access to justice, and victim rights
- Balancing the need for advanced investigative tools with data protection and human rights
- Collaboration between agencies whilst safeguarding digital evidence and personal data
- The crucial role of biometrics

Panellists will discuss topics including:

• Adapting to rapidly evolving technologies
• Continuous training and professional development
• Forecasting future cybercrime trends
• How to prepare and respond to large-scale financial crime that operates across borders
• Collaborations between law enforcement and financial institutions to address cybercrime and fraud

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Diego Quiroz
Operations Manager
Scottish Biometrics Commissioner
Dr Geoffrey Barnes
Principal Criminologist and Deputy Director, Strategic Insight Unit
Metropolitan Police Service
Nikki MacLeod
Retired Academic
University of Edinburgh
Paul Foster
Head of the National Cyber Crime Unit
National Crime Agency
James Stevenson
Technology-Facilitated CSEA Data Specialist
Childlight - Global Child Safety Institute
Annabel Turner
Director
CyberSafe Scotland
Gerry McLean
Regional Head of Investigations Scotland & Northern Ireland
National Crime Agency
Beverly Bowles
Head of Cyber
ScotlandIS
Jude McCorry Headshot
Jude McCorry
Chief Executive Officer
Cyber and Fraud Centre - Scotland
Event Details
Sponsors
Supporting Organisation