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The Role of Information Technologies in a Criminal Investigation for the Portuguese Security Forces: A Case Study of the Guarda Nacional Republicana

2021; Springer Nature; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/978-981-16-4884-7_43

2190-3026

Amilcar Araújo Pereira, António Lobo de Carvalho, Luís Malheiro,

Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies

The aim of this study is to analyze the main contributions of the use of information technologies to enhance the operational efficiency of the investigation structure of the Portuguese Security Force (Gendarmerie Status), named Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR). In this work, a conceptual framework of the criminal investigation and its organic structure at the level of the GNR was carried out, and, in the same way, the legal regime inherent to the criminal investigation was analyzed and its functional aspects characterized. The role of information, as a central instrument for the institution was also evaluated, their respective functionalities are considered and the main challenges that remain are highlighted. Finally, the importance of information systems and technologies in criminal investigation and in the cooperation and interoperability of the criminal investigation structure was considered. For that, a methodology based on the hypothetical-deductive model was followed, using exploratory interviews and consequent elaboration of hypothesis, verified through confirmatory interviews. Overall, information technologies are crucial for criminal investigation activity in GNR, can help predict, monitor, and adapt to the evolution of the current criminal reality—increasing situational awareness. However, it is essential to mention that these tools are only one more resource available to support the decision-making process, in which the human element continues to be central.