How Law Enforcement Uses Social Media

How Law Enforcement Uses Social Media

I’ve seen a fair share of social media posts containing incriminating images of everything under the sun. You may think social media is a safe haven for self-expression. Think again.

What you post can land you in jail. Many police departments are experimenting with social media to help catch criminals.

The folks at LexisNexis and PoliceOne have created an infographic that explains how law enforcement uses social media.

How Law Enforcement Uses Social Media

The Missing Persons Report. 4 out of 5 officers use social media for investigative purposes. Other uses include community outreach, soliciting crime tips, notifying the public and recruitment.

The Search Warrant. When challenged, social media as evidence for search warrants holds up in court.

What Investigative Activities Are Done Via Social Media:

  • 75% Identify associates affiliated with persons of interest
  • 70% Identify location of criminal activity
  • 60% Gather photos of statements to corroborate evidence
  • 80% Identify criminal activity
  • 85% Identify persons of interest
  • 55% Identify/monitor persons of interest’s whereabouts
  • 30% Soliciting tips on crimes
  • 32% Anticipating crimes that may be occurring
  • 40% Understanding criminal networks
  • 25% Use info from social media as probable cause for search warrants

80% of law enforcement professionals are self-taught when it comes to using social media for investigations

Infographic

 

Social-Media-Infographic-Juntae-DeLane

 

Do you know of any stories where law enforcement used social media to catch a criminal? Please share. Post them in the comments section.

Written by
Juntae DeLane

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