Impacts of Computer Technology on Law Enforcement

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Impacts of Computer Technology on Law Enforcement

Computers have had large impacts, in both negative and positive ways, on law enforcement related professions.With the introduction of the laptop, many vehicles were equipped to carry them in the dash.With these in place, officers can run warrant checks or find other necessary information about you and the vehicle when they pull you over and perform a search.But those same laptops, not the ones used in the cars, and other PCs have also led to a new form of crime that has been rather difficult for police agencies to investigate—cyber crime. So as in many areas, the computer has been a great work tool, but at the same time hinders some of the activities of the police.

The use of computers in law enforcement has, in many cases, been a great idea.Officers can use the computer to store information, analyze particular objects found at crime scenes, and help in collecting information about criminals as well as victims.Some departments have begun to invest in automated fingerprint identification systems and a national program of mug shots for wanted fugitives.A department can also use computer related technology to set up surveillance of telephones, cars, street intersections, and other areas of interest around their jurisdiction (Osterburg and Ward 611-620).

Investigators can also use the computer to their advantage.There are programs out now that helps sketch artists make composites of a criminal’s face.Some of these programs contain many thousands of different styles of noses, foreheads, eyes, lips, and other various facial features (Osterburg and Ward 199-201).

The future of computer and its related technology is going to be playing a huge role in future areas of law enforcement.Some forms of virtue reality and simulators have and are being developed to help in training officers for certain incidents.These simulated experiences will be used to help rookie officer notice and “feel” the situation around them when they come upon a scene.It will make they use their knowledge along with the officers around them to determine the best course of action, instead of relying on the technology of the computer/machine like some kinds of simulators do (Forsythe 1-4).

Some of the areas of law enforcement that people don’t really think about a computer being used are in the squad cars, manufacturing of ammo and weapons, and even computer technology to develop such things as stun guns (these things are sweet—50,000 volts of ass-kicking power).

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