Forensic intelligence: deregulation or return to the roots of forensic science?

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of forensic intelligence through historical, operational and academic considerations. While forensic intelligence is thriving through new traceability of human activities, theoretical developments in policing and innovative technologies, it should mainly be seen as an opportunity for forensic science to contribute to making policing more ‘scientific’ in the broad sense. This paper supports the development of a modern framework to holistically use the information conveyed by forensic case data to inform policing processes, support decision-making and ensure transparency. It is argued that the scientific information, the trace, has to be privileged, rather than rejected from current debates, despite the potential fears prompted by the misinterpretation of the term ‘intelligence’. Ultimately, forensic intelligence enables the emergence of a modern conception of forensic science.

Keywords:

• crime science
• intelligence-led policing
• crime investigation
• forensic case data