Final answer:
Law enforcement may use anonymous social media accounts, often termed as undercover accounts, as part of their criminal investigations to conduct surveillance and gather evidence. These accounts help monitor criminal activities and are a response to the evolving use of social media by those with criminal intent, but they also raise concerns over privacy and freedom of speech.
Step-by-step explanation:
When law enforcement creates an account on social media platforms such as Face-book and Twi-tter to anonymously search for people, these social media accounts are often referred to as undercover accounts or fake profiles. These accounts are a tool in criminal investigations and can be used to gather intelligence, monitor suspect activities, and collect evidence without revealing the identity of the investigators. They play a key role in modern policing strategies by enabling officers to keep pace with the ways criminals exploit social media platforms for illegal activities.