Data security

5 Cool Technologies that Help Police in Fighting Crime

Fighting CrimeThe world of law enforcement is quite different than what it was almost a decade ago. Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds in just a few short years and has changed the way police officers do almost everything. Not only has the unimaginable been imagined, but it has also become a reality. There is absolutely no slowing down. Technological advancement is abounding from microcomputers in our glasses to drones in the sky. Here are some of the technologies that have jumped out of science fiction into the real world and are assisting the police in their fight against crime:

Drones on Patrol

For law enforcement officials, drones are on their way of becoming their eyes, as unmanned drones can be incredibly helpful in patrolling areas and in ways that's just not possible for the police. Crime analysts and police dispatchers can obtain real-time information through patrol drones, which can be very valuable. They are able to know about dangerous situations while they are unfolding and crimes in progress. This can help them in planning better responses and saving lives. Furthermore, drones can also assist in obtaining evidence in the form of images and videos of crimes.

Google Glass

This particular device contains a camera that can record and analyze everything in sight. Police offers wearing these glasses will be able to access information about vehicles, businesses and homes in any area. Facial recognition software that gives real-time information about nearby individuals can also be found in smartphones so any suspect can be apprehended easily.

Social Media

These days, the public uses a wide range of social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for sharing information about themselves. It has become a crucial criminal justice tool as tips about a person's habits and activities are obtained through these networks, which aid in detecting crimes that previously remained hidden.

Biometrics

The use of biometrics refers to the use of unique biological characteristics such as retina scans, fingerprints and DNA for identifying people. Law enforcement circles are increasingly using biometrics for suspect identification and data security. Previously, there was a lot of work and time involved in identification of fingerprints etc., but technology has helped in saving time and has reduced the effort as well. Now, police offers can use handheld scanners for identification purposes and DNA databases have been computerized, which provide easy and quick access.

GPS

While it may not be new, the Global Positioning System is not being used in various applications, which wasn't done before. Police officers are able to use GPS technology for pinpointing the location of a call and determining the safest and fastest route to it. This allows them to provide help to people efficiently and promptly. Likewise, locations of crash investigations and traffic shops can be recorded, which is then exported to maps to prevent traffic accidents. Also, crime analysts use GPS technology for learning emerging trends in criminal activities and locations for effective patrol assignments.

Others

Apart from these common technologies, there are others that help police officers in dealing with crimes such as DUIs, i.e. driving under the influence. This doesn't just lead to injuries, but can also be fatal in some cases.

Kahlil Saman from The Saman Law Firm suggests, "there are smartphone apps that record other drivers so identifying photos can be given to authorities." Smartphones can be mounted on dashboards and windshields for recording purposes. A laser Breathalyzer can also be used for remotely sensing alcohol vapor in cars to identify drunk drivers. An electronic warrant system has also been introduced for cutting back paperwork and flagging a DUI case immediately.

Through the use of these technologies, law enforcement is in a much better position to reduce crime.

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