It seems like there is an app for everything, and soon, there may be a new app that can help doctors identify bruises on victims of domestic violence. Researchers at George Mason University have worked for years to improve methods of identifying bruises on darker skin tones. A recent donation has allowed them to expand their research and implement an artificial intelligence tool, aiming to release their trained AI model to assist in bruise detection. 

While there may be a concern that doctors and law enforcement cannot see bruises as easily on darker skin tones, this new technology addresses the issue in a legally complex way. It isn't unbelievable to think that accusations of domestic violence may soon stem from the results of a phone application. If you are being charged with domestic violence, the Lento Law Firm can help. Call our Criminal Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us through our website. 

How This New Artificial Intelligence Works 

Compared to a domestic violence victim with a darker skin tone, doctors can identify and document bruises on fair-skinned people more easily. Without this documentation, a domestic violence victim may have worse health and legal outcomes, as pictures and medical reports are crucial pieces of evidence in domestic violence cases. This is the issue that researchers hope to address by developing new techniques and training an AI tool to learn from their results. 

First, researchers take pictures of bruises using different wavelengths of light that show the injuries clearly, even if their color is nearly identical to the skin. They then feed those pictures into an AI tool that studies them and stores information. Once this process is complete, they will integrate this AI into a smartphone app that doctors can use to take pictures of bruises and learn more about them. Researchers hope their app can eventually identify the cause of a bruise and even its date of occurrence, all from a simple photo.  

Risks of Domestic Violence Accusations 

The goals of the George Mason University researchers are noble, but there are serious concerns about how the use of their app can lead to domestic violence charges.  

If a highly funded piece of technology says that a bruise was formed by blunt force precisely seven days ago, will police consider this enough evidence to begin an investigation? While the AI tool might look at a picture and find similarities with other confirmed bruise photos, police shouldn't charge someone unless they have other evidence that ties them to a crime. Whether or not a bruise appeared on a Monday or a Wednesday may have a massive effect on your case, tying into your alibi and defense. 

Domestic violence charges and convictions are too devastating to the lives of the accused to leave in the hands of a smartphone app. Police should not rely on this technology until other parties thoroughly test it and can reliability replicate its findings. 

The Lento Law Firm Can Help Defend You Against Domestic Violence Charges 

We don't know how accurate this AI technology will be when researchers release it to the public. But in the meantime, you still need experienced legal representation if you are facing accusations of domestic violence. Contact the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or complete our online form.