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Digital forensic lab, new gadgets to fight crime
View(s):By Damith Wickremasekara
Facial recognition technology to track down criminals will be among new facilities available at the government’s first digital forensic lab due to start functioning within the next three months, a senior official said. The lab now under construction with funding from South Korea will have its own facilities to carry out DNA tests, forensic identity of firearms, telephone tapping and analysis of CCTV footage and sounds, Law and Order Ministry Secretary Jagath Wijeweera said.
Handpicked Criminal Investigations Department (CID) detectives, now under training, will work in the new unit. Under this Seoul-funded project, Government Analyst’s Department facilities also are being upgraded simultaneously.
The facial recognition technology will be used to analyse CCTV footage and track down persons wanted for criminal activities.
The lab would have the facility for speedy investigations of cyber crime including the ability to trace or track the device used in the crime within 24 hours, Mr Wijeweera explained.
At present, such investigations are handled by different agencies including private institutes and various universities. This has led to delays investigations and legal action. “Delays in conducting investigations provide opportunity for the offender to further victimise the victim, particularly in cases of cyber crime,” the secretary said.
The lab would also have facilities to track down illegal financial transactions instead of depending on other agencies.
Deputy Inspector General Priyantha Jayakody, who is in charge of the Criminal Records Division, said that the facility would expedite investigations as currently some parts of the investigations were being carried out by outside agencies.
“We have to be on the waiting list on some universities to carry out part of the investigations now. There are delays in getting the reports leading to difficulties in controlling criminal activities,” he said. The move would also help to protect the privacy of the victims, particularly in cyber crime cases.
At present, at least 15 cases of cyber crime are reported daily to the CID. The South Korean government is providing US$ 3.2 million for the project through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).