Exploring the Optimal Intercept Access Point Placement Problem in Software-Defined Networks

Digital Wiretap Warrant: Improving the security of ETSI Lawful Interception

The article deals with the search for ways to combine the efforts of customs and law enforcement agencies in the fight against illegal attempts to move goods, objects or substances across the customs border of a country. The concept and basic principles of law enforcement activities are studied, as well as the criteria for inclusion in such a system. By analyzing the powers of a number ofstate bodies, the author has compiled a list of law enforcement agencies involved in the fight against smuggling. It is emphasized that customs authorities today can be fully attributed to law enforcement agencies. Approaches to understanding the interaction of law enforcement agencies, its principles and directions of implementation are considered in detail. The author critically assesses the absence of a legal act regulating the procedure for interaction of bodies in in the fight against crime. While there is definitely a need for this, although the issues of interaction are locally outlined in special laws on individual state (law enforcement) agencies. It is recognized that modern regulation of issues of interaction between law enforcement agencies, and their list should be updated in the light of the reforms of such bodies, and must necessarily include customs authorities. It is emphasized that the problem of duplication of tasks and functions, chasing indicators and creating the illusion of an active fight against crime, has been relevant for more than two decades. Despite changes in legislation, liquidation or reorganization of previous bodies and the creation of new ones, renewal of personnel and units, the lack of clear delineation of powers of law enforcement agencies, and sometimes of law enforcement agencies, and sometimes dual competence or departmental ambitions, lead to a distortion of the actual picture of the organization of countering smuggling. The author outlines certain risks of interference with the organization and implementation of customs control that arise from a destructive perception of interaction. The institutional capacity of customs authorities as a lever is considered for improving the mechanism of interaction between the State Customs Service and law enforcement agencies. The author substantiates the expediency of including operational units to the list of subjects of operational and investigative activities. The author additionally argues that the prospect of granting customs authorities to conduct pre-trial investigations, and it is proposed to to delimit the powers of the authorities conducting it, for which purpose to determine the jurisdiction of the crime of “Smuggling of goods” for the bodies of the State Customs Service of Ukraine.

Összefoglalás. A tanulmány célja a mesterséges intelligencia (MI) belügyi és biztonsági célú alkalmazásának bemutatása, különös figyelemmel az arcfelismerő rendszerek és egyéb MI alapú megoldások rendvédelmi, nemzetbiztonsági, valamint önkormányzati és vízgazdálkodási területen való alkalmazásának lehetőségeire, adatvédelmi és kibervédelmi szempontjaira. A tanulmány ennek kapcsán mind az irányadó magyar és európai uniós előírásokat és célkitűzéseket, mind az MI-re irányadó hatósági gyakorlatot számba veszi és ismerteti, valamint ezek tanulságait összefoglalja és kiértékeli az egyes MI alapú megoldások sajátosságainak figyelembevételével. Summary. The purpose of the study is to take a closer look on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) concerning internal affairs and for security purposes, with a key focus on facial recognition systems and other solutions used by law enforcement and national security agencies to answer new challenges posed by cybercrime and criminal networks spreading through the cyberspace. In the light of the above, the study further takes into account the risks associated with the usage of AI solutions concerning internal affairs and for security purposes and tries to find possible measures to minimize them. Bearing this in mind, the study highlights the key relevant Hungarian and European Union requirements and goals, including the approach of the European Union concerning biometric identification and the Hungarian AI Strategy’s vision on the usage of AI based solutions for administrative, law enforcement, defense and military national security purposes. The study further analyzes the practical aspects of the usage of AI solutions by law enforcement agencies and the key aspects of facial recognition systems and other similar solutions. This includes the territory affected by the system, the period of monitoring, the human revision of the results presented by the algorithms, as well as data security minimum requirements and the rights of data subjects affected by AI solutions (e.g. sufficient information provided on the processing of their data in accordance with the national and public interests related to the usage of AI solutions). In addition to the above, the study further discusses the use of AI solutions by national security agencies, including the aspects of monitoring dark web activities conducted by criminal and terrorist organizations and ways for national agencies to intercept messages and gather evidence by new solutions in line with data protection and constitutional requirements. Finally, the study helps us understand, how AI based solutions can be used for facilitating everyday work of local governments (with a key focus on chatbot services and self-service opportunities) and for solving water management related tasks more efficiently, thus creating a more modern administration, where citizens can easily interact with administrative bodies and technical or simpler tasks are undertaken by algorithms. All in all, the study outlines how AI is currently used concerning internal affairs and for security purposes and how it can be used to help law enforcement and national security agencies fight new forms of crime empowered by technology or to further modernize local governments and water management systems and apply AI based solutions in accordance with data protection requirements and procedural laws.

With the widespread use of social media platforms, individuals have increasingly turned to these platforms to report crimes, creating an evolving landscape for law enforcement and security agencies. Social media-based crime reporting has emerged as a transformative approach to public safety, offering real-time updates, accessibility, and community engagement. This study examines how social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter promote community mobilization and real-time information sharing by applying Information Diffusion Theory (IDT) and Social Network Theory (SNT). Notable examples, such as the Aluu Four lynching, End-SARS movement, Chibok kidnapping and the 2023 presidential elections amongst other events, demonstrate how social media plays a crucial role in increasing public knowledge, coordinating group efforts, and impacting legislative reforms. However, this innovative method of reporting also brings forth several security implications that demand careful consideration. By examining the advantages and challenges of social media for crime reporting, this study aims to provide insights into how such practices can enhance security measures while mitigating potential risks. This study, therefore, explores these security concerns and strategies for enhancing the security implications of social media-based crime reporting. It discusses the potential risks of misinformation, privacy issues, tipping off perpetrators, and the inadvertent exposure of victims and witnesses. The results emphasize the importance of adopting a well-rounded strategy to utilize the capabilities of social media for reporting crimes, while also acknowledging the difficulties it presents. The study highlights the need for collaboration between law enforcement agencies, policymakers, social media platforms, and the public to develop a robust legal framework, promote responsible reporting practices, and protect evidence integrity. The study therefore recommends the use of sophisticated verification technology, the establishment of responsible reporting criteria, collaboration with social media platforms, and the implementation of strong privacy protection measures.

The article is devoted to the problem of migration in the Russia-Kazakhstan border-zone in 2003-2016. Historiography on this topic is still in its infancy, published works are often interdisciplinary and rely almost on archival funds. Currently, the development of historical research in the field of migration and frontier studies is hampered by an insufficiently studied source base, primarily specialized archival funds and document collections reflecting migration processes in the border-zone, and assessments by regional authorities of the risks associated with border status. To further enhance scientific knowledge on the issue, it is important for the historical community to understand what materials on this issue are available in archives, their potential, and the range of topics that can be studied based on these documents. Thus, the repository of the United State Archive of the Chelyabinsk Region (OGACHO) has a fund of the Main Directorate for Interaction with Law Enforcement and Military Agencies, which revealed valuable documents for the period when cooperation between the Russian and Kazakh sides on the preventing illegal migration and smuggling was intensifying. This occurred against the background of strengthening cooperation between the authorities and security agencies of the Russian and Kazakh regions after the 2003 Forum of Border Regions in Omsk. The materials of the archive fund are limited to 2016, when large-scale reforms of the Ministry of Internal Affairs took place and the accumulated documents were transferred to the archive for safekeeping. The materials of the extended meetings of the FSB Board and the Security Council of the Chelyabinsk region can provide a systematic understanding of cross-border security issues to the historians. During these meetings, the annual work of government and law enforcement agencies was summarized, including various statistical indicators, challenges to cross-border security were outlined and so on. The introduction of these documents into scholarly will help better understand the migration situation on the border with Kazakhstan over the past two decades. Taking into account the limited volume of the manuscript, the author focused primarily on the interactions of enforcement agencies in the Chelyabinsk and Kostanay regions, as well as on the the characteristics of illegal migration and smuggling routes across the border. Such documents are just beginning to be introduced into scholarly, so it is crucial to expand the source base and incorporate data from the archives of other Russian and Kazakh regions to continue the research.

Citizens around the globe are demanding better services and more responsiveness from their local, state, and national governments. Governments are responding to this challenge by implementing a vast range of information technologies (IT) that crosses departmental and organizational boundaries. Integration and information sharing among government agencies have the potential to increase the productivity and performance of government operations, improve policy-making, and provide better services to citizens (Akbulut, 2003; Dawes, 1996; Landsbergen & Wolken, 2001). For example, September 11, 2001 terrorist-related events have shown the importance of integration and information sharing among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in order to protect the safety of citizens by combating crime and terrorism. As Whiting and Chabrow (2001) pointed out, “The intelligence gaps among law enforcement agencies became obvious in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. Two of the suspected hijackers, for example, reportedly were on an INS watch list. But that information never found its way to the Federal Aviation Administration…” (p. 2). As the investigation into these attacks continues, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs Service, the INS, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, as well as other law enforcement and intelligence agencies are trying to share information on an extraordinary scale.

Purpose Law enforcement agencies in the United States are relying on state fusion centers for intelligence to develop actionable, data-driven reports that increase efficiency and improve investigations in crime prevention and homeland security. This study assesses the extent to which artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) are increasingly shaping intelligence operations in law enforcement and the functions of state fusion centers in supporting intelligence-led policing (ILP). The reliance and integration of AI/ML is improving analytic accuracy, situational awareness and information and data sharing and collaboration among law enforcement and homeland security agencies. This study examines the state of contemporary academic literature, assesses AI/ML applications used in law enforcement and builds a conceptual and theoretical framework centered on ILP policing. It also relies on empirical data, case study applications, and DHS assessments to explore the degree to which AI-driven processes and analytics enhance criminal intelligence, investigative efficiencies, situational awareness and predictive policing. The analysis, while focusing on the opportunities and challenges of using AI/ML tools in law enforcement, also highlights the need for ethical governance, transparency and accountability when relying on advanced technologies for crime prevention and policing. Design/methodology/approach This study utilizes qualitative methods, including a thematic content analysis of government and think tank/practitioner reports as well as academic literature on the benefits, costs and ethical factors regarding variations in the implementation of AI/ML tools for law enforcement intelligence products and resource allocation. For cross-validation of operational outcomes, it examines publicly available information in the DHS Fusion Center Annual Assessment, Bureau of Justice Statistics, LEMAS and RAND Corporation assessments of intelligence-led policing. Findings Qualitative Results Federal and state sources report fusion centers and law enforcement agencies integrating advanced analytic and ML-enabled tools into each step in the criminal intelligence lifecycle process. However, ethical and structural challenges limit and constrain technology-driven narratives in fusion centers. Given these challenges, there is a consistent qualitative and thematic pattern: state fusion centers now function as criminal intelligence analytic hubs or resources that leverage the most contemporary analytic and data-driven tools for criminal intelligence and law enforcement investigations. Interrelated themes describe AI/ML technologies in terms of shaping, constraining and complicating the intelligence lifecycle in fusion centers and law enforcement operations. Seven specific themes emerged from latent coding are illustrated in the chart. Research limitations/implications There are limitations on the collection of quantitative data since DHS, leading think tanks and NGOs do not disclose specific figures on the proportion of AI/ML tools. The DHS Fusion Center Annual Assessment process monitors technology adoption and the growth of analytic capabilities throughout the national network of fusion centers; however, the specific quantitative statistics are not disclosed in public summaries (DHS, 2024). Second, publicly available data and information constitute the bulk of empirical sources. Consequently, this study relies primarily on qualitative narrative reporting, not quantitative performance metrics. Third, publication bias is likely present in industry and government sources as these reports may provide overly optimistic observations and conclusions while overlooking ethical dilemmas, failures and challenges. Moreover, qualitative thematic analysis could reflect broader structural narratives as opposed to empirical outcomes. Finally, since AI/ML adoption varies across fusion centers and according to technology levels, qualitative themes identified in this study must be read as representative patterns and not as universally generalizable. Originality/value Fusion center utilization of AI/ML technologies is as much an operational tool as it is a policy, governance and ethical challenge. Successful and professional use in support of law enforcement is about placing technological innovations firmly within institutional accountability and constitutional guardrails. On the one hand, AI/ML tools are enhancing analytical intelligence production by accelerating analytic workflows, predictive modeling and expanding data/information integration capabilities. AI/ML are extending ILP concepts by offering improvements in situational awareness and threat identification and operational efficiencies. On the other, substantial constraints hinder responsible use of these technologies. In the absence of standardized oversight frameworks, data-quality issues, algorithmic bias and the lack of professional development, workforce capacity and critical skills on the part of fusion center analysts will cancel the benefits of these tools.

The characteristics of blockchain established a desirable platform for entities to innovate and operate in a secure, transparent, and decentralised manner. However, cybercriminals have increasingly found refuge in the decentralised environment of blockchain technology. Cryptocurrencies are increasingly misused in malicious activities that encompass the trade of illicit goods, money laundering, various types of scams and ransomware attacks. The total cryptocurrency value received by illicit addresses reached an all-time high of $20.6 billion in 2022 according to Chainalysis. The inherent privacy and anonymity features of many blockchain networks make it challenging for law enforcement and regulatory agencies to track and apprehend wrongdoers. Consequently, a pressing need arises not only to initiate investigations on the blockchain to identify unlawful activities, but also to discover connections between these activities and the identities of the responsible individuals. Due to blockchain data being publicly available, the application of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques is proposed to facilitate these types of investigations. In the context of blockchain, OSINT, together with investigation tools hold the promise of unearthing valuable information that could aid in attributing malicious activities to the individuals responsible for those actions. By analysing and synthesizing data from publicly accessible sources, such as data from blockchain explorers and link analysis tools such Chainalysis, Maltego or Spiderfoot, investigators could potentially unveil valuable clues that assist in building a comprehensive picture of blockchain-related criminal activities. Ultimately, with sufficient information and actionable intelligence collected, the main goal is to link it to Know Your Customer (KYC) data, that could be obtained from cryptocurrency exchanges via a subpoena from law enforcement agencies. This paper delves into the mechanisms of various OSINT tools and techniques, to determine their adaptability to the specific demands of blockchain investigations. This study provides a methodology and recommendations with insights into how these tools can be wielded to bridge the gap between blockchain's pseudonymity and real-world identities.

This study examined the contribution of the Provincial Forensic Team (PFT) to the effectiveness and efficiency of investigative operations in local police stations in Cavite. The research aimed to evaluate how forensic support enhances criminal investigation processes and to identify areas for improvement that may strengthen forensic services and inter-agency collaboration. Specifically, the study assessed the impact of PFT assistance in crime scene investigation, forensic analysis, training and capacity building, research and development, and coordination with other law enforcement agencies. The study employed a descriptive research design using simple random sampling. Respondents consisted of police officers assigned to the Tagaytay Component City Police Station (CCPS) and personnel from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) unit located in Barangay Mendez Crossing East, Tagaytay City. Data were collected using a structured survey questionnaire and analyzed through statistical tools such as frequency distribution and weighted mean. Findings revealed that respondents generally rated the Provincial Forensic Team’s contribution as highly positive, particularly in improving crime scene investigation procedures, strengthening forensic analysis, supporting training initiatives, and enhancing collaboration among investigative agencies. However, several operational challenges were identified, including insufficient financial resources, outdated forensic equipment, heavy case workloads, and coordination inefficiencies, which may limit the effectiveness of forensic services. Based on these findings, the study recommends increased funding for forensic operations, modernization of forensic equipment and technology, continuous professional training for forensic personnel, and stronger collaboration among law enforcement and judicial agencies.

PurposeGlobal evidence suggests a potential displacement of youth offending from the physical to the digital landscape, requiring revision of existing detection and intervention methods. This study aims to explore pathways from harmful to illegal online activity perpetrated by young people, legislation and police perspectives, current detection methods and interventions.Design/methodology/approachThis perspective paper examines issues observed within a larger systematic literature review on digital youth offending.FindingsA trajectory from acceptable to harmful and subsequently illegal behaviour was identified, with a particular pathway from unethical video game activity to digitally dependent offending. Legislation and police perspectives vary by jurisdiction, with a common theme that increased officer education is key to the level of preparedness to investigate cases. Machine learning and automatic prevention show promise as detection and disruption processes, with education recommended for young people as a deterrent and redirection of skills to positive outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsRecommendations for further research include a broad survey of school students to include all identified areas of digital offending, which could drive the development of targeted education by law enforcement and partner agencies for young people.Practical implicationsThe shift in youth offending requires the justice and educational systems to adjust how they respond to youth crime. Policy and practise shifts can include further exploration of investigative hacking, education for law enforcement and educational prevention and redirection programmes aimed at youth.Originality/valueThe digital displacement of youth offending is a progressively emerging concept. This paper examines the current state of response from educational and law enforcement agencies and discusses the next steps based on what is currently known.

Objective To understand how knowledgeable and equipped the law enforcement agents in Nigeria are to enforce the drink-drive law. Method We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of Law Enforcement Agents in four Nigerian states selected by convenient sampling. The study utilized a pre-tested questionnaire designed to obtain subjects’ demographic data, elicit their knowledge about drink-drive law, and understand how equipped the subjects are. A team member walked respondents through the questions to ensure comprehension and accuracy with completion of the questions. Result 496 law enforcement agents were studied. They were 414(83.5%) male and 82(16.5%) females, mostly aged 21-40 years (64.3%). Close to half (48.2%) were police officers, while 35.7% were officers in the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC). 45% of respondents had secondary/high school education, while 39.5% had bachelor’s degree; with a significant majority in the FRSC. 269(54.2%) respondents had convicted a road user of drunk driving/riding on the basis of subjective assessment. The use of breathalyzers and awareness of permissible Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)/Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC), was reported by a few respondents (5%), mostly FRSC officers, and others with relatively higher educational attainment. The majority were ignorant of the approved BAC limit in Nigeria (0.05 g/100 dl) and objective methods of assessing breath alcohol concentrations. Conclusion In Nigeria, there is a huge knowledge gap on the drink-drive law and the acceptable penalties for offenders in Nigeria among law enforcement agents. The law enforcement agents lack equipment for objectively detecting drunk driving among road users. Our findings call for an urgent intervention in the training and practice of law enforcement agents if the prevalence of RTC arising from drunk driving will be reduced in Nigeria.

In their forefront role to address human trafficking, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have often faced challenges in efforts to investigate this crime. Non-traditional partnerships should be explored to improve strategies to investigate human trafficking. Could private investigation agencies (PIAs) collaborate with LEAs to help improve human trafficking investigations? The present study examines PIAs’ experiences of collaboration with LEAs for human trafficking investigations. A mixed research method design was used. Purposive sampling was used to select 81 participants representing 81 PIAs for a survey. Follow-up semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 of the 39 survey participants who reported that their agencies had collaborated with LEAs for human trafficking investigations. The findings show varying levels of success and challenges for PIAs in interagency collaboration with LEAs. The challenges to collaboration identified could be mostly explained by LEAs’ misperceptions of private investigators, their over-reliance on a criminal approach instead of a victim-centered one in investigating trafficking cases and recovering victims, and legal or ethical limitations. Positive aspects of PIA–LEA partnerships regarding human trafficking investigations were discussed and so were strategies to address inherent challenges to interagency collaboration. Several policy implications were discussed for developing and improving partnership initiatives with law enforcement in an effort to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute trafficking cases.

To examine the extent to which law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and gun retailers are willing to offer voluntary, temporary storage as a part of an overall suicide prevention effort. We invited all LEAs and gun retailers in 8 US states to respond to questionnaires asking about their willingness to offer temporary gun storage and their recommendations to gun owners about safe storage. We collected data in 2016 from 448 LEAs and 95 retailers (response rates of 53% and 25%, respectively). Three quarters of LEAs (74.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 72.1, 77.5) indicated they already provided temporary storage compared with 47.6% (95% CI = 39.2, 56.0) of retailers. LEAs were most willing to provide storage when a gun owner was concerned about the mental health of a family member. Retailers were more receptive than were LEAs to providing storage when visitors were coming or for people wanting storage while traveling. Both groups recommended locking devices within the home, but LEAs were slightly more favorable to storing guns away from the home. Law enforcement agencies and gun retailers are important resources for families concerned about suicide.

Background. In the last quarter of the 19th – early 20th century. in the Russian Empire, there was an intensification of the revolutionary and strike movement, as well as the growth of state opposition. To restore order and ensure control, the governors of the regions, including the Vladimir province, were given broader powers in the field of interaction with law enforcement agencies. New structures were created to fight the opposition: the factory police, a network of agents, and others. The article analyzes the effectiveness of interaction between governors and law enforcement agencies, reveals the personnel policy of the provincial government. The purpose of the article is to study the effectiveness of interaction between the Vladimir governors and law enforcement agencies in the last quarter of the 19th – early 20th centuries. Materials and methods. The materials for the study were official documents of the State Archives of the Vladimir Region, the State Archives of the Ivanovo Region and the State Archives of the Russian Federation. The methodological basis of this study is the principles of historicism and consistency, implemented thanks to the problem-chronological, historical-genetic and analytical methods. Results. The article discusses the interaction of the governors of the Vladimir province with law enforcement agencies in problem situations. During the period of growing opposition sentiments, the governors comprehensively resorted to the functions of law enforcement agencies. At the end of XIX – beginning of XX century it was planned to soften the course of the governors in relation to the opposition, they avoided direct intervention. The governors were interested in the protection of law and order in the region. The peculiarity of the work of the provincial government with the personnel of law enforcement agencies is given. Conclusion. The results of the study can be applied in a regional study of similar “internal” provinces of the Russian Empire on this issue, also for the preparation of manuals and lectures on the relationship of governors and law enforcement agencies.

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of public administration features formation in the conditions of strategic changes. The article focuses on the law enforcement agencies’ role in public administration in Ukraine. The main directions of public administration improvement within the framework of European integration reform are considered. Public administration development stages within the framework of state-public relations are determined. The content and state’s law-enforcement function peculiarities are analyzed. Due to major socio-political changes, the importance to develop and implement fundamentally new approaches to state’s law-enforcement function implementation is proved. The consequences of law-enforcement function limitation by legal forms and active use of illegal content forms are analyzed. Firstly, it covers a wide range of public relations and processes through law enforcement activities. Secondly, it promotes non-governmental organizations and citizens involvement in law-enforcement process. Thirdly, it reflects the objective pattern inherent in the rule of law. The law enforcement agencies’ role of a democratic state in law enforcement process is investigated. The law-enforcement agencies are regarded as public authorities empowered to monitor compliance with legislation in a particular defined area of law, to use coercion to enforce their tasks. The content of state’s law-enforcement bodies, their organization and activity determined by law, is revealed. The current problems of administrative decision preparation and organization of law-enforcement activity, in particular anti-corruption, are considered. The public administration elements in relation to each law-enforcement anti-corruption activity entities are considered.