16.4 Emerging Technologies in Crime and Criminal Justice
3 min read•july 22, 2024
Criminal justice is evolving with new tech. From to , these tools aim to prevent crime and improve investigations. But they also raise ethical concerns about privacy, bias, and fairness.
The impact of these technologies is mixed. While they can enhance efficiency and effectiveness, there are unintended consequences. Overreliance on tech, widening , and criminal adaptation are challenges that need addressing as justice systems modernize.
Emerging Technologies in Criminal Justice
Emerging technologies in criminal justice
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- Predictive policing software analyzes crime data to identify patterns and hotspots helping allocate resources and prevent crimes before they occur (PredPol, HunchLab)
- include CCTV cameras, video analytics, facial recognition technology, and drones for monitoring high-crime areas (ShotSpotter, Rekognition)
- Investigation technologies
- Digital forensics tools recover and analyze data from electronic devices to help solve cyber crimes and gather digital evidence (Cellebrite, Encase)
- systems use fingerprint, DNA, and facial recognition databases to assist in identifying suspects and linking them to crimes (AFIS, CODIS)
- Corrections technologies
- Electronic monitoring devices such as GPS ankle bracelets track offenders to ensure compliance with parole or probation conditions (BI TAD, 3M)
- enables remote medical consultations and treatment improving access to healthcare for inmates (Corizon Health, NaphCare)
Ethical implications of justice technologies
- arise from mass surveillance and data collection leading to potential abuse and violation of individual privacy rights
- Balancing public safety with personal privacy remains a challenge
- Bias and fairness issues stem from in predictive policing and which may perpetuate racial and socioeconomic disparities (COMPAS)
- Ensuring equal treatment and due process for all individuals is crucial
- Legal challenges include admissibility of digital evidence in court, establishing authenticity and chain of custody
- protections against unreasonable searches and seizures require defining reasonable expectations of privacy in the digital age
Effectiveness of technology-based interventions
- Predictive policing has the potential to proactively prevent crimes but raises concerns about accuracy and potential for over-policing certain communities
- Surveillance systems act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and improve investigation and evidence gathering capabilities
- Electronic monitoring reduces recidivism rates for offenders on parole or probation serving as a cost-effective alternative to incarceration
- strategies like and other data analysis tools help identify crime patterns and allocate resources effectively enabling evidence-based decision making for policy and resource allocation
Unintended consequences of justice technology
- Overreliance on technology can reduce human discretion and judgment in decision making leading to potential for and uncritical acceptance of technology outputs
- Widening the net of social control through increased surveillance and monitoring of individuals, particularly affecting marginalized communities, risks criminalizing non-criminal behaviors
- occurs as criminals adapt to and exploit new technologies like encryption, darknet markets, and other counter-measures requiring constant law enforcement adaptation
- happens when offenders shift to less monitored areas or methods, adapting to circumvent technology-based interventions, necessitating comprehensive, multi-faceted crime prevention strategies
Key Terms to Review (16)
Algorithmic bias: Algorithmic bias refers to systematic and unfair discrimination that results from the design and application of algorithms, often leading to unjust outcomes in decision-making processes. This bias can manifest in various ways, particularly in emerging technologies used in crime and criminal justice, where algorithms may unintentionally favor certain groups over others based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status, creating significant ethical and legal implications.
Automation bias: Automation bias is the tendency for individuals to over-rely on automated systems or technologies, which can lead to errors in decision-making and judgment. This concept highlights how, in contexts like crime and criminal justice, professionals might trust technology too much, overlooking their own critical thinking and intuition. It becomes particularly relevant as emerging technologies become more integrated into law enforcement and criminal justice practices, potentially influencing outcomes based on how users interact with these systems.
Biometric identification: Biometric identification is the process of recognizing individuals based on their unique biological traits, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, iris patterns, or voiceprints. This technology has gained traction in various sectors, including law enforcement and security, as it provides a reliable and efficient method for identifying and verifying individuals without relying on traditional identification methods like passwords or ID cards.
CompStat: CompStat is a performance management system used by police departments to analyze crime data and enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies. It utilizes a data-driven approach to identify crime patterns, allocate resources efficiently, and hold personnel accountable for crime reduction efforts. This innovative tool is instrumental in modern policing, particularly in utilizing emerging technologies to address crime and improve public safety.
Crime prevention technologies: Crime prevention technologies refer to a range of tools and systems designed to deter, detect, or respond to criminal activity. These technologies can include surveillance cameras, alarm systems, predictive policing software, and smart city infrastructure. By integrating advanced technological solutions into law enforcement and community safety initiatives, crime prevention technologies aim to enhance public safety and reduce crime rates.
Data-driven policing: Data-driven policing refers to the practice of using data analysis and statistical techniques to inform law enforcement strategies and operations. This approach relies on collecting and analyzing crime data, social trends, and other relevant information to identify patterns, predict future crimes, and allocate resources more effectively. By harnessing technology and analytics, data-driven policing aims to enhance public safety and improve the efficiency of police departments.
Digital forensics: Digital forensics is the scientific process of collecting, preserving, analyzing, and presenting electronic evidence in a way that is legally acceptable. This field plays a crucial role in investigating cybercrimes and identity theft, as it enables law enforcement to uncover and interpret data from devices such as computers, smartphones, and networks. By utilizing specialized tools and techniques, digital forensics helps establish facts and provides insights into the methods used by cybercriminals.
Displacement of Crime: Displacement of crime refers to the phenomenon where criminal activity shifts from one location, time, or type of crime to another in response to law enforcement efforts or environmental changes. This concept highlights the adaptability of criminals as they seek to avoid detection or capture, often resulting in a redistribution of crime rather than an overall reduction. Understanding this dynamic is essential in the context of emerging technologies in crime and criminal justice, as new tools and methods can both hinder and facilitate criminal behavior.
Fourth Amendment: The Fourth Amendment is a part of the United States Constitution that protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. It requires law enforcement to have probable cause and, in most cases, obtain a warrant before conducting searches or seizing property. This amendment establishes a legal framework that balances individual privacy rights against the needs of law enforcement, especially in the context of emerging technologies.
Predictive policing: Predictive policing is a data-driven approach to law enforcement that uses algorithms and statistical analysis to forecast where crimes are likely to occur and who might commit them. This method aims to optimize resource allocation and enhance crime prevention efforts by identifying patterns and trends in criminal behavior. By leveraging historical crime data, socio-economic factors, and real-time information, predictive policing seeks to enable law enforcement agencies to be proactive rather than reactive in their policing strategies.
Privacy concerns: Privacy concerns refer to the apprehensions and issues related to the collection, storage, and use of personal information by individuals or organizations. In the context of emerging technologies in crime and criminal justice, privacy concerns often arise due to advancements like surveillance systems, data mining, and biometric technologies, which can infringe on individuals' rights to control their own personal information and maintain confidentiality.
Risk assessment tools: Risk assessment tools are systematic methods used to evaluate the likelihood of an individual committing a crime or reoffending. These tools often employ algorithms and data analysis to provide a quantitative measure of risk, which can assist law enforcement and criminal justice professionals in making informed decisions regarding intervention, sentencing, and resource allocation. Their application has become increasingly relevant with the rise of emerging technologies in crime prevention and criminal justice.
Social control: Social control refers to the mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that societies use to regulate individual behavior and maintain social order. This concept encompasses both formal systems, such as laws and law enforcement, and informal systems, such as social norms and expectations. The effectiveness of social control can be influenced by emerging technologies, which can both aid in monitoring behaviors and pose challenges to traditional methods of enforcement.
Surveillance systems: Surveillance systems refer to technological tools and processes used to monitor and collect information about individuals, groups, or environments. These systems play a crucial role in crime prevention and investigation by enabling law enforcement and security agencies to gather evidence, track criminal activities, and enhance public safety through real-time monitoring. They can include closed-circuit television (CCTV), drones, biometric systems, and data analytics platforms that analyze patterns and behaviors.
Technological Arms Race: A technological arms race refers to the competition between entities, such as nations or organizations, to develop and acquire advanced technologies for military and security purposes. This race can lead to rapid advancements in technology, as each party strives to outpace the other, often resulting in innovative tools for both crime and law enforcement. The implications of this race can significantly shape crime trends and the effectiveness of criminal justice systems.
Telemedicine in prisons: Telemedicine in prisons refers to the use of technology to provide medical care and consultation to incarcerated individuals without the need for them to be physically transported to healthcare facilities. This approach leverages video conferencing, electronic health records, and other digital tools to enhance access to medical services for inmates, improving their overall health outcomes and reducing security risks associated with transporting them outside the facility.