Digital technology reshapes detectives’ work, Austrian association says

Data protection rules and new technology are among the main challenges facing detectives, Andreas Schweitzer, president of the Austrian Detective Association, told ORF as the association’s general conference ended on Saturday in Rust.

Artificial intelligence raises questions about what investigators are allowed to do, Schweitzer said. “It is no longer the case that we stand behind a tree in a trench coat, hat and glasses to see whether the person disrupting a marriage comes out of the house. A lot of investigations now also take place online,” he said.

Schweitzer, who is from Burgenland, was involved as a lawyer and detective in the murder case of Jennifer Scharinger. The crime was solved only after eight years. He said ongoing training was particularly important for the profession.

Cybercrime is also part of detective Alexander Datzer’s work. One of about 300 detectives in Austria, he helped uncover a case of love scamming. Datzer, who passed the state qualification exam for professional detectives, said clients often contact an agency when they are already in a crisis, such as an uncertain situation in a marriage or a dispute between an employer and an employee.

Despite advances in technology, detectives still need to observe people in person to gather evidence of suspected sick-leave abuse or adultery. They can use different tools, including camera equipment and surveillance materials, but the investigator’s observations and written report remain decisive, Datzer said.

Detectives must work within the law, he said, while still having enough options to secure evidence. Reputable detectives have credentials confirming they have passed a security check, have the required training and have no criminal convictions. The most common assignments remain cases involving adultery and employment-related matters.