Technology Accessibility, Barriers, & Limitations: A Law Enforcement Perspective of Human Trafficking Cases

• In Event: Roundtable: Policing Perspectives

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid technological evolution expanded the horizons of human trafficking perpetrators to recruit victims and facilitate trafficking acts. Therefore, anti-trafficking agencies, including law enforcement, need to be adaptive, innovative, and responsive in their strategies to combat human trafficking in both physical and technological environments. Though there is a multitude of literature focused on creating or theorizing innovative technologies and strategies for law enforcement to investigate human trafficking, there is limited literature dedicated to understanding current technologies, how those technologies are utilized, whether those technologies are effective, the legislative restrictions of law enforcement technology use, and gaps in technological advancements. Law enforcement personnel are the individuals that will most frequently utilize anti-trafficking technologies. Therefore, understanding law enforcement’s perspective on the aforementioned characteristics is vital to support their abilities to effectively and efficiently investigate human trafficking cases. The current study conducted semi-structured interviews with Homeland Security Investigations personnel with human trafficking experience and utilized Technology-Organization-Environment and extensionist frameworks to analyze the state of current investigative technologies and the barriers and limitations of such technologies. Such examination allowed for identification of the actual technology-related investigative gaps and needs of law enforcement that innovative technology may be catered to.

Authors

• Chivon Fitch, University of Tampa

• Jaden Denis, University of Tampa