The Role of Technology in Law Enforcement
The police officer can conduct a quicker and more comprehensive investigation thanks to a variety of technologies. Among these technologies are crime lights, which have various wavelengths and are therefore helpful for detecting body fluids, hair, and fiber (The Police Chief 2016). The officer can additionally make use of an automated fingerprint recognition device (AFIS). The system scans and digitizes the prints, then uses a computer to identify the fingerprints located on surfaces. The system can therefore distinguish between millions of images in 5-10 minutes. Since he will be able to distinguish between the fingerprints on the hammer and those from the handprint, these technologies will make the officers' jobs simpler. Consequently, the officer will be able to identify the burglar by using the fingerprints.
The Role of Technology in Prison Security
The technology available to the prison guard is the laser. A handheld laser is designed to identify the chemical composition of any substance within a few seconds. Consequently, the device can identify the chemical makeup of a substance with more than 90% certainty (The Police Chief, 2016). As such, the laser will be useful in the work of the prison guard because it will enable him/her
in the identification of the items carried by visitors. Consequently, it will be possible to prevent visitors from smuggling in contraband.
The Role of Technology in Probation
The technology available to the probation officer includes electronic surveillance systems. There are a variety of surveillance systems designed for different purposes. In this case, the probation officer can use the miniature transmitters and electronic beepers (The Police Chief, 2016). The transmitter is designed to transmit speeches while the beeper is designed to monitor movements in restricted areas. As such, the two devices can be attached to the ankle monitor to ensure that they remain in close contact with the probationer. Consequently, the probation officer will be able to remain in contact with the probationers by knowing their exact locations as well as their identity through identification of their voices.
The Impact of Technology on Law Enforcement
Technology has positively impacted the working conditions of law enforcement agencies by making it easier to conduct investigations and identify lawbreakers. However, each application of technology should be done with the confinement of the constitution to avoid infringing on people's rights, especially the right to privacy (National Institute of Justice, 2017). According to the case of United States v. White, 401 U.S. 745 (1971), it was ruled that the state did not require a warrant to acquire the electronically recorded statement. This ruling was based on the fourth amendment provisions, which do not offer protection to wrongdoers when they choose to confide in an individual. As such, this case has reshaped the role of law enforcement practitioners by providing the guidelines that must be followed when admitting evidence obtained using technology.
Career Path: Information Security Analysis
One of the career paths I am interested in learning and utilizing is information security analysis. The role of information security analysts is to ensure that networks are secured, thus protecting the users' data and other information (Stamp, 2011). In an era where the use of the internet is rapidly progressing, many people do not know how to protect themselves from hacking and other types of cyber-attacks. As such, I would like to venture into information security analysis to help individuals and organizations identify attackers as well as help them protect themselves and their networks. In addition, this career path will assist in the identification of the attackers and therefore their conviction.
References
The Police Chief. (2016). The Professional Voice of Law EnforcementWeb.archive.org. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20160417142846/http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=1527&issue_id=62008 [Accessed 21 Nov. 2017]
National Institute of Justice. (2017). Law Enforcement Equipment and Technology | National Institute of Justice. [online] Available at: https://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/technology/pages/welcome.aspx [Accessed 21 Nov. 2017].
Stamp, M. (2011). Information security: principles and practice. John Wiley & Sons.
United States v. White, 401 U.S. 745, 91 S. Ct. 1122, 28 L. Ed. 2d 453 (1971). http://www.invispress.com/law/justice/white.html
