In a groundbreaking use of artificial intelligence (AI), the Delhi Police employed AI technology to reconstruct the face of an unidentified man found near a flyover. The digitally reconstructed image was then disseminated through posters to aid in unraveling the mystery surrounding the victim's identity.
The initiative not only successfully identified the victim but also led to the apprehension of the perpetrators involved in the crime.
The incident took place near the Geeta Colony flyover on January 10, initiating a prompt investigative response from law enforcement. With no identifying documents found on the victim, the case was initially treated as a blind murder.
Following a 72-hour period, during which an autopsy revealed the victim had been strangled to death, a specialized team of 30 police personnel was assembled to address the challenge of establishing the victim's identity.
Utilizing AI technology, the Delhi Police digitally reconstructed the victim's face with open eyes and altered the background.
The reconstructed image was uploaded to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network (CCTN) website, connecting police across eight states. Over 400 posters were strategically distributed in the national capital, and the image was shared digitally through WhatsApp groups until January 12.
The breakthrough in the case occurred when a person, upon seeing a poster outside a police station, identified the victim as his brother, Hitendra. Further investigation revealed that Hitendra had been involved in a dispute with two individuals over a woman approximately two months prior. On January 9, the accused parties, reportedly in an inebriated condition, encountered Hitendra, leading to his strangulation.
As a result of the AI-assisted initiative, four individuals, including a woman and a cab driver, have been apprehended in connection with the case, according to police authorities."