AI in Investigations: Using Copilot Responsibly — Opportunity, Obligation and Oversight

Can investigators use AI tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot? Yes — provided they stay within their authority's approved environment, verify every output against source material and document where and how AI was used. From Copilot in your inbox to AI-assisted drafting of investigation reports, artificial intelligence is already embedded in investigation work. The duty now is to use it responsibly and to understand who is watching.

What Copilot can genuinely do for investigators

Microsoft 365 Copilot is integrated directly into Word, Outlook, Teams and OneNote, and is now accessible across many public and local authorities. Used well, it opens real opportunities:

•       Summarising lengthy statements and interview transcripts

•       Producing structured first drafts of investigation reports and referral letters

•       Creating case file indexes and generating routine correspondence

•       Producing meeting action logs from Teams recordings

•       In Excel, identifying patterns and anomalies in financial data — useful in trading standards and fraud-related investigations

The three rules that govern every investigator's use of AI

1. You are the author — Copilot is the drafter

Every AI-assisted document must be reviewed and approved by the named investigator. AI can hallucinate, producing plausible but factually incorrect content. Verify every fact, date and reference against source material before it goes anywhere near a formal document.

2. Stay within your approved environment

Never paste case material, witness details or suspect information into public-facing AI tools such as free ChatGPT or Gemini. Only use Copilot within your authority's configured Microsoft 365 tenancy. Anything else could be a data protection breach.

3. Document your use of AI

Keep a clear record of where and how AI tools were used in preparing any case material. This is not optional — it is a professional and, in some contexts, a legal requirement. It matters particularly where covert powers are involved (see our companion article on declaring AI use in RIPA applications).

Action points for your team

•       Check whether your authority has a policy on AI use in investigations

•       Ensure any use of Copilot or equivalent in RIPA-related work is documented and declared in the application

•       Do not use public AI tools for case material — ever

•       Verify all AI-generated content before use in formal documents

Training that covers this

The responsible use of AI in investigations features across BDG's investigation training programmes, tailored to local authority, public sector and law enforcement teams. For an in-house session on AI governance in your investigative work, email info@bdgtrainingconsultancy.co.uk.

This article is adapted from the BDG Investigator Bulletin, Edition 1 (April 2026). Download the full edition free — and subscribe to receive each monthly edition by email.

This article is provided for professional development purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

By the BDG Training Team · April 2026