Technologies Used by Law Enforcement - Research Paper Example

? Technologies used by Law Enforcement 03-14-0212 Technologies used by Law Enforcement During the last decade, computer, telecommunications and information technologies have grown at an amazingly fast rate. Augmented power of computing, progress in transmission of data and smart and user-friendly graphic interfaces give law enforcement agencies with unparalleled capability to gather, store, evaluate and share information with internal and external stakeholders in government. Eventually, information technology presents a device to assist local law enforcement fulfill its wide and increasingly complicated mission. (Reichert, 2001) But whether or not this potential is fully recognized, and at what speed, is not an inevitable conclusion. Groundwork on this subject propose what if its incorporation is not correctly supervised, some features of information technology may meet with confrontation among officers and other staff, mainly when such technology is seen as unjustly invasive or technically unwieldy. Furthermore, questions about security cost, and privacy need to be addressed as well. (Reichert, 2001) Due to the speed and velocity of advances in this field of information technology in current years, sovereign studies on the collision of information technology on policing are also of our concern. It seems predominantly significant, in this regard, to evaluate the experiences of some of the founders of information technology in the field of policing. (Reichert, 2001) Description of some technologies used by law enforcement agencies is given below: 1. Crime mapping During the last decade, computer crime mapping has become an important tool for law enforcement firms. Innovations in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and computer technology have corresponded with practical and theoretical advancements in crime investigation, analysis and prevention. Mapping software, desktop computers, and GIS now present mapping and analysis of data capacities beyond what was probable with mainframe desktop computers as lately as the early 90s. Crime mapping is an affordable and inexpensive technology for tiny and even controlled budget police sections. The advancements needed by community police departments want that these sections integrate a spatial, geographic, or local emphasis, and focus on the significance of incorporating crime mapping techniques into departmental analysis, management, and practices of enforcement. (Reichert, 2001) 2. Integration of Information Technology Information technology integration is as famous as crime mapping. Innovations in information technology assure privacy and information will be shared among all the key elements of the system of criminal justice, taking into account prosecutors, law enforcement, public and private defenders, corrections, federal courts, probation, parole, appellate courts, and state trial. A fully incorporated information system, though, needs cautious planning and organization among the agencies to make sure that technological faults do not take place; as Chief Justice Ronald M. George, California Supreme Court, puts it “Towel of Babel”. (Reichert, 2001) 3. Database for Fingerprints According to recent news, in Columbus, Ohio, Columbus Police can receive instant information about a suspect’s identity without having to go back to files and papers. With just a fast imprint of an individual’s two fingers on handheld equipment, now police can get access to all personal databases via the fingerprint database system. Police is quite contended with this new technology as it saves up time and energy to travel to the downtown booking station. Naturally, it is used to check the right identity of a person who does not a proper ID or have a fake one and uses a fake name. Columbia Police Department alone comprises of 250,000 entries. Any fingerprint which matches an identity gives person’s name, gender, date of birth and race. The cost of these devices have dropped drastically from $100 to $5 and they take good advantage of swiftly growing biometrics industry which permits for fingerprint recognition on everything from cell phones to laptop computers. (Police and Law Enforcement News, 2006). 4. Database for Mugshots The first national database of mugshots was developed in 2008 in Lancashire, Merseyside and West Yorkshire so that police can utilize face recognition system to match CCTV pictures with details of suspects. Initially, 750,000 facial images were generated in the first 18 months of this system’s inauguration. The chief executive of NPIA (National Police Improvement Agency) said that this development of national facial images database is only one element of the technological innovations in beat policing. (Travis,2008). 5. Crime Scene Investigation As we live in a three dimensional world, we want a three dimensional image of the crime scenes as well. Through an amalgamation of computer technology and laser, HDS (High-definition surveying) makes a virtual crime scene that permits investigators to plan every tiny piece of evidence. HDS reproduces a laser light off of objects of the crime scene and then back to the digital sensor, making a three dimensional spatial that collaborates and calculate and store using the algebraic equations, declared Tony Grissim, who is the law enforcement and homeland security association for Leica Geosystems High-definition surveying in San Ramon, California. He also added, “An HDS equipment throws light in a 360 degree horizontal perimeter. It measures millions of points, making a ‘point cloud’.” (Foster, 2005) 6. DNA Index System The DNA Index Systems is having a huge influence on the assessment of blood and other identification of tissues. This Forensic Biology section has replaced the senile standard serological testing labs. The sensitivity of this novel thrilling technology will turn the attention and focus more to the crime scene physical proofs collected and their revival methods and measures. This is where the crime scene investigators and confirmation recovery technicians will have to be prepared to use their basic knowledge and skills to promise that they do everything probable to be a successful connection in the process of investigation. Results from this new technology will be made available in only a few days. It can connect serial cases and results can be matched to national DNA database of samples. The biological evidence that can be used for testing includes tissue, semen, blood, teeth, nails, saliva and bones. References Reichert, Kent (2001). Promising Approaches to Addressing Crime: Use of Information Technology by Law Enforcement. Jerry Lee Centre of Criminology: Forum on Crime and Justice. University of Pennsylvania Press. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/jerrylee/programs/fjc/paper_dec01.pdf Police and Law Enforcement News (December 12, 2006). Law Enforcement Technology: Instant ID in the Field. NJLawman News. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.njlawman.com/Technology/InstantID.htm Travis, Alan (2008). Police trying out national database with 750,000 mugshots, MPs told : Offenders' faces tracked through CCTV images, Scheme part of 'hi-tech revolution on the beat. theguardian [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/mar/19/ukcrime.humanrights Foster, Raymond E (March 2, 2005). Crime Scene Investigation. Government Technology-Solutions For State and local Government. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.govtech.com/public-safety/Crime-Scene-Investigation.html Byrd, Mike (1999). DNA, the Next Generation Technology is Here! Crime Scene Investigator Network. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/dna.html Read More