Technology in the world of Criminal Justice

As technology becomes more entrenched in our daily lives, so does its role in the criminal justice system

When it comes to crime, technology plays a dichotomous role. Its purposes split as two sides of the same coin, it fluidly morphs itself both as a weapon increasingly used by criminals to commit heinous crime; and as a tool used by law enforcement to combat them.

From advanced GPS systems and robots to state-of-the-art surveillance mechanisms, modern technological tools have transformed the way criminal justice functions today. They primarily allow for better scrutiny and investigation, ease the process of analysis and storage of secure information and as an added perk, improve internal communication.

Some of the major technological tools that play a role in criminal justice are:

Big Data

In recent years, big data has enabled legal experts in a multitude of ways – from storage of information and evidence and catching perpetrators to analysing trends using AI and predicting threats. The DNA, fingerprint and facial recognition data systems play a very vital role there. They help authorities to quickly identify and gain access to criminal histories – all of which has now become increasingly indispensable in the process of crime solving.

Detection, Monitoring and Positioning Systems

Drones, GPS systems, firearms ballistics technology, license plate recognition softwares and the many, clever tools of surveillance populating the criminal landscape today – they all come very handy when it comes to detecting, tracking and positioning perpetrators, at times even mid-crime to collect incriminating evidence.

Robotics

Security robots keep a watchful eye for suspicious activity, flag them and alert the authorities whenever needed. Robotics today, plays a very crucial role in high-risk reconnaissance situations and bomb disposal scenarios.

At the end of it all, this article is all but a small peek behind the curtain. With every passing day, as technology becomes more entrenched in our daily lives, so does its role in the criminal justice system. Even when criminals try to repurpose technology to suit their greed, there will always be experts who will beat them at their own game. As of now, and perhaps even in the distant future, it seems like technology will play an indispensable role when it comes to criminal justice, safety and security.