The Impact of Technology on Criminal Justice - Essay Example

The Impact of Technology on Criminal Justice     Introduction Evidently through research, it is understandable that information technologies and internet-based information systems have had various impacts on criminal justice. Reflecting on a literal perspective, a justice system consists of different phases such as trial, arrest, punishment, prosecution, and sentencing among others. The rapid growth of technology has resulted to developments in various sectors. For instance, information technology has been used towards improving the effectiveness and efficiency of investigation, managerial operations, decision making, and workgroup collaboration. Reflecting on the above understanding, this paper critically examines the impact of technology on criminal justice from a broad point of view. Research records that technological advancements have been developing fast-paced and unabated and more so within all realms of life from physical to biological. This encompasses advances in computing, robotics, artificial intelligence, genetics, neuroscience, biotechnology with these just but a few. Despite the fact that information technology has resulted to developments in various sectors, it has also some limitations. However, in this section we will examine how technology has had impact on criminal justice from a broad point of view. Technology has undoubtedly shifted the paradigms of crime with both police and criminals evolving like mutants (Cole, 2007, p. 26). With either side seeking to keep at pace with technology, there unravels a race but with which the police are expected to always maintain an upper-hand.the reason for this is because the police are mandated to protect the innocent public and with the support from respective governments, they are under constant pressure to subdue criminals (Hall, 2008, p. 39). Occasionally criminals get the upper-hand and commit severe crimes then manage to slip through from police who normally would be hot on their heels. Ideal embodiments for such incidents include the infamous Mumbai terrorist attack in India where many dozens were killed in a hostage siege in a five-star hotel (Schaefer, 2012). Other than possessing lethal weaponry, they used smart phones, satellite imagery and night vision goggles to locate their victims (Mark Goodman). The terrorists also had an operations center across the border in Pakistan that they used to monitor global news and social media in real time, and leveraging public photos, videos to kill more people. FBI, last year, seized a remotely-controlled robotic aircraft riddled with explosives bound for US Pentagon and Capitol Building and arrested the man behind the act (Samaha, 2005). Another battle frontier on crime and which is commonly at play today is cybercrime that is attributed to the exponential increase in internet users. Individuals are increasingly using unsolicited email, spam to distribute worms, viruses, spyware and Trojan horse software on computers. They are doing this to illicitly access and retrieve personal data from people’s personal business devices. Some of the terminologies describing the cyber crimes by hackers include spoofing, spying, phishing and denial-of-service attacks. Hackers use botnets to overload computer networks or servers with enormous amount of data. The aim of such activities is to disrupt or interrupt service to users. Spyware and phishing software wittingly solicit for personal data from unsuspecting victims in which they confide their financial information such as credit card account numbers (Cole, 2007, p. 49). An understated key concern into the future is advances in life science where it is possible to access genomic databases on living organisms, design DNA on a computer and assemble one in a bio-printer (Mark Goodman). This would add an unprecedented frontier of crime whereby medical criminals would create lethal viruses and use them as bio-weapons. The police too are fighting back with the same fire. They are using the same technological advancements to combat the criminals. Police are keeping and incessantly updating criminal records and identification systems so they can track high-risk individuals and keep them from obtaining weapons or positions of trust. Advances in protective armor such bullet proof vests and target-precise weapons cut down on the police casualties in shoot-outs with armed criminals. Crime mapping has also assisted law enforcers identify hotspots and allowing information sharing across all justice systems (Hall, 2008, p. 51). Geographic information system map where crimes occur superimposing the data on visual displays of geographical data such as schools, hospitals and parks so as to analyze the causes of these crimes and thereafter develop responses (National Institute of Justice). The courts too are not lagging behind in ensuring criminal justice. New technologies have been devised to strengthen evidence against the accused. These technologies help cast-out all possible doubts that the accused committed a crime and justifying his sentencing. DNA technology plays a critical role in corroborating evidence against a suspected murderer or serial killer. Microscopic specks of blood left by a criminal at the crime scene can be picked, isolated and amplified for DNA sequencing procedure in a laboratory. If the DNA sequencing output matches the genetic make-up of the criminal, then there is 99.9% certainty that the accused is guilty and the evidence is considered admissible (Samaha, 2005, p. 68). Forensic science that deals with such crimes is now being taught in colleges and universities so as to create more professionals in the field. Biometrics science, best known for fingerprint identification and signature recognition against forgeries collaborates with forensics. Using forensics, courts have been able to expedite judgments beyond reasonable doubts and counter rebuttals hence putting criminals behind bars. Some of the biggest and well renowned cases include those in the United States. Dr. Conrade Murray, Michael Jacksons (a prominent singer and artist) physician was accused of administering an overdose of propofol to the pop singer who later died as a consequence. Forensic pathologists discovered high amount of the drug in Michael’s blood than normal and medical documentation on his computer corroborated this. He was convicted (John Dayton). Since it would be widely insufficient to heavily rely on law enforcers to mitigate crime, criminal justices systems are employing ways to enhance community policing through the sharing of information on crimes through social networks. Persons who suspect criminal activity within their adjacent can post the situation on police social accounts or share valuable information about a suspect for them to act on (Schaefer, 2012, p. 78). Police too are able to mass broadcast to their citizenry for real-time updates (Dan Alexander). Today, correction facilities are also tech-savvy. Alternative to incarceration of first time or non-violent offenders, paroles and probations can be more efficient and effective correction practice compared to jails and prisons. These technologies focus on safety within correction agencies, efficacy of offender’s supervision. For international crimes that cross borders, collaboration between intergovernmental law enforcers is underscored. Interpol (international Criminal Police Organizations) established in 1923, deals with such crimes in within its 190 countries membership. The agency’s main assignment is to liaise between law enforcement agencies of member countries, providing communications and database assistance. They rely on the vast networks of internet around the globe to analyze and relay information on crime trends around the world or follow up on a criminal who travels across borders. Major crimes that Interpol primarily focuses on are money laundering, weapons and human trafficking, computer crime, intellectual property crime and corruption (Smith & Cole, 2006). In cases where police are to be inevitably drawn into a car chase with criminals, technology has been devised to ensure the pursuit is does not endanger life and destroy property and also catch criminals before they can slip away (Schaefer, 2012). Tire- deflator devices, electronic discharge devices and direct energy devices for stalling cars are now being employed in pursuit management. The most efficient is the tagging of a car by shooting at it with a miniature GPS system so it can be tracked until it’s cornered. This avoids the dangerous fast-speed chases that could harm bystanders and officers alike. Aviation technology has its place in curbing crime. Though its initial capital may be expensive due to acquisition of planes and helicopters, it eventually has the advantage of saving time and resources. It is especially useful in searching for missing persons or surveying a hostage scene. Also with its good vantage point from above it could monitor the events of a high speed police chase while communicating simultaneously to the officers on the ground. With the rapid proliferation of technology there is definitely bound to be an arms race between those who use it for benefit and those with sinister intentions. Academic discipline is part and parcel of the criminal justice system. Higher education institutions with support from the system, are offering course such as policing and police science for the study of crimes on a social phenomenon, criminal behavior and other aspects of crime (Smith & Cole, 2006, p. 79). It involves researching in new ways to approach and control crime and capturing on new technological inventions to as maintain the lead against criminals. They also embark on training of professional qualifications for new hire. For criminal justice system to maintain this lead, they have collaborators called “Technology Working Groups” whose fields include aviation, biometrics, body armor, computer and DNA forensics, sensors and surveillance, community correction among many others. Technology working groups ensure that they arduously keep the criminal justice system at pace with new technology that fits technological requirements and operational needs in their field and ensure they meet high standards for safety and performance and also evaluate success of programs and projects (Samaha, 2005, p. 98). As priorities change within the fields of criminal justice the practitioners also venture into new technological portfolios. TWG member are routinely testing and evaluating resulting solutions and also determine whether a technology is available at the market place or from the scientific community so as to leverage investments, avoid duplicating efforts and offer devotion to areas that highest potential payoffs for the criminal justice. With collaboration, coordination and financial support from governments, other than occasional jabs from unrelenting criminals, the criminal justice should be able to have criminality at its arms length (Smith & Cole, 2006). Conclusion Building on the above discussion, it is worth noting that crime is something serious and should be fought by all means possible. The implementation of technology has formed a benchmark from where various models have been employed to fight crime, whilst minimizing the common challenges faced in the field. Bibliography Cole, G. (2007) Criminal Justice in America, (5th Edition). California, Wadsworth Publishing. Hall, D. (2008) Criminal Law and Procedure. New York: Pearson Books. Samaha, J. (2005) Criminal Justice. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Smith, C. & Cole, G. (2006) The American System of Criminal Justice. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Schaefer, T. R. (2012) Sociology: A brief Introduction. New York. McGraw-Hill Humanities Read More