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ABSTRACT

In the digital era, biometric technologies such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning have become essential for law enforcement, enabling rapid and accurate suspect identification while enhancing investigative efficiency. These technologies offer significant benefits, including crime reduction, minimization of human errors, and resource optimization. However, their use raises major challenges related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethics of surveillance. European regulations, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), impose strict restrictions on biometric data processing to prevent misuse and excessive surveillance. According to the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) recommendations, the use of facial recognition in public spaces must be justified and limited to exceptional situations. Although biometric technologies can significantly improve public safety, risks associated with algorithmic bias, which may lead to discrimination, as well as the potential misuse of collected data, remain pressing concerns. Therefore, their implementation must be transparent, ethical, and compliant with existing legislation. For the responsible use of these technologies, strict data protection measures, continuous monitoring and auditing of biometric systems, and the development of fairer algorithms are recommended. This approach ensures a balance between the operational efficiency of law enforcement agencies and the protection of fundamental rights of citizens.

KEYWORDS: artificial intelligence, biometric technologies, organized crime, public safety, law enforcement

1. Introduction

In the current digital era, biometric technologies such as facial recognition have become essential tools for law enforcement in identifying and preventing criminal activities.

These technologies enable the rapid and precise identification of individuals, facilitating prompt and effective interventions. For example, the use of realtime facial recognition can accelerate investigations and contribute to crime prevention. According to a 2021 survey conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), "20 law enforcement agencies reported possessing facial recognition systems. Six agencies stated that they used them to identify individuals who broke the law during civil disturbances, protests, and riots following the death of George Floyd" (Unite Al, 2022).

However, the implementation of these systems raises significant concerns regarding privacy and data protection. According to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), biometric data is considered a special category of data, and its processing requires strict security measures and legal compliance. Additionally, a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is required when processing...

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