In a recent specialized training program, law enforcement successfully identified at least 24 individuals suspected of sharing child sexual abuse material online, alongside locating 10 victims.
This crucial victim identification task force training took place at the Kerala Police Academy in Thrissur, running from September 29 to October 9. Forty officers from 18 different states and various investigative agencies participated, with the initiative serving as a precursor to the c0c0n 2025 cybersecurity conference, which wrapped up in Kochi on October 11.
An officer involved in the program revealed that participants actively engaged with 55 live cases, leading to the identification of 24 suspects and 10 victims across various incidents. The identification process primarily utilized metadata extracted from background images, objects, and voices present in the examined digital content. This included visuals where faces were both visible and obscured, with participants ranging from civil police officers to deputy superintendents.
The individuals identified as suspects and victims are located in various parts of the country. Comprehensive reports detailing these findings are being prepared and will be forwarded to the respective police units for immediate and appropriate action.
The core aim of this training was to empower police forces to effectively combat the alarming rise in cases involving the creation and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials. The officer explained, “Often, those who circulate such content are caught, but the actual predators often remain hidden. This training was designed specifically to close that critical gap.”
The curriculum encompassed both technical and practical methodologies, as well as crucial psychological support for investigators. This training equips officers to navigate the emotional and mental challenges inherent in handling such sensitive and disturbing crimes. Experts from the State police, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Childlight Global Child Safety Institute from the UK jointly conducted the sessions.
Deborah Fry, Global Director of Data and Professor of International Child Protection Research at Childlight, highlighted the collaborative spirit: “Participants brought forth case data from their own states where victim identification had been challenging. Their strong desire to locate these children fueled a remarkable information exchange across state lines. This collective effort ultimately resulted in the identification of perpetrators and the safeguarding of children in numerous cases.”