The criminal justice system, which is made up of the police, the courts, and corrections, has the responsibility to enforce the law and protect the public. In other words, to make the world a safer place for all. Over the years, there have been many changes in law and policy. Unfortunately, not the same thing can be affirmed about crime rates.
It seems that crime hasn’t declined in the United States. All that can change within a short time. People committing illegal acts deploy sophisticated technology. Professionals working in law enforcement have thought about doing the same thing. More precisely, they rely on tech tools to catch the bad guys.
Technology has indeed affected the criminal justice system but in a good way. Now, it’s possible to catch perpetrators and dispense justice. Law enforcement professionals can reduce crime, enhance data quality, and reduce racial disparities. If you would like to find out more about how technology is transforming the criminal justice field, please continue reading.
Thrilling technologies that are currently used in the criminal justice field
Technology can help professionals in the criminal justice field to stay ahead of those who break the law. We’re talking about technology that makes it possible for them to fight crime. Individuals who are taking into account a career in criminal justice need to become familiar with the advances that take place in this particular field.
Big data for criminal intelligence
Big data leads to smarter moves, more efficient operations, and new opportunities. It can be used for what is called predictive policing, which implies the use of statistical models to forecast increased risks of crime and to take action in this respect. Professionals use data on the times, locations, and nature of past crimes to get insight. The collected data can be utilized to make decisions about how to best use the resources to effectively reduce crime.
Law enforcement agencies could use analytics software to identify suspects or victims. Fingerprints and, most importantly, DNA is stored into the database and deployed to take appropriate action. Here are just some of the crime information systems that criminal- and non-criminal agencies can take advantage of:
Owing to big data analytics software, metadata and other types of information can be collected and analyzed for security reasons. There is no need for humans to do anything. As a matter of fact, it’s necessary to exercise caution. While big data can transform the way the process is handled, there are some issues with regard to storing objective evidence. Technology may possibly discriminate against women and other minorities.
Electronic monitoring for a more humane form of prison
Prison is hard for anyone. Many would argue that it’s quite inhumane. To eliminate degrading conditions, professionals in the criminal justice industry want to use electric monitoring more often. Convicted offenders are no longer sent to prison.
They go home and are monitored with the help of surveillance devices such as cameras, GPS monitoring systems, and so forth. Failure may occur, yet it’s highly unlikely. When someone is subject to electronic monitoring, the database should be updated with information.
In-car computers
The first thing that anyone notices about a police car is the paint job. People don’t take a moment to think that there might be something more. At present, police vehicles are equipped with sophisticated computers that provide advantages such as reduced errors in grammar and spelling, instantly uploading reports online, and the ability to work from anywhere. It’s not necessary to return to the police station for reporting.
Contrary to popular opinion, these devices aren’t distracting. No one would ever develop a system that would prevent police officers from carrying out their responsibilities. There is no denying the fact that in-car computers are helpful, but there are other pieces of technology that can come in handy, such as:
- Handheld lasers
- Drones
- Thermal imaging
Criminal defense attorneys use technology to try to persuade jurors
The role of the defense attorney is to represent the defendant in a criminal proceeding. Imagine the following situation: you have a client who was charged with a crime and you must get the case dismissed. It’s paramount to find a way to get the jury’s attention during the trial.
Recently, a woman in Utah was charged with a crime after one of her stepchildren saw her nude from the waist up. If you were a criminal defense attorney Salt Lake City, you would build your defense based on recent court rulings. You would argue that it’s not justified due to the preferential treatment of men when it comes down to baring one’s chest.
Anyway, how do you argue your case in front of the jurors? Simple. You tell the story exactly as it is. Instead of a dull PowerPoint presentation, you can leverage trial presentation software that presents the entire collection of evidence in an ingenious way. In other words, it’s a new way of telling the story. An attorney who has a chance to win the case is the one who tells the best story. Unfortunately, not all legal professionals use technology and when they do, PowerPoint is the preferred choice.
Legal professionals are increasingly deploying laptops and tablets to find legislation while they are waiting at the bar. Additionally, they enter court dates into digital calendars on their smartphones so that anyone else in the firm knows what is going on. The fact of the matter is that, soon, we will see attorneys and judges alike equipped with all kinds of smart devices that reduce paperwork and criminal records.
To sum up…
Technological innovations play an important part in the criminal justice field by helping combat crime. The focus right now is on crime prevention and police technology modernizations. This reflects the efforts to make citizens feel safe. It’s only the beginning of the technical revolution. Future technologies will significantly change organization and administration.
