Scam City : Crime Science and the Application of Technology in Crime Management

crimesci

August 21, 2025

At the MHESI Fair 2025, a panel discussion was held on the topic “Crime Science and the Application of Technology in Crime Management.” The session was moderated by Ms. Nuengruethai Singthong, Station Manager of Police TV, and featured three distinguished speakers: Pol. Lt. Col. Phiraphat Mangkalasiri, Deputy Director of Center for Crime Science ; Mr. Pakorn Thongjeen, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Security Pitch Co., Ltd.; and Pol. Col. Surachai Suksai, Deputy Commander of Nakhon Pathom Provincial Police, Project Lead of "AI Police Cyborg 1.0."

Pol. Lt. Col. Phiraphat opened the discussion by tracing the origins of Crime Science, which emerged at University College London (UCL) following the shocking assassination of Jill Dando, a renowned BBC Crime Watch journalist, in 1999. This tragic event exposed critical gaps in crime prevention and led to the establishment of the UCL Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, with the mission of developing new approaches to crime control and problem-solving.

He explained that Crime Science is distinct in its focus on problem-solving rather than solely explaining causes of crime. It draws upon interdisciplinary knowledge and technology to generate practical solutions. In Thailand, the establishment of Center for Crime Science as a Hub of Knowledge reflects the adaptation of this concept to the local context, aiming to build a knowledge base and foster international cooperation. Building on this foundation, Pol. Lt. Col. Phiraphat introduced the “Cyborg Concept”—the integration of human capability with digital technology and big data—designed to enhance policing accuracy, transparency, and responsiveness to modern crimes.

Next, Mr. Pakorn Thongjeen, CEO of Security Pitch, discussed the private sector’s role in developing AI Police Cyborg 1.0 as a prototype platform created to address real policing problems, rather than serving as a symbolic project. He explained that AI Police Cyborg is designed to connect with critical databases of the Royal Thai Police, such as arrest warrants, investigation records, and the central database of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). When combined with big data and AI, the system can uncover links in complex cases, identify suspects, and predict high-risk areas in real time.

He emphasized that the essence of Cyborg lies in the principle of Evidence-Based Policing, which relies on empirical data rather than intuition or experience alone. To illustrate, he compared Crime Science to Evidence-Based Medicine in healthcare—both rooted in proven science and reliable data. The ultimate goal, he noted, is systematic crime prevention and reduction. Looking forward, Mr. Pakorn outlined the development of self-learning AI that continuously improves by analyzing accumulated data. Such a system would not only speed up police investigations but also provide predictive analysis and actionable recommendations to officers, enabling more precise decision-making. However, he stressed that technology must remain user-friendly; if police officers cannot apply it in their daily work, even the most advanced system would remain confined to laboratories.

Finally, Pol. Col. Surachai Suksai, Deputy Commander of Nakhon Pathom Provincial Police, Project Lead of "AI Police Cyborg 1.0," concluded the session by sharing experiences from implementing the Cyborg Concept at the local level in Nakhon Pathom Province, particularly in patrol and investigative operations. He reported that Cyborg enhanced police deployment at high-risk areas, accelerated suspect network analysis, and significantly shortened the time required to resolve complex cases—from weeks to just a few days. He described Cyborg as a “decision-support tool” that genuinely strengthens local policing capabilities. Nonetheless, he cautioned that “technology is not a magic pill.” Without capacity building for officers and strong leadership support, the system cannot reach its full potential. He also noted existing challenges in infrastructure and inter-agency data integration, which must be addressed in parallel. He concluded that the pilot implementation proved the Cyborg Concept is not merely theoretical but can be applied in practice—marking a critical step toward developing new tools for combating future crimes.

The discussion on “Crime Science and the Application of Technology in Crime Management” showcased a comprehensive integration: from laying academic foundations, advancing AI Cyborg technology, and reinforcing the principle of Evidence-Based Policing, to piloting real-world applications. Collectively, these efforts illustrate that the future of Thai policing must advance along a path where humans, technology, and scientific evidence converge—to effectively confront the complex and rapidly evolving challenges of crime in the 21st century.