ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND FACIAL RECOGNITION IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: BETWEEN INVESTIGATIVE EFFICIENCY AND THE PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

Abstract

The increasing use of digital technologies, especially artificial intelligence and facial recognition, has significantly transformed criminal investigation in Brazil, expanding data analysis capabilities and the efficiency of investigative procedures. This study aimed to analyze the impacts of these technologies on criminal investigation, considering the balance between investigative efficiency and the protection of fundamental rights. This is a bibliographic and documentary research, with a qualitative approach and inductive method, based on the analysis of scientific articles, legislation, and institutional documents published between 2020 and 2026. The results show that these technologies contribute to the speed and accuracy in identifying suspects, but also present significant risks, such as privacy violations, algorithmic discrimination, and weakening of due process. Furthermore, gaps in the Brazilian legal system regarding the specific regulation of these tools were observed, which could compromise legal certainty and the transparency of investigations. It is concluded that, although the technologies analyzed represent important advances for criminal prosecution, their use must be guided by constitutional principles, requiring control mechanisms, adequate regulation, and guarantees of fundamental rights, in order to ensure a balance between technological innovation and criminal justice.