This chapter critically analyses the efficacy and inefficacy of employing crowdsourcing in erstwhile criminal investigations by drawing insights from prominent cases influenced by this method.
Author
Siddharth Kanojia, Assistant Professor, Jindal School of Banking & Finance, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Summary
The practice of outsourcing tasks to a large group or community, typically through an open call on the internet or mass media, with the aim of harnessing collective intelligence, skill sets, and creativity to address a critical problem or achieve a specific goal, is known as ‘crowdsourcing.’ In criminal investigations, law enforcement agencies often employ this approach to gather information, tips, or leads from the public via social media platforms, online forums, or mobile applications.
Crowdsourcing emerges as a potent tool for police investigations due to its capacity to swiftly reach a broad audience and uncover information that might otherwise remain unnoticed. Moreover, it fosters trust between law enforcement and the community, showcasing a collaborative effort to solve crimes. This chapter critically analyses the efficacy and inefficacy of employing crowdsourcing in erstwhile criminal investigations by drawing insights from prominent cases influenced by this method.
Published in: Cases on Forensic and Criminological Science for Criminal Detection and Avoidance
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