Publication
Bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement in cybercrime handling: Insights from Dutch police practice
In this article, the authors examine the handling of cybercrime cases by law enforcement officers, focusing on bottlenecks and potential improvements noted by experts in the field.
- Author
- Rutger Leukfeldt, M. Van Leuken, T. Van Ruitenburg, J. Schiks and S. Ruiter
- Date
- 09 March 2025
- Links
- Read the full article here
The authors examine the bottlenecks within the Dutch criminal justice system’s approach to cybercrime, comparing contemporary challenges with those identified over a decade ago. The study underscores the ongoing struggle to adapt law enforcement practices to the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, emphasising the necessity for comprehensive reform to optimise response strategies.
The research suggests that the processing of cybercrime cases is impeded by intake officers’ lack of specialised expertise, resulting in low-quality reports that obstruct effective screening and investigation. Furthermore, victims often possess a limited understanding of cyber incidents, which results in these reporting issues. Case screeners encounter difficulties in assessing digital evidence and identifying suspects due to the anonymity afforded by the internet.
Finally, the authors highlight systemic obstacles within cybercrime investigation, including resource constraints, competing law enforcement priorities, and jurisdictional ambiguities. Although cybercrime has been formally prioritised, offline offences frequently take precedence in practice.