Solution to the negative effects of technology is not far-fetched, rather it lies within the technology itself.
Justice departments across the globe are coming up with ways of tracking criminals before they hit, or identifying them through investigation of crimes.
In the case of narcotics, the manual way of tracking down traffickers was tedious, time consuming and risky to the police officers.
Investigators would rely on tips, stand in the reported locations for hours, and use binoculars to survey the areas, but the fruits yielded would be less than a handful.
Technology has improved analysis of investigative reports, created situational awareness and enhanced officer safety. Unlike before, the narcotic users would monitor the movement of the investigative team and escape or launch a counter-attack.
Some of the ways technology is being used to combat crimes include the following:
Use of Collected Data
Data collection and rapid identification systems allow criminal investigators to connect the dots during an investigation. This data assists tracking down criminals by searching through multiple databases which contain extensive data on every individual.
Stored data such as DNA and fingerprints help law enforcement pros to identify suspects quickly. Stored and shared data in databases by the national data exchange enables crime investigators to use tech tools to match up people with criminal history.
A motorist, for instance, with no driving license, can easily be identified instantly by using an in-car computerized device.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology plays a big role in accelerating the processing of collected data. The data collected and classified makes it easier for the users to evaluate evidence and leverage the findings to speed a criminal investigation.
Systems for detecting and monitoring crime
As opposed to being reactive, law enforcers are employing the use of technological tools and systems proactively. New methods of monitoring and detecting crimes are being considered in order to solve incidents of criminal activities.
Some of these technology systems include:
Video Cameras
Surveillance cameras are increasingly being installed in specially designated areas, and are used by the police to see whatever may be happening in the moment. Some of these cameras are hidden from the eyes of suspecting criminals.
Video analysis cameras, for instance, help the investigative team to establish the “who,” “where” and “what” narrative. This technology tracks migration patterns, movement and common stoppage and hang out areas of criminals, and the area for attack.
Drones
Drones help the police to survey an area that may be prone to crime.
Gunshot technology
It enables the police to detect the area under attack, the number of attackers, and number of shots fired. This technology has helped to reduce the number of homicides and shooting incidents.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
This one is good in managing police forces, and ensuring that their areas of deployment are well covered. This system also enables police to easily locate the area under attack and locate criminals easily.
This system is more often integrated with police system, to enhance realistic data collection and reporting.
License plate scanning
This scanning technology aids in recognizing stolen vehicles in an area and checking whether the driver has a warrant for arrest.
Technology tools that target on-line crimes
As more inventions are created to solve the ever-increasing crime rate, criminals, on the other hand, are perfecting their act using even more complicated technologies. The rise in the use of anonymous web applications has made investigations into online activities even more complicated.
Faces of individuals behind some of the cybercrimes are masked with the encryption of their data. The dark web has also helped to escalate crimes with increasing use of digital currency, a majority of which are privacy coins.
Law enforcement agencies are also using Automated WEBINT analysis software to monitor online activities. This tech tool also collects and analyzes online data on most social media platforms, as well as the, deep and dark web.
Through this software, Law enforcement bodies are offered target profiling, natural language processing, social network analysis and predictive monitoring, among other Artificial Intelligence enablement.
Apart from the software tools, technology has been introduced in equipment, such as the Thermo Scientific TruNarc which uses Raman Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIS).
This small and lightweight device is an improvement, thanks to technology, from the ancient FTIS Spectrometers that were huge and cumbersome to carry. TruNarc contains both hardware and software. Below is the TrueNarc.
Use of Robots by Law Enforcers to tackle crime
Some of the first world nations are increasingly adopting the use of robots as a new way for reconnaissance in dangerous presentations such as bomb detection and disposal. The US, for instance, is currently developing security robots capable of detecting criminal occurrences.
More robots with police capabilities are used in Dubai UAE, and can even respond to questions from the public. China also has effective robot police.
In-car Computers
Hi-tech devices have also been installed in police cars to help the police on patrol to instantly upload reports to online police systems. These in-car computers have reduced the back and forth movements from the office since reports can be made on the go.
Use of social media, e-mail correspondence and cell-phone usage for evidence collection
In this age of technology, contemporary forms of communication have been overtaken by the insurgence of smartphones. People use mobile phones for communication via mail, messaging, calls and other applications that are increasingly available cheaply or even free.
Police are now working with Internet Service Providers to provide data relating to individuals suspected to be criminals. Every individual’s online activities can be tracked and monitored by police to help piece together timelines and events that connect suspects to persons of interest.
Police and other law enforcers are allowed by law to create undercover accounts to access private communication hidden from the public eye.
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