A Detroit woman has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the incorrect application of facial recognition technology led to her wrongful arrest. LaDonna Crutchfield, 37, was taken into custody at her home on Jan. 23, 2024, accused of being a suspect in an attempted murder. Despite evidence showing she did not match the physical description of the suspect, she was arrested based on an unidentified facial recognition database match.
Although Detroit police admit that Crutchfield was not the intended suspect, they deny using facial recognition technology in this case. Instead, investigators connected her to the crime based on a partial license plate linked to an address where one of her relatives once lived. This led to a misunderstanding that resulted in Crutchfield’s arrest.
During her detention, a detective pressured Crutchfield to admit her resemblance to the suspected shooter, a claim she vehemently denied. Only after providing fingerprints and a DNA sample, as well as obtaining a letter from the detective confirming her innocence, was Crutchfield able to clear her name.
This incident highlights the dangers of relying on facial recognition technology, especially when it comes to communities of color. Past cases, including the wrongful arrest of a pregnant woman in a carjacking incident, demonstrate the technology’s potential for misidentification and unjust outcomes.
Please provide a specific monetary amount for the damages she is seeking. The mother from Detroit expressed that she will always carry the emotional burden of being handcuffed and publicly escorted away. The lawsuit states that the police were aware or should have been aware that their actions would result in significant emotional distress for Crutchfield, particularly considering the arrest’s public nature, her children’s and neighbors’ presence.
