Chpt 5 CJS 27-33

Technology in Law Enforcement

• Importance: Budget constraints push police to utilize technology for increased efficiency and productivity.

• Growth: In 1964, only St. Louis had a police computer system; by 1968, 10 states and 50 cities adopted criminal justice information systems.

• Categories: Technology in law enforcement is divided into hard technology (tangible equipment and materials) and soft technology (software and information systems).

Identifying Criminals

• Computer Software: Enhanced capabilities for identifying and convicting criminals.

• Information Sharing: Linking neighboring agencies for sharing suspects, cases, and warrants.

• National Crime Information Center (NCIC): Established in 1967 for rapid data retrieval of wanted persons across the U.S.

• Computerized Imaging Systems: Used to replace traditional mug shot books and assist witnesses in creating composite images of suspects.

• Data Mining: Analyzes crime patterns to identify potential suspects based on behavioral patterns.

Locating Criminals

• Police Limitations: Few officers relative to citizens hinder effective monitoring.

• Technological Solutions:

  • Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR): Capture license plates at high speed and are pivotal for locating criminals.

  • Thermal Imagers: Detect temperature variations for tracking suspects and identifying illicit operations (e.g., marijuana farms).

  • Enclosed Space Detection System (ESDS): Detect motion from hidden individuals in vehicles through shock waves from a heartbeat.

  • Through-wall Radar: Allows assessment of occupancy in a structure before entering.

Advanced Technologies

• Automated License Plate Recognition: Estimates that one in six police departments utilizes ALPR systems, improving efficiency in identifying vehicles of interest.

• Cost vs. Benefit: ($10,000-$22,000 per patrol car), ALPR improves workflow but raises privacy concerns regarding data retention and misuse.

Crime Scene Investigation

• High-Definition Surveying (HDS): Transforms crime scene evaluation from 2D to 3D, preventing evidence contamination, and allowing virtual recreation of the crime scene for investigatory clarity.

• Crime Mapping: Identifies spatial trends and hotspots for crime, allowing police to allocate resources effectively based on data.

Alternative Mapping Initiatives

• Washington Mapping System: Maps critical infrastructure for emergency response to aid in handling terrorist or emergency situations.

• West Virginia's Emergency 911 System: Identifies location of callers unable to communicate for improved response times.

Biometrics in Law Enforcement

• Definition: Automated recognition techniques based on physiological or behavioral traits.

• Applications: Widely used for identifying individuals via fingerprints, facial recognition, retina scans, and voice identification, enhancing security measures beyond traditional methods.

• Process: Involves capturing biometric data, creating a unique template, and verifying identity through the database.