Law enforcement access to digital data and the challenges of crime prevention (LAITE)

Digital data is increasingly becoming part of preliminary investigations into suspected crimes. The goal should be for law enforcement authorities to have timely access to information: this enables the detection of crimes and ensures that access to information is balanced with privacy protection, cybersecurity interests, and the rights of the victim.

Empirical research is used to identify concrete, identifiable factors that weaken or prevent timely access to digital information in police criminal investigations and that continue to affect both the ability to investigate suspected crimes and the realization of the rights of the injured party. The results can be taken into account when planning legislation and other measures.

The study is based on the European Commission's 2025 roadmap "Access to data for effective law enforcement" and the measures to be implemented to ensure access to the information required for effective law enforcement. Law enforcement authorities' access to information is also linked to Petteri Orpo's government program on strengthening crime prevention and combating organized crime.

The final report of the project will be for internal use by the police administration. A public summary of the report (in Finnish and Swedish) will be published.

Timescale: October–December 2025

Funding: Ministry of the Interior

Contact persons at the Police University College: Researcher Johanna Parviainen (Project Manager) and Researcher Maarit Oksanen. Emails in the format [email protected].