Interpol Explores Metaverse Platforms as Potent Tools for Law-Enforcement Training and Cybercrime Investigations
Summary:
The Interpol's Metaverse expert group underlines the potential of metaverse platforms as vital tools for law enforcement training, crime scene preservation and analysis in a recent white paper. It discusses the challenges in evidence recovery from different metaverse platforms and offers guidelines to tackle misuse. By leveraging augmented and virtual reality aspects of metaverse applications, Interpol sees prospects for immersive training, virtual crime scene replicas for analysis, and cryptocurrency-related investigations. Notably, the paper emphasizes defining 'metacrimes' for effective policing of these platforms. As metaverse platforms continue attracting users, law enforcement needs to familiarize with this space. A holistic approach, including multi-stakeholder engagement and cross-border collaboration, is necessary for effectively handling metacrimes.
The potential of metaverse platforms for law enforcement training, crime scene preservation, and analysis is highlighted in a recent white paper from international policing organization, Interpol's Metaverse expert group. The research report examines the various faceted elements of the Metaverse and suggests possible implementation for worldwide law enforcement agencies. It also discusses the investigative concerns relating to metaverse-based and cybercrimes, and challenges in evidence gathering from servers, platforms, virtual asset analytics and engines.
Formed in October 2022, the expert group produced several guidelines and strategies to combat the potential misuse of Metaverse platforms, while simultaneously harnessing their capacity as an investigative tool. The paper outlines several practical approaches for law enforcement agencies, utilizing the physical, augmented, and virtual reality elements of Metaverse applications.
The use of Metaverse environments for comprehensive training aimed to enhance frontline policing is predicted to be pivotal. The paper emphasizes the efficacy of coordinating and responding to various situations via Metaverse-driven training and simulations, which include recreating crime scenes, sharing information, and tactical planning.
Another innovative application involves using Metaverse platforms for generating virtual reproductions of crime scenes, enabling investigators to access and analyze crime scenes without time limitations. This method is expected to permit extensive reassessment of evidence and could allow juries or judges to virtually explore crime scenes for a deeper understanding of the case context and details.
Spatial cognition and perception are used in augmented, virtual, and extended reality tools, providing investigators an immersive 3D experience to improve investigations and law enforcement. The paper identifies these tools will be able to improve the investigation process, using Chainalysis as an example of using such tools for investigating cryptocurrency-related issues.
The report also calls for defining "metacrimes" and criminally harmful actions in the Metaverse for efficient regulation and safety of these platforms. Interpol's white paper outlines existing problems which comprise NFT scams, cyber-physical attacks, impersonation through digital identity theft, theft of 3D property and digital assets, plus child grooming, stalking, and sexual harassment.
Financial crimes in the Metaverse are also noted to be a rising concern. The paper predicts these "metacrimes" could increase as the daily migration into virtual environments grows.
As Metaverse platforms continue to attract a larger user base, Interpol forecasts these platforms becoming a notable resource of data and evidence for investigators. This would necessitate law enforcement and legal systems to familiarize themselves with the virtual space. The paper states that investigators will need to master data extraction from virtual reality gear and haptic devices, evidence recovery from Metaverse infrastructure, and data harvesting from third-party service providers.
Interpol concludes with the assertion that a holistic strategy involving multi-stakeholder involvement and international cooperation would be necessary for an effective response to Metacrime, given the Metaverse extends across multiple jurisdictions, dimensions, and organizations.
Published At
1/19/2024 1:31:02 PM
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