The Use of Probabilistic AI in Law Enforcement and the Criminal Justice System of England and Wales

This report provides a detailed account of how probabilistic AI is being introduced, understood, and operationalised across law enforcement and the wider criminal justice system of England and Wales. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with professionals from policing, prosecution, the Bar, government, oversight bodies, and the technology sector, it examines perceptions, their practical use, and the gap between intended design and user experience. The report examines implementation challenges, including the risks arising when AI outputs feed into further automated processes, while also assessing the operational benefits AI can deliver when deployed responsibly. It further considers the funding and innovation structures shaping adoption, evaluates the adequacy of current institutional, evidential, and governance arrangements, and concludes with recommendations for the bodies responsible for overseeing these technologies.