Summary
Mytown Police Department is one of the beneficiaries of a federal grant. The grant aims at upgrading the equipment and technology used in the organization. According to the parameters used in the grant process, it is obligatory that the organization should use novel equipment in promoting decision making and operations in the organization.
As the Deputy Chief, I am tasked with the responsibility of identifying novel technological advances, which are in agreement with the grant criteria. Moreover, the technologies should enable the organization to develop and grow.
This paper aims at identifying three novel technological advances, which are linked to criminal justice. Moreover, there will be a detailed explanation of the use of these technologies, as well as their benefits. More specifically, there will be a keen focus on how the technologies will enhance and inform strategic and operational decisions.
Technological Advances
Technology possesses a huge transformational power within the criminal justice sector. Evidently, the revolution of technology, which is being noted in every sector, is not an exception in the criminal justice department. The criminal justice system cannot avoid technology. The technology is taking place at a relatively fast pace (Pattavina, 2004).
For instance, police officers put on bullet proof vests routinely. Community groups possess the capability of establishing crime incidences via the utilization of complex computerized crime diagrams. This paper will discuss three technologies; DNA technology, information technology, and drug testing technology.
Detailed Explanation on How Technology Will Be Used
DNA technology
DNA technology has become increasingly significant in the criminal justice system. It has greatly led to escalated levels of fairness and accuracy within the system. DNA is increasingly being utilized in criminal identification. This is achieved with unbelievable accuracy. This is in cases where there is existence of biological evidence, and DNA is the selected option for clearing suspects and exonerating individuals, who were convicted or accused mistakenly for particular criminal activities (Lazer, 2004).
DNA technology has a major role in post- conviction review (the court’s science) and assisting investigators. The biologic centrality involved in DNA ensures that potential and actual forensic applications are exceptionally relevant and powerful.
For effective use of DNA technology, it is necessary that there is adequate backing, training, and funding. Support should be given to judges, defense lawyers, prosecutors, victim service providers, medical professionals, police, and local, state, and federal forensic labs.
Creating knowledge to these groups of people will ensure that the technology is used maximally in missing persons’ identification, protecting innocent individuals, and solving crimes. There are numerous cases involving missing people and unidentified human remains, which can be solved effectively through the use of DNA technology.
There are several measures which can ensure a convincing and secure environment for DNA. Majority of the specialists who deal with criminal justice need sufficient support and training, in regard to the utilization and acquisition of DNA evidence. Moreover, there is a need for stimulating research and coming up with novel DNA advances and technologies in the area. Hrechak and McHugh (1990) argue that crime laboratories need improvement for effective analysis of samples.
Information Technology
Information technology advances have contributed significantly in crime deterrence and detection, in regard to criminal activities. There is a need for decision makers within the system to learn the various mechanism involved in information technology. These involve the implementation, evaluation, and acquisition of novel information solutions.
This is an extremely vital aspect in a system, where the public funds’ accountability and effectiveness in IT solutions’ implementation cannot be underrated. Therefore, comprehensive awareness creation is essential so as to avoid unrealistic expectations, as far as equipment performance is concerned.
Information technology is directly connected to cybercrime and its impacts on the society. Policing agencies use fake websites and honeypots to track and catch sexual predators. Moreover, information technology is used to improve retailers’ websites, which hinders hacking.
This is usually achieved without interfering with how effectively customers use it. In addition, there is the aspect of design and utilization of technologically advanced products, for instance Clipper Chip, which can enable the government unscramble encrypted files. It is worth emphasizing that there is need for the balance between privacy and information accessibility.
Drug Testing Technology
Urinalysis is the key testing methodology in the entire system. Drug testing is carried out in the entire criminal justice system stages. These stages include parole, probation, incarceration, arrest, and pretrial phase. Drug testing is carried out for a number of reasons (Cole, Smith & DeJong, 2012).
The first reason is informing judges about sentencing and bail- setting. For instance, if an individual tests positive for drugs during arrest, there may be pretrial release and consequent drug tests. If the next drug test turns out negative, the bail could be revoked. A drug test could also indicate if all the necessary conditions and rules were adhered to. In cases where a defendant is monitored at every stage, a drug test can act as the proof that the individual is drug free.
The results obtained can be used as evidence during the revocation hearings. It is worth noting that drugs tests are useful in prisons for assessing the prevalence of drug abuse in rehabilitation facilities. Drug tests are also imperative in identifying the individuals who require drug rehabilitation. The tests are vital for persons being monitored for drug treatment.
In the criminal justice arena, urinalysis is carried out through chromatography and immunoassays. Antibodies are principal in identifying drugs in urine. The specimen is consequently compared using a calibrator. The calibrator has a certain amount of the drug being tested. A positive drug test is indicated by an equal or greater specimen compared to the calibrator. On the other hand, a negative test has a lower specimen compared to the calibrator.
In chromatography, the procedures used are meant to recognize and isolate the specimen’s components. In urinalysis, mass spectrometry and gas chromatography are considered are the legally defensible procedures. In addition to the procedures discussed, there is saliva, hair, and blood analysis. However, these are rarely used in the criminal justice system, as they are exceptionally expensive and have insufficient development of technology.
Benefits: Enhancing and Informing Strategic and Operational Decisions
It is worth emphasizing that DNA technology has been extremely beneficial in exonerating the innocent. According to Berger (2006), this is usually achieved through post- conviction testing. It is imperative that keen measures are put in place, because exoneration does not always imply innocence.
The fact that the DNA from a defendant is absent on significant evidence, does not always mean that no crime was committed. For instance, there might have been sexual assault but no ejaculation. The evidence’s context is considered the principal thing in comprehending DNA results.
It is worth pointing out that technology should not be considered as the driving force towards transformation. On the contrary, it should be seen as the agent for criminal justice transformation. This should be accomplished in a way that promotes the department’s ability to curb crime.
This is in addition to the desire to promote justice through ways which agree with the community’s democratic values. Singer, Miller and Adya (2007) assert that iinformation technology can be extremely beneficial in community policing. There is a need for solid partnerships between police departments and the information technology industry. This will enhance novel science to promote reforms in community policing.
A positive drug test indicates that the individual in mentioned abused drugs. However, there is a need to come up with procedures through which the drug dosage, time of drug administration, method of administration, and the level of impairment caused can be determined.
It is therefore evident that drug testing is useful in the criminal justice system in that it assists in decision making and operational procedures. A negative drug test indicates that an individual is innocent, and he might be consequently released. In essence, drug technology, information technology, and drug testing technology are extremely vital in the criminal justice system. They are vital in regard to decision making and operations. Therefore, every expert in the field should possess the skills to use these technologies.
References
Berger, M. A. (2006). The impact of DNA exonerations on the criminal justice system. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 34(2), 320-327.
Cole, G. F., Smith, C. E., & DeJong, C. (2012). The American system of criminal justice. Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Hrechak, A. K., & McHugh, J. A. (1990). Automated fingerprint recognition using structural matching. Pattern Recognition, 23(8), 893-904.
Lazer, D. (2004). DNA and the criminal justice system: The technology of justice. The MIT Press.
Pattavina, A. (Ed.). (2004). Information technology and the criminal justice system. SAGE Publications, Incorporated.
Singer, J. A., Miller, M. K., & Adya, M. (2007). Impact of DNA and Other Technology on the Criminal Justice System: Improvements and Complications, The. Alb. LJ Sci. & Tech., 17, 87.