USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS: LEGAL AND ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES

AUTHOR – ADITI SINGH, SCHOOL OF LAW, CHRIST UNIVERSITY, LAVASA CAMPUS, PUNE

BEST CITATION – ADITI SINGH, USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS: LEGAL AND ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (6) OF 2026, PG. 731-736, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into police investigations has changed the face of modern law enforcement, making processes such as evidence analysis, predictive policing, and forensic examination more efficient. This paper examines the application of AI in criminal justice institutions, with a particular focus on its legal and moral implications. By analysing recent research, including articles by Ying Yuan and Qian Dai (2019), Richard A. Berk (2020), O. Yara (2021), and Monika Zalnieriute (2021), the paper acknowledges and delineates the significant concerns associated with the use of AI technologies in police departments. The results of the study show that, on the one hand, AI tools can make things faster and easier by automating data handling, ground crime anticipation, and accuracy of case-solving, yet, on the other hand, these same tools can be the source of bias issues, lack of accountability, challenges in data privacy, and procedural fairness. Legally, the lack of detailed regulations governing AI-funded inquiries raises questions about responsibility and the admissibility of evidence in court. From an ethical perspective, it is challenging for people to understand how decisions are made by algorithms (since their inner workings are hidden), and this also raises the possibility that the algorithms may discriminate against certain groups of people. Both these factors can violate the basic human rights of equality before the law and the right to privacy. The research advocates for the implementation of transparent and easily understandable models of AI that adhere to the principles of due process and are open to judicial verification. Furthermore, when comparing different countries, it becomes apparent that they have varying approaches to addressing this issue, which is also reflected in the extent to which regulations have evolved and the general public’s response to them.