A novel community philosophy approach to understanding public perceptions around the use of technology in the criminal justice system.

Citation

Millen A, Arora V, Matthews B, Mycroft HL & Sidebottom K (2026) A novel community philosophy approach to understanding public perceptions around the use of technology in the criminal justice system.. National Crime Agency.

Abstract
This project aimed to engage critically with the public to understand existing perceptions of the social, ethical, and legal issues around the use of technology in the criminal justice system. The use of technology in the criminal justice system (e.g., facial recognition systems, computerised lie detection) is ethically complex and the centre of much controversy. The understanding and reception of these systems is diverse, fragmented, and shaped by complex social and cultural experiences. We probed knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs via online community philosophy (CP) inquiry groups and surveys issued before and after the CP inquiry. Data were recorded, transcribed and coded using qualitative research methods. We present the key themes that emerged from the inquiries and examine the value of employing a community philosophy dialogical approach for facilitating new thinking in this context.