AI to help recover lost evidence for forensic investigation

Srinagar, Jun 2: The field of forensic investigation is on the brink of a significant transformation as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to play a crucial role in recovering lost evidence from accident and crime scenes.

This innovative approach was recently highlighted by Pune police, who are utilising AI-based tools for the "digital reconstruction" of a Porsche car crash allegedly involving a juvenile driver.

This case underscores the growing potential of AI in forensic investigations, promising a future where lost evidence can be effectively recovered and analysed, thereby enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of crime and accident scene investigations.

Advanced AI systems can analyse trace evidence, reconstruct crime scenes digitally, and simulate various scenarios to ascertain the most plausible sequence of events. This is particularly valuable in cases where physical evidence has been tampered with or is insufficient. The use of AI in forensic investigations is not without its challenges.

This would mark the first use of AI tools in accident scene reconstruction, although they have been previously used in murder cases for body identification. “This technological advancement promises to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of solving complex cases, providing new hope to law enforcement agencies and victims seeking justice,” said a retired J&K Police officer. “AI's capability to analyse vast amounts of data rapidly and identify patterns that are often imperceptible to the human eye has been leveraged to reconstruct critical evidence."

Forensic experts are now employing sophisticated AI algorithms to process video footage, audio recordings, and digital data from various sources, even those previously deemed unusable due to damage or degradation.

“With the integration of AI-powered restoration tools, forensic analysts would be able to reconstruct the corrupted footage, revealing the crime scenes and leading to the apprehension of the suspect,” he said, adding that AI algorithms can enhance and restore video and audio quality by filling in missing information and correcting distortions.

Another senior police officer who had been actively carrying out investigations said this will not only help in identifying suspects but also in understanding the sequence of events with greater clarity.

"The incorporation of AI into our investigative processes at some stage will significantly improve forces ability to solve cases swiftly and accurately. It enhances our capacity to deliver justice by uncovering evidence that would otherwise remain hidden," said the officer.