Evolution of Criminal Justice Technology
Criminal justice, technology has come a long way. With the fast developing technology, it is becoming easy for everything to be done using mobile gadgets such as laptops, mobile phones, and desktop computers among others. This development has not only been used for positive and constructive work, but it has also been abused and used to commit crimes. These crimes range from petty to serious cases such as drug trafficking. Some of those crimes include identity theft, hacking, cyber bullying, child pornography sabotage, fraud and terrorism among others.
With the rise in such cases, it has become necessary for the law enforcement agencies to keep up with the criminals. It has become mandatory for them to upgrade their mechanisms and ways of dealing with crimes. It has led to technological innovations which are meant to prevent, investigate and deal with crimes such as identity theft.
Computer crime investigation like any other investigation is affected by several factors. One is a fast developing and evolving technology. Another is the legal requirements that have to be met during these investigations. It is necessary to seize the computers, it is crucial to go by the set rules that guide these investigations, the rules of evidence and those that protect the privacy of the people. All this has to be adhered to for the information gathered to be admissible in court.
Development of information technology has led to massive strides in the field of policing. There has been the use of closed circuit television cameras for surveillance. It is a means of both discouraging crime and easy way of capturing acts to ease investigations. Footages from these cameras have severally been used for identification of criminals and as evidence in criminal courts. It has been easier for the law enforcement agencies and other concerned parties to produce evidence of crimes due to software that has been developed that monitors an individual’s communication and transactions, not only on the cell phone, but also on the internet and social media.
Impact on the Department
It is important for you to allocate funds to go towards the improvement of information technology. These funds will be used to the purchase of equipment that will be used to detect, prevent, and act as evidence to crimes. It will not only ease the law enforcement, but it will also reduce crime rate. It is paramount for them to get regular training through workshops and improve their information technology department by hiring experts in investigations of crimes conducted in such a manner. Information technology will ease patrols and arrests.
So far, the use of closed circuit television cameras has eased collection of evidence. So has the monitoring of conversations. This is especially where the information being passed was criminal in nature. The recording of statements by witnesses has also been useful in cases where those people are unable to appear before the court of law.
The use of information technology has been effective in improving the effectiveness of criminal justice. Information technology has not only created a means of easy communication at work and between departments, but it has also created a network and eased sharing of intelligence within and among the departments. With the current advancement in technology, it is impossible to limit where it is headed in terms of law enforcement and justice administration. It is, therefore, wise to invest in technology.
References
Gordon, G., & McBride, B. (2011). Criminal Justice Internships: Theory Into Practice. New York: Elsevier.
Manning, P. (2011). The Technology of Policing: Crime Mapping, Information Technology, and the Rationality of Crime Control. New York: NYU Press.
