The "human flesh search engine" is an Internet phenomenon in China. Armed with mobile phones and computers, Net users from across the country can track down the personal information of any person, out of pure curiosity or in the name of justice.

The term was first coined in 2006 when many in China began turning to the Internet for entertainment, producing an explosion of online forums.

At 632 million users, China has the world's largest Internet population, according to the China Internet Network Information Center in July.

The Internet has also become a primary source of information. Half of China's Internet users say it is their most trusted source of information, followed by TV at 30 percent and newspapers at 15 percent, according to researches cited by the BBC.

"Flesh searches" have also become a form of cyber-bullying, as hundreds of thousands of anonymous Internet users flock to uncover the identity and even personal details of a person suspected of a hit-and-run or animal abuse.

A recent trial dubbed the "first flesh search case in Guangdong" by media involved a young girl surnamed Xu who was driven to suicide after she was publicly shamed in a human flesh search.

A shop owner named Cai Xiaoqing uploaded Xu's picture on Sina Weibo and accused her of shoplifting an article of clothing. Within a half hour of the post, Xu's name, school and home address appeared online.

Xu was overwhelmed by the criticisms and insults from both anonymous netizens and her schoolmates. She later jumped into a river, committing suicide. On September 5, Cai was sentenced to one year in prison for libel and defamation of character.

'Ambassadors of justice'

Recently, a local police bureau began using flesh searches as an investigation tool.

The Sanmenxia public security bureau in Henan Province opened a public account on WeChat, a popular online social platform in China, which encourages the public to aid police in their investigations with independent flesh searches, reported The Paper.

The officers provided screenshots and photos of 41 suspects wanted since January, 21 of which were apprehended with the help of civilian flesh searches as of September 15.

"No matter where you are or what your occupation is, you can catch a thief online with the images we provide," reads the WeChat account.

"If you recognize these suspects or think they resemble someone you know, contact us by phone or on WeChat and become an 'ambassador of justice'," it says, followed by a hotline number.

A 500 yuan ($81) reward is available to any person providing information that leads to an arrest, says the account.

"The impact is clear. We have arrested 21 suspects with the information provided by residents and Net users. Not only does this platform help save on manpower, it also increases our effectiveness during investigations," boasted Zhao Pengzheng, head of the Sanmenxia public security bureau monitoring center.

Over the past few months, the WeChat account has accumulated over 2,200 followers who have provided around 1,800 tips.

Information spreads and gathers swiftly among Internet vigilantes. In one case in January, hours after the police uploaded a surveillance video screenshot of a suspect believed to have stolen a box of beverages from a hospital room, a doctor at the hospital and account follower recognized the suspect and called the police.

The suspect was arrested and found to have previously stolen from the hospital.

Police in the city of Nanjing and Fengxian county of Jiangsu Province have also launched similar platforms to help gather tips about criminals on the lam, resulting in the identification of two suspects in Nanjing within two weeks.

Split opinions

While some applaud the new service, others argue it is an invasion of personal privacy.

"Is this just another form of flesh searching?" many netizens asked. "Doesn't this violate individual image rights?"

"Every picture we release has been background checked. Some people in the pictures have been identified by victims, while others are screengrabs from surveillance video as the crime is being committed," Zhao explained.

Zhao said the bureau has set up stringent rules to ensure the accuracy of the information. All tipsters must provide their real names. Anyone who provides false information will be punished according to China's Criminal Law.

"Police should carefully check the accuracy of the gathered information and prevent any distortion of facts," said Li Ruili, a Henan-based lawyer.

"If the information provided is real, and that the suspect did commit a crime, then the [circulation of his portrait] does not constitute a violation of image rights," Li noted.

But Li warned that civilians should not use the information or images for purposes other than the investigation.

"If the suspect is underage, the police should place extra effort in protecting his or her personal rights and safety," she added.