Technology has impacted our lives in so many ways that it would take a while to list them all, but a lot of people can tell you that it has been helpful when it comes to security and safety regarding crime. Here are technologies that help law enforcement.
1. CCTV
Closed-circuit television or CCTV is a way for people to keep an eye on a certain area at all times, whether it's being monitored live or recorded to be watched when needed. CCTV cameras can now be found in all big companies and even small stores.
While this has been the subject of privacy concerns out of fear of being watched constantly, it has no doubt been instrumental in identifying perpetrators in many cases. It is even installed in private residences for security purposes.
2. Facial Recognition
Just like CCTVs, facial recognition technology has also been helpful in determining the identity of a criminal caught on camera. The problem is that the facial recognition technology we have now could still use a few tweaks.
It's still not as accurate as it should be and sometimes misidentifies people. It has even been accused of racial bias in some cases. Still, the technology helps the authorities catch criminals faster, therefore preventing further crimes from being committed.
3. Robotics
Police and other types of law enforcers always put their lives on the line when they're on the job. While it's sometimes as simple as checking out a noise complaint, they can sometimes end up in the middle of shootouts or something as extreme as bombing situations
Through robotics, they have the tools to scout ahead without risking any human lives. For instance, drones are sometimes sent overhead to check on the situation before they enter. Some robots can even open a package in case they are too suspicious to be handled.
Read Also: Use of Live Facial Recognition by UK Police Violates Ethics, Human Rights: Here's Why
4. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has been a convenience for law enforcement since they need to keep the records of millions of people such as photos, videos, police reports, important information for people of interest, and fingerprints.
With access to this source, authorities are able to quickly conduct analysis on several cases, as well as collect important data without having to browse through paperwork. With a centralized database, they can also access data gathered by other stations.
5. Social Media
Under digital technology, social media has been a valuable source of information. It can even hold public data that the police do not have in their database. In fact, a lot of crimes have already been solved with the help of social media users.
For instance, criminal Luka Magnotta who was guilty of murder was found mainly with the help of people from the internet. Social media companies are sometimes helpful with tracking IP addresses when the law requires them to provide such information.
Related: European Law Enforcement Helps More Than 1.5 Million People Decrypt Ransomware
