Maine police department apologizes for AI-doctored evidence photo

The Westbrook Police Department in Maine issued an apology after sharing an AI-altered photo of drug evidence on social media. An officer edited the photo to include the department's patch, which unintentionally distorted the image's details. Following public backlash regarding the altered photo’s unclear features, the department confirmed the use of AI technology, specifically the chatbot ChatGPT. Initially, they denied AI involvement, but later acknowledged their mistake. The department shared a side-by-side comparison of the original and edited images, emphasizing there was no intent to misrepresent evidence.

They explained that gibberish text on drug packaging had led them to initially assume the image was legitimate. Westbrook police committed to transparency by inviting media representatives to view the actual evidence. This incident highlights the challenges law enforcement faces with AI's increasing influence on evidence management.