Erkennungsdienstliche Behandlung 2.0?

Today, every internet user has a multitude of different user accounts, whether in social networks, e-commerce, payment services, or simply for email. These digital identities are necessary for individuals to be identifiable and interact in the virtual world. However, they are increasingly misused for criminal purposes, ranging from insults to cybercrime. Consequently, the police are compelled to address digital identities to fulfill their responsibilities.

This publication presents the current handling of digital identities in the police context and discusses implications for the future. Beginning with the fundamentals of digitalization, the author examines the concept of digital identity and its significance in contemporary life. This is followed by an in-depth analysis of the relevance of digital identity to crime. The police have approached this issue pragmatically, including the OSINT research also discussed in the paper. However, the publication questions whether this adequately addresses the relevance for today's police work.

To this end, it uncovers the existing limited auxiliary construct for storing digital identity data and addresses the functional, organizational, and legal challenges that arise. The publication highlights existing grievances and concludes that future police work must be capable of recording and processing digital identities within its own systems. ED handling 2.0 is proposed as a foundational solution. The work outlines the necessary framework conditions, particularly the needs and requirements of practice, and explores possible alternatives. The master's thesis on which this book is based was awarded the "Police Work of the Future Prize" and the "Stüllenberg Foundation Prize" in 2021.