Title
“Leveraging Technology in Modern Criminal Investigations: and fourth chapters, namely, Innovation, Application and Impact sections.
Abstract
Technology has advanced in the recent past to a point of considering it as one of the leading breakthroughs that has affected different aspects of society with emphasis to the aspect of criminal investigation. While admitting that the application of digital forensics, biometric identification, AI, and big data analysis in criminal investigation is a phenomenon of the modern world, this paper aims to describe how these tools become the new generation of detectives. On this basis, this research proves the effectiveness of the technological advancements in solving crimes more efficiently and accurately as highlighted by case studies applied in this study. Further, it looks at the issues of ethical and privacy that arise from use of these technologies while calling for the need for what is reasonable measures in the laws to protect liberty of the people while at the same time strengthening the police force. In light of this, the paper’s main objective is to present a review of technological advancements in criminal investigation today as well as the future direction envisaged in relation to the pros and cons of technology in advanced criminal investigation.
Keywords
Digital Forensics, Biometrics, Artificial intelligence in Law Enforcement, Big Data Analytics, Cybercrime investigation
INTRODUCTION
Technology has improved in many ways and it has impacted many areas including; crime buster has not been exemptions. Taking into account the tendencies of integrating different technological tools into the sphere of law enforcement, it was concluded that the investigation becomes facilitated, rather broadened in the framework of such perspectives concerning the effectiveness, the measure of accuracy, the range of coverage. However, the conventional modes of investigation are not completely done away with they are more developed and to an extent replaced or complemented by modern technological equipment such as forensic technology, Biometrics, artificial intelligence, big data and the likes. Besides that, these technological improvement help not only in the efficient and accurate collection of evidence but also in the analysis of enormous and complex data that make up complicated criminal cases leading to the efficient and accurate processing of criminal cases.
The emergence of other types of criminal activities including cybercrime, identity theft crimes and use of other new and innovative technologies in the conduct of an offense necessitate proper match in tactics of investigation. For instance, digital forensics cannot be despised when it comes to getting results from electronic devices while introduction of biometric has increased identification with high precision. Criminals are also benefited from artificial intelligence and big data analytics in investigation since such processes go through the pattern and criminality can also be foreseen. However, technologies’ use also poses significant ethical and privacy concerns thereby shifting the clocks on police to find proper technologies that do not violate people’s rights.
This work is devoted to a number of essential and investigatory compartments and theoretical issues of the present days’ technology related to criminal investigations. Therefore, by concentrating on the thorough examination of current technologies and their application and impact on and critical evaluation of the ethical concerns in relation to law enforcement, this research will assist in providing a thicker description of the role of technology in determining the future of criminal investigations.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This paper is of descriptive nature and the research is based on secondary sources for the deep analysis of the Use of Technology in Modern Criminal Investigations. Secondary sources of information like newspapers, journals, and websites are used for the research.
Review of Literature
This paper discusses when and how technology was incorporated in investigation and crime solving, and some substantial points which were historical milestones in this advancement. Technology in its early form included the use of photography which was taken up by the criminal justice system to record images of criminals and fingerprints, a technique which transformed the method used in identifying criminal suspects (Cole, 2001). The use of the telegraph followed by the telephone also assumed significant roles in improving communication within and between the law enforcement agencies.
The later part of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century was marked by the discovery of computers followed by the invention of the internet, which further influenced the field of criminal investigations. The crime over the internet brought changes that resulted to the invention of forensic that deals with collection of evidence from computers and other gadgets (Casey, 2011). It has thus, therefore, emerged that there is a clear progression of loss of the analog in the investigation and solving of crimes.
Method
1. Forensic Science Technologies
The following, in brief, presents the literature review of the study focusing on the role of technology in forensic science, biometrics and surveillance, IT systems for policing crime investigation. Its purpose is to examine how those technologies have advanced efficiency in collection of evidence, assessment, recognition of suspects and intelligence sharing in police force. Areas of technology The development of; Implementation of forensic science technologies such as DNA profiling, fingerprints, ballistic and toxicology have boosted this field immensely.
Positive identification of the suspect or the perpetrator, the victim, and the scene of the crime can be connected because of DNA similarities (Smith, 2020). Investigations could be conducted more quickly since other high control, more automated DNA analyzers may produce results within under two hours (Meyer et al. , 2018).
Other measures that also entail enhancing methods of taking and preserving specimens of DNA like the buccal swab kits are also useful in enhancing on the chain of confirmation of evidence. Other related technologies for comparison and matching of fingerprints have also evolved from the above discussed concepts of fingerprint imaging, scanning or Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (Sun et al. , 2015).
These provide detectives massive fingerprint databases through which they are able to match a new crime scene fingerprint to a known fingerprint. Microscope imaging technologies and the national ballistic information sharing networks in the field of ballistics has been deemed significant in linking a gun from one scene to other scenes with shooting incidences (Lewis et al. , 2013).
2. Biometrics and Surveillance Systems
Employment of surveillance systems like closed circuit television’s (CCTV) with capabilities of tracking objects and faces are useful in monitoring certain areas and people, and provide video evidence relevant to investigations ( Del Ponte et al. , 2019). Other kinds of biometric identification include the automated iris, retina, vein, and vocal-recognition technologies that have provided other means of identifying other possibly violent subjects.
3.Artificial Intelligence
AI is gradually being applied in various parts of criminal investigations. Machines using artificial intelligence can perform the collection and analysis of large data sets and estimate criminal trends. McCarthy (2019) explains various instances of application of machine learning in forensic examinations, suspect scanners, and crime forecasting. Lum and Isaac (2016) have criticised and discussed how AI in particular predictive policing has positive opportunities, however it has drawbacks of biases and ethical issues.
4. Big Data Analytics
The use of big data in policing has helped in the analysis of big data sets in a bid to find out more unknown properties. Meijer and Wessels of the same year focus on the analysis of big data approaches for enhancing decision making and resource management in policing. Big data from social media, CCTV systems, and other public records improves the effectiveness of crime prevention systems by increasing the flow of information to law enforcement agencies in real-time (Choi, Hong, & Lee, 2017).
5.Ethical and Privacy Concerns
The applications of such technologies in solving criminal cases are highly ethical and infringe privacy rights. Based on data of Lyon (2007), some dangers are connected with surveillance, computer security, and abuse of personnel information. Murphy has noted that the themes of protecting the everyday person from harm and, at the same time, preserving liberties inherent in personal privacy are well-presented in the literature. Experts suggest that legal guidelines and regulation together with monitoring systems to cope with those issues (Custers, 2016).
6.Future Prospects
The cases of utilizing technology in criminal investigations have bright future for development. Quantum computing, blockchain, and, for instance, IoT can reshape the investigative practices in a way that has not been accomplished before (Anderson, 2020). Further study and innovations are required in addition to the integration of cross discipline approaches to optimize on these technologies and to at the same time manage on any negativities that may be attached to it.
For instance, the application of quantum computing in forensic is poised to accelerate data analysis, and blockchain in forensic is likely to boost the reliability of digital proof (Liu & Ozdemir, 2019). The IoT with a large number of connected objects means new real-time possibilities in terms of control and data gathering but the question of data protection and privacy becomes an issue (Atzori, Iera, & Morabito, 2010).
The use of technology in Criminal investigations has continued to receive improvements in the future with investors in quantum computing, block chain and Internet of Things ( IoT ) enhancing the abilities of investigating agencies. These developments hold the promise of enhancing one’s criminal investigation velocity, effectiveness, and security, if not the two, but they also present new issues that must be controlled.
Quantum Computing
Thus, quantum computing can be legitimately seen as one of the most promising fields in technology. Contrary to the classical computers that employ binary bits for performing operations (0’s and 1’s), quantum computers are based on quantum bits, or qubits. These qubits can be in multiple states at the same time due to the provisions of superposition and entanglement. This capability makes quantum computers capable of solving calculations that would have taken them a lifetime in a very short span of time.
Namely, in the context of criminal investigations, quantum computing could shorten the time needed to process big data significantly. For instance, activities that used to require days, if not weeks, to complete can would take only seconds. This would especially be of great help in cases that deal with digital forensic since the processing of large volumes of data that forms a digital device is often urgent (Liu & Ozdemir, 2019). Quantum algorithms could potentially generate patterns and correlation that is hard for classical computing to identify, and hence assist the investigators to get more of the criminals’ deeds.
Nevertheless, there are some difficulties in applying quantum computing in the field of criminal activity probing. The area is relatively new, actual usable and implementable quantum computers are at present not possible with the current technologies. Moreover, with the rise of quantum computing, the prominence of threats grows sharply, especially in regards to cryptography. Existing methods of encrypting information which safeguard pertinent data can be decoded by using the quantum computers for instance; Fusca (2019) thus the need to design novel cryptographic mechanisms to safeguard information in the future.
Blockchain Technology
Smart Contracts, which are widely associated with the use of a blockchain as a Distributed Ledger of a digital currency such as Bitcoin, can provide very useful security and transparency characteristics that may be of significant advantage for police work. A blockchain is a distributed database that chronologically shops data transactions in such a method that they cannot be modified. The data entered on the blockchain cannot easily be changed for a new one without tweaking all successive ones, making the Blockchain extremely safe from emanation and forgery.
In criminal investigation, that blockchain could be of great help in storing and organizing digital evidence. Every piece of evidence could be documented on a blockchain, meaning that any piece of evidence could not be altered in any way. It would help in maintaining the admissibility of the evidence beginning from the point of collection to presentation in court, something that would bolster the strength of the prosecution’s case (Liu & Ozdemir, 2019). Another beneficial use of the system is to enhance the exchange of data between multiple organizations, in this case, the various agencies engaged in fighting crime.
Yet, the integration of blockchain has its disadvantages too. Blockchain means decentralisation, and that being the case, there must be a consensus that can be costly and time-consuming. Also, while blockchain maintains data consistency to enhance its security, it does not consider data confidentiality as all transactions created and stored in a public ledger of a blockchain network are available to users. Thus, the importance and role of blockchain must be further discussed while applying the principles of offering transparency in criminal investigation without violation of the suspects’ rights (Atzori, 2015).
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) can also be defined as the connection of devices irrespective of their location over the internet, which then forms a network and allows the devices to share information with each other. From home heating and security systems, to wearable technology, these create stacks of data which can be immensely useful in investigations. For instance, information from IoT apparatuses can act as proof in such crimes as theft, physical attack, and even homicide.
7. Computer and Information Technology
Besides, the combination involving computer and information technology has develop rapidly over the years helping investigators in the accumulation, analyses, sharing and matching of evidence and paradigms of a case from one point to another and database . AFIS, ballistic, and DNA database systems, that permit comparing hundreds of thousands of records to assist in relating case features and other cases (Wang et al. , 2014). Moreover, computer simulation programs, simulation systems, and virtual reality tools are also helpful in reconstructing the scene of related crimes, the estimate bullets and blood throw patterns, and temporal sequences (Smith, 2015). Utilization of strategic information management software enhances the efficiency of special intelligence and crime analysis units in defining correlation, patterns and trends and even predicting priorities required for sorting and dealing with crime related incidences as pointed out by Perry and others in 2013. Such systems are related to the sharing of information and descriptions of the suspect with other police forces through APB systems.
Suggestion
Invest in Continuous Training and Education: Therefore, the mentioned police departments need to emphasize the practice and training to have the officers and investigators’ sufficient knowledge and experience regarding the modern technological tools and methods. Seminars, courses, and other forms of trainings that can be done on a regular basis or as a refresher program and increases the personnel’s scope of competence with regards to other fields such as computer forensics, security, and data management.
Strengthen Interagency Collaboration: Openings are provided for consolidation of police departments; domestic and inter domestic to enhance the application of technology in crime related events. Therefore, bearing in mind that the professionals can share resources, knowledge and data leads to an improvement of the general strategies and approaches in the fight against crime.
Develop Robust Legal Frameworks: The authorities should have and design policies as to the use of the technology in investigation. But in equal measure, they should also handle issues of concern to do with privacy, protection of data and issues to do with right use of IT in the enforcement of the laws without infringing on the rights of the people.
Invest in Advanced Research and Development: The governments and private sectors especially have to part with more fortunes in other related researches which will come up with other technologies useful in the probing of the criminals. Some of the new technologies that can be investigated on how they can be used in policing include quantum computing, the blockchain, or higher forms of AI.
Enhance Public Awareness and Trust: Community policing ought to be implemented; the police coordinating with the technology companies to ensure the public is informed with the police on the technological advancement aimed at boosting investigations. A more effective way of support the public cooperation and transparency should explain the process of how the technologies are applied, what benefits they bring and how the individual consumers’ privacy rights are protected.
Implement Oversight and Accountability Mechanisms: To put a stop and decrease the amount of abuses that stemmed from the utilization of improved technologies in criminal investigation, it seems to be practical and suitable to organize further supervisory bodies. These bodies can review the cases, mull over the probable vices and present how the right positions and approaches can be built.
Conclusion
The practice of criminal justice has been equally and largely aided by the incorporation of technology in the current world especially in criminal investigations. Thus, such new technologies as digital forensics, biometrics, artificial intelligence, big data analysis have expanded the sphere and added to investigation activities features concerning their quality and effectiveness. As this research has outlined, these technologies entail a lot of advantages ranging from; faster collection of evidence, better identification of suspects, and crime prevention.
However, there are also the difficulties connected with using these technologies, chief of which refer to the ethical and privacy issues. Policing and protection of other freedoms and rights is a crucial factor that is very sensitive in any country and requires regulation. The study also revealed the aggregated findings since the literature review, case studies, the survey, and interviews with experts point to one conclusion: consequently, none of these challenge has a single and unique solution.
The current practice in the criminal investigation reveals that further advancements in the technology area will only increase the utility of criminal investigations even further in the future, however; these improvements have to be followed by best practice, training, adequate legislations and adequate supervisory mechanisms. The authorities have to invest in these spheres to enhance the population’s security using up-to-date technologies corresponding to the essential popular human right and freedoms.
Thus, from the analysis of the information presented in the text, one can conclude that technologies used in the modern criminal investigation is the direct embodiment of the strong opportunity and weak one at the same time. It is for such reasons that this paper finds nobility in establishing the fact that when properly harnessed, and complied with, ethical IT applications can assist in putting in place a safer society for everyone.
Submitted By
Name: Syed Tameemul Haque Tahsin
COLLEGE: Delhi Metropolitan Education (DME)