TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taichung City Police Department gave a progress report Tuesday on its AI-enabled anti-fraud measures and other crime-fighting technology at a city council meeting, according to a Taichung City Government press release.
Taichung City Police Commissioner Wu Ching-tien (吳敬田) said the force is using tools including the region's only internationally certified forensic laboratory, a proprietary AI-driven fingerprint recognition system, a new cloud-based identification database, and its Hawkeye system. Deputy Mayor Huang Kuo-jung (黃國榮) commended the department for its use of forensic technology and drones in active enforcement and encouraged other departments to follow its example.
Wu said the forensic laboratory conducts DNA and air gun testing and has processed 1,637 DNA cases since 2017. He added that the laboratory's certification renewal in June ensures its techniques remain up to date and credible.
Wu said officers developed an in-house, AI-backed fingerprint database that reduced average processing time from 124 days to 20 days. The average hit rate reached 68% from 2024 through June 2026, he added.
Wu said the department's Anti-Fraud Team Taichung 3.0 uses cash-flow analysis and digital tracking in coordination with banks, land offices, and prosecutors to block NT$7 billion (US$224 million) in potential losses. The department also uses a multi-pronged approach that includes flagging and removing scam accounts and reporting suspicious phone numbers, he said.
The department also uses its own AI-driven cloud identification system to sift through large volumes of visual material from online scams by comparing photos, text, and backgrounds. Wu said the Hawkeye system combines security camera feeds with license plate recognition to speed up major criminal investigations.
The department said it has introduced portable Raman spectrometers for officers to identify suspected emerging drugs. The devices use lasers at specific wavelengths to identify substances such as drugs, gunpowder residue, and bodily fluids.
The department's drone squad has expanded to 53 operators with 10 drones and has flown 195 missions since it was established in May 2021. The drones transmit live video to the command center to support timely decision-making.
Huang also highlighted the drones' use in disaster response and criminal investigations, as well as their ability to provide broad aerial coverage at major events. He said the city will continue to support the department through funding and equipment purchases.
(Taichung City Police Department photo)
