LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Detectives in the crimes against children division tackle some of the most difficult cases police investigate. However, as technology continues to advance, they\u2019re up against a growing societal foothold – artificial intelligence. <\/p>\n
Detective Jeff Buschman serves in the internet crimes against children division for the Lubbock Police Department. He explains they receive cases based off of tips from other agencies and the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe very first thing we have to do is say, \u2018Okay, is this a crime that occurred here in Lubbock, Texas,\u2019\u201d Bushman said.<\/p>\n
Once LPD verifies the case is based in Lubbock, investigators start gathering information. One of the places they turn to is social media and internet service providers, which Buschman said is one of the longest parts of the investigation process.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we start to send out subpoenas and then these search warrants, we\u2019re sending them to these large internet companies,\u201d Buschman said. \u201cWe\u2019re it to, if you think of, places like Facebook, AT&T, Verizon, and we\u2019re really moving at the speed that they allow us to move.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with delayed responses, detectives are often forced to narrow their request parameters. This makes the information request take longer. Once results finally roll in, law enforcement then has to comb through years of data. The return often provides messages, contact information, posts people have made or interacted with, links and advertisements they\u2019ve interacted with.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you\u2019re trying to sort of weed out the noise,\u201d Buschman explains. \u201cYou kind of have to push that aside and go \u2018I really just need to see, for instance, if this suspect communicated with this victim in this way.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports it received 20.5 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation last year. Those allegations involve nearly 63 million photos or videos.<\/p>\n
Buschman explains part of that statistic could be children getting tricked by online predators who are posing as another child or teenager.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s an entire app, that its whole goal is to say, \u2018Hey, if you send it. It will be deleted\u2019 and that\u2019s what every kid communicates with right? They think, you know, those pictures are gone now,\u201d Buschman said.<\/p>\n
LPD wants to be clear that\u2019s not the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need to say as a parent, \u2018Hey, those pictures aren\u2019t gone.\u2019 As a detective, I can tell you, that when we do search warrants those pictures are not gone,\u201d Buschman said. \u201cWe get those returns back.\u201d<\/p>\n
He urges parents and guardians to maintain open conversation with their child while also setting a clear boundary when it comes to social media, the internet and technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust going into your kid\u2019s life and treating it like any other part of their life,\u201d Buschman said.<\/p>\n
He compared it to asking to go to a friend\u2019s house. Parents want to know: Whose house? Where is it? Who all will be there? How are you getting there and getting home? Buschman said conversations need to be similar when it comes to the online sphere.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot even in a bad way, just in a way that said I care enough about my child that I want to keep them safe,\u201d Buschman said.<\/p>\n
To the rest of the public, LPD encourages awareness. The department is asking for you to follow the protocol: if you see something, say something.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a child makes an outcry to you, we need people to stand in that gap for that kid and to come forward,\u201d Buschman said.<\/p>\n
LPD encourages you to do that in anyway, but detectives with the crimes against children division are specifically requesting you don\u2019t do it anonymously. Buschman explains, anonymous tips slow down an investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow could this person know this much,\u201d Buschman said, \u201cand yet, I don\u2019t even know who they are?\u201d<\/p>\n
Without a name, detectives are left with no place to start. They have the information, but no way to ask or answer questions. Buschman said that changes when a person comes forward and is willing to stick around by the child\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
Then detectives can ask the basic questions that reveal big answers in an investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me, how long have you seen this? Tell me, what do you know about all of this?\u201d Buschman questions.<\/p>\n
He said having a name give law enforcement a boost in the investigative process and help them give a child justice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think being willing to come forward and go through the entire process that would make this community protect our kids so much better,\u201d Buschman said.<\/p>\n
Buschman urges anyone who knows of a crime or suspicious activity to report it to law enforcement. Tips can be made by calling Crimeline at (806) 741-1000 or filing an online report through P3 Tips<\/a>, an online system used by LPD.<\/p>\n