Travel Intelligence to Prevent the Exploitation of Air Transportation for Criminal Purposes

• In Event: Policing Global Issues: Dimensions and Challenges

Abstract

Globalization has transformed the movement of goods and people, presenting opportunities and challenges for border security. While it facilitates trade and travel, it also increases the risk of undetected illicit activities crossing borders. Border Guards (BGs) and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) play a crucial role in screening passengers and goods to proactively identify potential threats. Adopting a risk-based approach is essential for identifying high-risk passengers while minimizing costs. However, effectively distinguishing passengers based on risk requires advanced intelligence-based profiling. BGs and LEAs often lack the necessary technical skills and tools and may overlook the importance of coupling passenger data with information about transnational crime patterns.
The Horizon Europe TENACITy Project addresses this gap by pioneering advanced intelligence-based risk assessment models. These models leverage passenger data alongside insights into criminal actors, transportation methods, and common routes associated with illicit activities. The project aims to estimate the probability of specific passengers exhibiting behavior patterns potentially linked to criminal involvement. This facilitates the development of precise risk profiles, enabling the early detection of high-risk individuals and enhancing travel intelligence practices.

Author

• Deborah Manzi, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore - Transcrime