- Published: September 14, 2022
- Updated: September 14, 2022
- University / College: Rutgers University–New Brunswick
- Language: English
- Downloads: 41
Advances in information technology can be beneficial to police and other government agencies in solving crime. Such devices such as Livescan machines and CCTV cameras are crucial in tracing the origin of crime to where it occurred. Livescan involve advanced finger print scanning machine located at main police custody sites for finger print scanning. Evidence obtained from scene of crime is scanned using this machine to reveal the identity of the perpetrator. The device uses a digital capture system to scan the suspect’s fingers and palms. Once the scanning results are obtained, it is transferred over a database that identifies the details of the prints within a small period of time usually less than 10 minutes.
A database containing a soft copy of fingerprint scanning all the arrested persons in a country when merged with systems such as Livescan produce quick results to be used in the court of laws. The databases contains powerful computing infrastructure that connects all police stations in a state or country via a central office. The database is made of up of advanced database management tools to make it redundant and always operational.
Surveillance devices such as CCTV cameras installed at strategic locations all over the country are fundamental in managing and solving crime. The cameras are located at strategic positions that records happenings on the intended location. They are managed from a central database. Recorded crime activities are analyzed and the visual information of those concerned retrieved. Such information is merged with identities databases such as registration of persons departments to obtain names and other particulars.
Forensic investigation is a branch of criminal investigation that concerns with computer and cyber crimes. Through forensic investigation, digital crimes such as banking fraud can be unearthed and solved. Other avenues in which the police can utilize technology in solving crime include DNA analysis of samples collected from crime and property scenes. These may include simple artifacts such as cigarette filters and soda cans. Analysis of the DNA samples confirms the identity of the people at the crime scene which essentially becomes the first suspects.
References
Siegel, L. J. (2010). Essentials of Criminal Justice. Cengage Learning.
Snow, R. L. (2007). Technology and Law Enforcement: From Gumshoe to Gamma Rays. Greenwood Publishing Group.