International project calls on Scots to design the future of digital crime fighting

A Scottish university has launched a study that will see volunteer jurors decide if digital crime fighting is “fit for purpose”.

The University of Dundee is recruiting members of the public to participate in research focusing on the quality, impartiality and reliability of digital forensic evidence and how it is used by law enforcement agencies.

Carried out by the university’s Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, the study will see citizen jurors take part in research that could “influence international investigation methods for years to come”, it is claimed.

Those who take part will feed into the European Clarus project, which is looking into how factors such as culture, gender and language can impact impartiality in digital evidence examination. Launched in 2023, the project spans six nations including Finland and Portugal.  

Professor Megan O'Neill, who teaches at the university’s school of humanities, said: “Our daily lives and the social and professional functions that influence these are becoming increasingly dependent on digital technology. This evolution needs to be mirrored by law enforcement agencies.

“Given the cross-border nature of digital crime, Clarus is allowing ourselves and our European partners to evaluate current working practices and determine whether these are fit for purpose to ensure that justice can be pursued effectively and without bias.”

Volunteers will participate in several in-person or virtual sessions over a period of 18 months and will be asked to provide feedback to the study team, forensic scientists, and representatives of Police Scotland.

Anyone over the age of 18 can take part in the study.

O’Neill added: “Public input is crucial to studies like Clarus because these mechanisms are ultimately designed to keep us all safe.

“By working with us, we can achieve our ultimate aim and determine what changes – if any – are required to ensure forensic science procedures remain transparent and accountable.”