WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (Michigan News Source) – The world of criminal investigations is facing a revolution. With over 350,000 unsolved cold case homicides in the U.S. and 10,000 more added annually, law enforcement agencies are in dire need of new solutions. Enter eSleuth AI, a game- changing platform that could unlock the mysteries behind some of the oldest unsolved cases in the country. By automating investigative processes which include police best practices and utilizing cutting-edge technology, eSleuth can provide law enforcement with a powerful new tool to tackle even the most challenging crime cases.

Supercharging investigations: the eSleuth AI edge.

Imagine being a lone detective working through dozens or even hundreds of cold cases, each more complex than the last. Now imagine having the equivalent of a thousand experienced detectives working alongside you. That’s the kind of transformative power eSleuth’s new platform, PFM AI (Police Future Methods), brings to law enforcement agencies.

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It tackles everything from combing through vehicle data to analyzing surveillance footage, tasks that normally take weeks or months but are now completed in seconds.

eSleuth AI Chief Strategy Officer Scot Thomasson describes the platform to Michigan News Source as putting “a thousand seasoned detectives on every case” to help law enforcement generate actionable leads faster than ever before.

Thomasson says about an investigator working on a case with new information provided by eSleuth AI, “So in today’s investigations he’s got a tremendous amount of technology that he has to try to sort through, but he doesn’t have enough time, and he may not have the training or the experience to do so efficiently or effectively .” PFM AI does it for them by providing detectives with “timely actionable leads.”

AI meets cold case: how does PFM AI work?

PFM AI, the heart of eSleuth’s offerings, is a generative AI tool that aggregates data from different sources to provide a comprehensive digital investigation platform. It’s designed not only to address ongoing investigations but also to breathe new life into cold cases.

By analyzing historical data and new digital evidence including police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, cell phone data, cell phone tower data, and a massive amount of other data, the system identifies hidden connections and patterns that might have been overlooked by human investigators. This means fewer backlogged cases and higher solve rates for law enforcement agencies across the country.

According to Thomasson, the U.S. has been experiencing a troubling drop in crime clearance rates and eSleuth AI could be the answer to that problem. National homicide clearance rates have plummeted to 52% according to 2022 statistics, and rates for aggravated and sexual assaults have seen even more dramatic declines. Michigan is no exception, with similar trends in unsolved crimes piling up across the state.

A tech-savvy crime-solver.

PFM AI isn’t just another crime-solving gadget. It’s an intuitive system designed to sift through mountains of evidence in mere seconds. Whether it’s scanning in tips from an old box of evidence, reviewing surveillance camera footage, or analyzing cell phone and vehicle data, eSleuth AI quickly organizes and prioritizes evidence. This helps investigators focus on cases that are most likely to be solved based on a “Solvability Matrix,” a tool that ranks cold cases based on their potential for resolution.

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The platform assesses which cases are worth pursuing first, flagging those that have unaddressed issues. With the Solvability Matrix, cold cases are ranked based on how likely they are to be resolved, identifying those that might just need a fresh look or a new piece of evidence to break the case wide open. For instance, “cases with unprocessed DNA evidence or overlooked fingerprints are flagged, so investigators know exactly where to start,” Thomasson explains.

A well-kept secret finally revealed.

eSleuth AI’s soft launch has largely flown under the radar, but Michigan News Source learned about it from the true crime podcast “Murder Sheet,” hosted by journalist Áine Cain and attorney Kevin Greenlee. They spoke exclusively with Thomasson who is helping to spearhead eSleuth AI’s groundbreaking advancements in crime-solving.

Thomasson’s history includes years of experience at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). He served as a special agent and retired as Chief, Firearms Operations and gained significant experience in high-profile investigations, often handling sensitive and complex cases.

Thomasson believes eSleuth AI has the potential to transform crime-solving as dramatically as DNA and fingerprinting once did. And it’s more than just hype. As more and more law enforcement agencies sign on, it will allow the platform to aggregates data from different cities, counties, and even states, drawing connections that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Breaking down borders: connecting cases across jurisdictions.

Often, one of the biggest challenges in solving crimes is connecting incidents that occur across different jurisdictions. Criminals don’t stay confined to one city or state, so why should investigations? PFM AI tackles this issue head-on by linking data from various locations. If Michigan’s state police and California’s Los Angeles Police Department both utilize the platform, cases involving similar suspects or vehicles can be connected instantly. Solving cases that once seemed impossible could become a reality.

Thomasson says, “For example, the system might link a car seen fleeing a robbery in one city to a vehicle spotted in a different jurisdiction at the scene of an unsolved homicide. This level of connectivity was unimaginable a few years ago.”

A dynamic platform that grows with new evidence.

PFM AI doesn’t just stop at identifying potential leads. As new evidence is introduced, the platform continuously updates its solvability matrix, allowing investigators to re-prioritize cases based on the latest information. Cold cases that have been sitting unsolved for years can suddenly jump to the top of the list, giving investigators fresh paths to follow.

Though the platform is initially targeting cold cases involving homicides, sexual assaults, and aggravated robberies, its capabilities are designed to expand. Missing persons cases, human trafficking investigations, and other serious crimes could all benefit from this technology as more law enforcement agencies and users join the platform.

Accessible and efficient: bringing AI to the police.

PFM AI isn’t just about making flashy promises – it’s designed to be practical and accessible. The platform integrates smoothly with police departments’ existing systems, utilizing APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to allow different software applications to communicate. This means law enforcement agencies can incorporate eSleuth AI into their crime-solving departments without overhauling their current records systems, keeping costs low and implementation seamless.

The system is also CJIS-certified (Criminal Justice Information System), meeting FBI standards for managing sensitive law enforcement data. Its user-friendly interface requires minimal training, but the company also provides in-person sessions led by nationally recognized cold case experts to help departments maximize the platform’s potential. And while PFM AI generates powerful leads, Thomasson stresses that detectives must remain hands-on with their investigations.

The future of crime-solving Is now.

As eSleuth AI’s platform rolls out nationwide, the potential to transform the way we solve crimes has never been more promising. Thomasson says about the platform, “This is what computers were made for. If we can crack even a fraction of these cold cases, it will be as revolutionary as when fingerprints and DNA first became part of crime-solving.”

With PFM AI, the days of cold cases going unsolved for decades could be numbered. Families waiting for answers could finally find closure, and law enforcement agencies across the U.S. will have a powerful new ally in the fight for justice. As the platform evolves, it’s poised to bring closure to communities and victims alike, one solved case at a time.