PhD Vacancy: AI and evidence in criminal investigations

Are you interested in how Artificial intelligence (AI) will impact the law enforcement sector? Do you want to ensure that AI systems used to recover digital evidence are trustworthy and respect defendants’ rights? Then join the STeP research group at University of Groningen and researchers from the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) for this challenging and cutting edge research project.

Law enforcement must deal increasingly with large and complex datasets of audio, video, text, and images for evidence discovery. Such datasets require effective tools for triage e.g., filtering, data reduction and speedy review of relevant information for the criminal investigation. The necessity for triage of large datasets stems not only from objectives of effective prosecution but also in relation to non-disclosure of privileged data, privacy and data protection, and fair trial compliance. AI systems hold promise to achieve those objectives by analysing vast quantities of data for evidence and automatically detecting patterns.

The Netherlands Forensics Institute (NFI) uses Hansken – a platform for digital forensics which provides chain of custody information and access to evidence datasets by the defence, that has been subject of Court scrutiny in proceedings. As new AI-based tools for evidence triage are integrated, there is a strong incentive to ensure that such system is not only efficient but also accountable, in compliance with newly adopted AI regulation in the European Union and the Council of Europe, and has sufficient safeguards for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

Research question

This PhD research focuses on the following research question:

What are the legal implications of implementing AI systems for evidence triage in criminal investigations and can such technology satisfy objectives of effective prosecution while ensuring also human rights protection?

The PhD research will include extensive review of AI systems for evidence triage, their human rights impact assessment through the entire AI pipeline, and development of guidelines for implementation of such systems in law enforcement work which ensures their reliability, legal compliance, and possibility for cross-examination and validation. Practical results and relevance will be achieved through several case studies in the Hansken platform.

Additional preferred qualifications for this PhD position

• A Master`s degree in Computer Science or Artificial Intelligence or Cybersecurity or a related field and a demonstrable prior work in technology law OR a Master`s degree in Technology Law and a demonstrable background in digital forensics and IT security
• Digital forensics and/or law enforcement background is an advantage
• Dutch language is an advantage
• Willingness to travel for secondments and move to the Netherlands for the period of the PhD is required
• A certificate of conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag - VOG) is required for granting access to NFI.
• Depending on the type of work and access to data, a security screening (Verklaring Geen Bezwaar - VGB) might be demanded too.
• A strong interest in data protection, digital rights, and the ethical and societal implications of AI technology.
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary research e.g., engaging with researchers from non-technical or non-legal fields.

Additional information

The PhD student will be located in Groningen and ready to perform two secondments in the Netherlands Forensics Institute with time duration depending on the research needs.

Supervision Team

• Prof. Jeanne Pia Mifsud Bonnici (UG)
• Dr Radina Stoykova (UG)
• Prof. Harm van Beek (NFI and OUNL)
• Prof. Hans Henseler (NFI and Leiden AUS)