Identity-related crime and forensics

Abstract

With the ever-increasing importance of identity and identity management in the information society, identity-related crime is also on the rise. Combating crimes like identity theft and identity fraud, not in the least with the help of identity forensics, is a key challenge for policy makers. This chapter aims at contributing to addressing that challenge. It summarises the findings of five years of FIDIS research on identity-related crime and identity forensics. A typology is given of the various forms of identity-related crime. After an analysis of relevant socio-economic, cultural, technical, and legal aspects of identity-related crime, potential countermeasures are discussed. We then move on to forensic aspects, with a critical analysis of pitfalls in forensic identification and case studies of mobile networks and biometric devices. Next, forensic profiling is discussed from a wide range of perspectives. The chapter concludes with lessons drawn from the five years of FIDIS research in the area of identity-related crime and forensic aspects of identity. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.