Application of forensic analysis methods in the field of investigation of recruitment of people for sexual slavery abroad

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the analysis of the human trafficking problem, with a focus on sexual exploitation as one of the main forms of this crime. The author examines this issue from various aspects, particularly through the lens of statistical data, legislative norms, and investigative methods. Special attention is given to the situation in Ukraine, where human trafficking, exacerbated by the full-scale war with Russia, remains an extremely relevant and complex problem. Prior to the conflict, Ukraine ranked 49th among 167 countries in the prevalence of modern slavery. However, due to recent events, the scale and prevalence of this crime have significantly increased. Utilizing statistical data from the National Police of Ukraine, the article points out the high latency of this crime and the significant proportion of sexual exploitation among human trafficking cases. In the context of legal regulation, the author analyzes international and national normative acts that prohibit slavery and human exploitation. In particular, attention is drawn to Article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the relevant articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The article describes how human trafficking is conducted both at the national and transnational levels, with an emphasis on the difficulties of detection and investigation of such crimes due to their hidden nature. It is noted that the investigation of such crimes requires the use of two methods of inquiry: information from witnesses and victims, which can be less effective, and data from operational-search activities, which provides maximum efficiency. For investigating offenses related to sexual exploitation abroad, criminal analysis methods are used, including the analysis of connections, events, departmental, and open-source information. The author emphasizes the importance of using innovative technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and multimodal models based on machine learning, for more effective detection and counteraction of the crime of human trafficking. It is underscored that such technologies can complement traditional investigative methods, providing the ability to better analyze collected information and identify potential victims and criminals. The author of the article calls for attention to and resolution of the human trafficking problem in Ukraine and emphasizes the necessity of adhering to international and internal norms to combat this crime.