Trafficking in human beings in the context of development of forensic science

Abstract

The article analyses trafficking in human beings as a global phenomenon. Trafficking in human beings occurs in every country and every region. Trafficking in human beings is also present in the European Union. It should be noted that almost half of the victims of trafficking in human beings in the European Union are EU citizens and a large proportion are trafficked in their own Member State. The majority of the victims in the EU are women and girls trafficked for sexual exploitation. Almost one in four victims of trafficking in human beings in the EU is a child'. The majority of traffickers in the EU are EU citizens and nearly three quarters of perpetrators are men. These crimes are very profitable for criminals, but they are inextricably linked to high human, social and economic costs. The economic costs of the EU are estimated at EUR 2.7 billion in one year’. Despite the progress made, trafficking in human beings remains a serious threat in the European Union, putting thousands of people, in particular women and children, at risk every year. The traffickers have shifted to a new business model, starting to recruit and exploit victims online, making it more difficult for law enforcement and judicial authorities to respond to such crimes. There is a need for wide-ranging legal, political and operational initiatives to combat human trafficking in a coherent and consistent manner —from prevention to conviction of criminals while emphasising the protection of victims at all stages, taking into account in particular women and child victims as well as trafficking for sexual exploitation. In our view, representatives of forensic science are not yet paying enough attention to this issue. This must be one of the strategic directions for the development of forensic science. AI can contribute to the objectives of the EU Security Strategy.