Changes in the investigative environment go beyond simply adopting technology; they redefine the roles of detectives, investigative methods, and even the scope of legal responsibility. In an era where smartphones have become a primary source of evidence and AI analyzes vast amounts of data, what new challenges do detectives face?

Smartphones at the Core: The Importance of Digital Evidence

As of 2026, smartphones have become the most crucial source of digital evidence in criminal investigations. According to one report, 97% of respondents identified smartphones as the top source of digital evidence, a 24 percentage point increase from 2024. Mobile messengers, location information, and application data are now used as key clues in cases. Investigative agencies, as well as ordinary citizens, expect the use of digital evidence in most cases, indicating that digital evidence is no longer an optional tool but a fundamental prerequisite for investigations.

• Evidence Source Shift: Investigative focus moves from physical scenes to personal devices and digital logs
• Social Expectation: Citizens expect the use of digital evidence in most cases
• Investigative Flow Change: Digital evidence itself defines how cases are structured

How AI Technology Impacts Criminal Investigations

Artificial intelligence is expected to be a key technology for increasing investigative speed and efficiency. 65% of public safety sector respondents believe AI can accelerate investigations, particularly noting its effectiveness in rapidly analyzing communication data to identify connections between individuals. In fact, the National Investigation Headquarters of the Korean National Police Agency is implementing a ‘Police Investigation Support AI’ system as part of a three-year plan from 2025 to 2027, providing functions such as summarizing case issues, foreign language translation, offering legal statutes and precedents, and drafting warrant applications.

• Increased Investigative Efficiency: AI-driven analysis of communication data, identification of connections between individuals
• Investigative Support Functions: Summarizing case issues, providing legal statutes/precedents, drafting warrant applications
• Future Plans: Introduction of image text extraction, voice recognition, and unstructured investigative data analysis functions

However, there is also caution regarding the role of AI. Kang Byung-tak, CEO of AISpera, emphasizes that AI should be used as a tool to support decision-making, not as the final arbiter in the investigative process, stating that the ultimate judgment and legal responsibility rest with the human user, not the AI. The prosecution also states that while they are pursuing the introduction of generative AI for digital evidence analysis, a ‘Human-in-the-Loop (HITL)’ system where humans intervene to verify results and explainable AI (XAI) for analysis results are necessary.

The Role and Competencies of Modern Detectives

Detectives in the era of digital transformation require different competencies than in the past. Beyond simply on-site forensics or traditional inquiries, the ability to analyze vast digital data and understand and utilize AI technology has become crucial. Furthermore, with the increase in advanced technology-based crimes such as deepfake crimes, AI-powered financial fraud, and digital sex crimes, there are more complex cases that are difficult to respond to with only experience-based investigations. Accordingly, the criminal justice system is making the establishment of an intelligent investigation system based on the cooperation between technology and humans a key task.

• Required Competencies: Digital data analysis, understanding and utilization of AI technology
• Crime Types to Address: Advanced technology-based crimes such as deepfakes, AI financial fraud, digital sex crimes
• Investigative System Goal: Establishment of an intelligent investigation system based on cooperation between technology and humans

The criminal justice system is also undergoing significant changes starting in 2026. Structural changes such as the abolition of the Public Prosecutors’ Office and the establishment of the Public Prosecution Service and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency are planned, separating investigation and prosecution. Trends to strengthen defense rights, such as the explicit codification of attorney-client privilege (ACP), are also emerging. Amidst these changes, detectives will need to acquire greater expertise and adapt to the new investigative environment.

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