INTERPOL highlighted potential benefits of tools based on Metaverse technologies, emphasizing their potential for training law enforcement officers. The agency also emphasized the growing level of crime in virtual space.
The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) published a white paper that details the potential benefits of Metaverse tools for law enforcement and judicial and investigative agencies.
In particular, platforms that use Metaverse technologies are seen by INTERPOL as a valuable tool for training law enforcement officers. According to Jürgen Stock, Secretary General of INTERPOL, Metaverses are still in their infancy, though have great potential for transformation in the future, so the agency plans to be ready for these changes.
The white paper examines various aspects of Metaverse technologies that can assist law enforcement agencies around the world. Among them are:
- Using Metaverse platforms to create virtual crime scenes, allowing investigators to analyze them remotely and play out different versions of events.
- Using virtual crime scenes in trials, allowing juries and judges to visit crime scenes and better understand the context and details of cases before reaching a verdict.
- Using augmented reality (AR) tools at crime scenes, allowing investigators to quickly explore the space by creating immersive 3D off-site workspaces.
- The rapid sharing of information via Metaverse tools will improve coordination between different law enforcement agencies and enhance threat response.
In addition to the obvious benefits of using Metaverse technologies for law enforcement, the paper also emphasizes the growing level of cybercrime directly related to the use of virtual reality. According to Stock, the advantages of Metaverses are also their disadvantages, as it’s nearly impossible to ensure complete security of the virtual world at the moment. However, INTERPOL regularly provides recommendations to law enforcement agencies in the framework of countering cybercrime.
The white paper emphasizes the growing level of the following crimes related to virtual space:
- non-futurable token (NFT) fraud;
- cyber-physical attacks;
- counterfeiting and theft of digital identities;
- theft of 3D virtual/cultural property;
- stalking and sexual harassment.
As virtual space attracts more users, INTERPOL believes that Metaverse platforms will become an important source of data and evidence for investigators. Therefore, to effectively investigate cybercrime, law enforcement must learn how to:
- access data from VR headsets and haptic devices;
- recover evidence using the Metaverse infrastructure;
- obtain data from third-party service providers.
In 2022, INTERPOL created its own Metaverse universe to optimize communication between police departments around the world in the fight against cybercrime.
