Technology has revolutionized almost every industry in the modern world we are living in, and it has become part of our daily needs. Computers have become easily accessible and affordable to most people and are used widely all over the world to solve various needs. The world is connected in a way through the aid of computer technology. One of the sector that have, over the years, been experiencing these changes is the law enforcement sector, which has been using computers for various security measures and crime follow up. This write-up aims to investigate the merits and demerits of computers, software as well as the use of computer technology in crime investigations. Additionally, the paper also seeks to address real cases that will be researched to understand how criminals use computers and technology advancements in conducting their criminal activities. Finally, the paper will also examine a case where computing technology was utilized and benefited the prosecution in a criminal-related case. Undoubtedly, one can see how the law enforcement department has tremendously benefited from computers, especially in recent years. Some of the benefits include holding databases of information with crucial data that is either stored in the hard disks or the cloud (Edwards, 2020). Additionally, the computers are also used for running sophisticated software that aid in face recognition or fingerprints identity as well as connecting to the Web, which serves as a rich source of intelligence and mode of communication. The way the law officers are currently investigating crimes has slowly been changing due to recent advancements in terms of computers, software and other digital technological inventions such as biometrics, body-worn cameras as well as crime mapping software (Hollywood et al., 2018). Through the mentioned gadgets, the officers on the ground can catch up with criminals and track their movement easily without physical confrontation with them. In addition to digital technology, forensic technologies are also useful in law enforcement department in various ways. They include alternative light photography, Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and 3D forensic facial reconstruction aid the investigating officers and scientists in getting evidence to secure convictions. As much as computer technology seems so beneficial to the law enforcement and investigation department, criminals have also found a new path of conducting various and fetal crimes. As said earlier, technology has been on the rise and affordable to every individual who wishes to utilize any technological devices. Thus the same way the computers and software are beneficial to law officers is the same way they are to criminals. This reason has the FBI to recognize and report this tremendous increase in computer-based crimes, which have been on the rise, which has, over the years, led to huge losses. Crimes such as identity theft have been on the rise due to computer technology advancements (Custers, & Vergouw, 2015). With the aid of computing-technology, criminals can perform significant crimes such as credit card fraud, vehicular theft, in addition to new crimes like sextortion. This is the act of criminals who threaten their victims of sharing compromised sexual photos and videos if their demands are not met (Wexler, 2018). Additionally, the internet has provided criminals with a place for transacting drugs, sex, and weapons which are commonly known as the dark web. As mentioned above, technology and computers are widely used by criminals to do various types of crimes without requiring much effort since all they need is a computer and a good internet connection. An example of a case-study where a computer technology was used to aid in the commission of a crime is the case of a certain computer expert by the name Justin Larson. The computer scientist who was believed to be 30-years-old utilized a system in the computer known as encrypted communication to distribute drugs all over without the help of a gang or connection as it was before (Wexler, 2018). The well-educated man young who appeared before the district judge of Maryland carefully started by researching drug classification and specifications as well as how one distributes them illegally through technology means, which he successfully achieved through the internet. Larson was able to make a secure connection with a Chinese fentanyl dealer through the help of the dark-web, where they were able to communicate through a sophisticated messaging channel (Wexler, 2018). This case exemplifies how the internet and technology devices have aided in not only drug trafficking but also other major crimes like the case of Justin Larson who was subjected to life in imprisonment for distribution of acetyl fentanyl, that led to death of some of his clients. Collection and analysis of evidence have been made easy and efficient by the improved technology, which makes it easy for solving crimes and the preparation of court cases. Technology devices have been significantly advanced where their easy availability and portable nature have made creation, storage, and access to information easier. For instance, computer technology was beneficial in the prosecution of a murder trial case of Casey Anthony in the year 2011, which was all over the news in the U.S (Goodison, Davis, & Jackson, 2015). It was recorded that Anthony reported a missing case of her two-year-old daughter in 2008, where she was later arrested for child neglect, obstruction and false statement by the State of Florida. Anthony was charged with murder after investigations suggested homicide from the physical evidence from her car. The court indicated that digital proof would help prove that Anthony was searching for homicide-related ways following the news of her missing daughter (Goodison, Davis, & Jackson, 2015). This called an action for the digital investigators who went ahead to prove that indeed she had searched from homicide-related terms such as chloroform chemical that was later found in her car trunk. This is a clear example of how computer technology helped the prosecution to prove Anthony guilty of the murder of her two-year-old daughter.
Conclusion
Generally, it is without a doubt clear that the emerging technologies are of great benefit to law enforcement officers and have come to simplify the work that would have required a lot of energy and space on small gadgets such as computers. If the criminal activities associated with the growing technology can be contained in a way, then computers would have fewer damages on the users. On the contrary, the benefits are more than the disadvantages, and the results are outstanding. Criminals are also tracked using the same technology they are taking advantage of hence making the work of the law enforcement officers easier, especially in tracking and monitoring them. However, more training should be offered to the officers to be able to cab cyber-criminals more effectively in the future.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
References
Custers, B., & Vergouw, B. (2015). Promising policing technologies: Experiences, obstacles and police needs regarding law enforcement technologies. Computer Law & Security Review, 31 (4), 518-526.
Edwards, C. (2020). How is computer technology used in law enforcement? Itstillworks. https://itstillworks.com/computer-technology-used-law-enforcement-1233.html
Goodison, S. E., Davis, R. C., & Jackson, B. A. (2015). Digital evidence and the US criminal justice system: Identifying technology and other needs to more effectively acquire and utilize digital evidence. Rand Corporation . https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR890.html
Hollywood, J. S., Woods, D., Lauland, A., Jackson, B. A. & Silberglitt, R. (2018). Emerging technology trends and their impact on criminal justice. Rand Corporation . https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9996.html
Wexler, C. (2018). The changing nature of crime and criminal investigations . https://perf.memberclicks.net/assets/ChangingNatureofCrime.pdf
