Criminology

Running head: CRIMINOLOGY

Criminology

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Introduction

The recent improvement in technology has not only impacted on the way people live but also has had the greatest effect on how people do their things, office work has been simplified,

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learning in schools has been made accessible and the entire education system has also been made much easier, but besides these multi sector effects much greater influence has been felt in the fight against crime and its related activities.

Technology and crime

The fight against crime has several aspects; these aspects start from ways of preventing crime, ways of nailing criminals, gathering evidence to prosecute these criminals and finally hoe to keep these criminals in jail and ways to monitor them. This outline describes the entire cycle of police work as far as their duties are concerned in overseeing security, within our environs and the entire society.

To ease this process and at the same time make it effective much research has been undertaken to improve the existing knowledge on crime deterrence, apprehension, and the surveillance processes all which fall within the crime study. Besides research on improving the status of the current equipments emphasis has also been given in coming up with new better and efficient tools and equipment to help in the fight against crime. This is the bases of this study as one seeks to look at the various available methods and equipments available to fight crime brought about by technological advancements and how they have influenced the fight against crime and the prospects of the same in future fight against crime. (Matthew 2006).

Presently we can bear witness of the great strides that have been evident due to technology, its now possible to track crimes such as abduction through 3G phones, thus those for technology are making a very sound point that it is the only way to stop crime growth in the current times, a case for this is well illustrated by a look at the Personal Tech Devices as was on display in Las Vegas three years ago thought as one of the best technology displays of fight against crime on display were digital cameras, video cell phones as a way to curb crime, such are the subjects of this study of which discussion will follow later on.

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To start of the study will be the evaluation of the equipments that have been available to aid in crime fight after which we examine the improved equipments and the various available means to improve them. (Douglas 2000).

Among these equipments are Arturito, the crime solving robot, Laser scanner, Remote desktop, Mii channel, 3 G phones, RFID implants Techniques include geographic profiling, Google earth.

3G Phones

This is definition of a third generation phone with distinct capabilities in terms of technology, it is inclusive of GSM, CDMA2000 and Wimax, it offers various services such as video calls and transmission of wireless data it allows users to be connected to a wide area network which improves the coverage area.

The tracking of the waves sent from these phones are used to track criminals that may have these phones this is mainly successful in catching criminals especially abductors who frequently communicate with the children’s parents demanding for lump sums. Other ways that the 3G phones and other GPS enabled phones have been helpful is in tracing hi jacked cars or distressed drivers; the only requirement is that the phone must have a live battery to help transmit the speed dial numbers.

RFID

This is the short form of the words Radio-frequency identification, this technique requires the use of an additional equipment referred to as a RFID tag, this tag is ingrained in the subject and

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is used for identification purposes, his is made possible as the tag transmits radio waves which are recognisable by an additional gadget usually outside the body and which is used as a reader for the tag.

Components of the RFID

The common RFID have two parts one of which is a circuit which is integrated, this part is used as storage for information as well as processing of the same additionally it acts as a demodulator/modulator.

The second part of the RFID is an antenna which helps capture the frequencies sent from the circuit and devolve them.

Types of RFID’S

There exist around three types of RFID’s but which are recognisable only through their power source through the transmission distance maybe used to identify them, it is however important to note that the extent of transmission is often dependent on the power available to cater for the same.(Douglas 2000).

The first type is the passive tag this has no battery connected in it and thus has to have one connected externally to enable transmission of signals.

The second type is the passive –BAP this just like the passive it has no internal energy source

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but has a quite inherent energy retention which allows it to have longer broadcast ranges what is unique about this is that it just requires energy to start transmitting the signals and then it can operate without energy source for a while.

The last type is the active tag this has an energy source attached to it and continuously transmits signals and with no external connection which differentiates it from the others.

Depending on the type of the tag the distance of transmission for these radio waves will vary this causes a variance in effectiveness of using this particular device.

In crime prevention this maybe ingrained in a criminal who is set free to help track other criminals as he is bound to meet or make any kind of communication, this is especially so with gangs where one is caught and the others escape and remain at large.

The other use of the tag is with frequenters of a particular social or business venue this is implanted in them to end signals to help monitor their movements for security purposes.

The last use of the tag is in securing kids especially with the increased cases of abducting this is ingrained in the child’s skin to help track them and ensure they are always safe and within vicinity of the people deployed to ensure their security. Thus this is another way that helps curb insecurity by monitoring individuals who may be prone to criminal attacks or to track other criminals who may help in apprehension of others. (Matthew 2009).

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Robot Artuiro

Though controversial it is said to have successfully helped reduce the crime rates in Chile this is per the Chilean police releases in the year 2006. This particular instrument was invented by the Wagner technologies though after some documented results of the success the ownership became a mystery as others came in to claim they had made the machine. However this is not the main interest in crime study and especially curbing the same, it is said the robot has the ability to discover hidden guns about fifteen metres fifteen meters below the ground surface this would be such a successful attempt to help curb crime by capturing guns which are used to perpetrate crimes within the states.

Laser scanner

This helps track drunken drivers by analysing the driving consistence, this involves a drivers examination on his driving over a considerable distance just as is general knowledge drunken drivers do not have a consistent driving style this is what is detected by the laser scanner and is analysed by the officers on duty.

What this offers beyond other equipments is the proximity and accuracy of driving trends which helps detect even the slightest cases of stray driving mainly caused by drunken d riving.

This helps reduce drunken related cases also it is a way to identify over speeding cases which are a common phenomena with criminals, though it is not an exclusive way in crime deterrence or prevention unlike other available methods but still is commendable.

Techniques

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Geographical profiling

This is another technology enabled method which is used to locate particular areas that criminals are thought to be this helps come up with specific areas that criminals are searched saving both resources and increasing t he chances of apprehending the criminals. This is quite helpful though it needs another method to help realise its extent of support.

Google earth

This is similar to the geographical profiling and works almost the same way the only difference being the extent with goggle earth the area covered is larger thus useful in tracing criminals who are escaping in a fast moving object such as a plane or something even faster. That is able to cover a higher area within a unit of time. (Douglas 2006).

Bullet proof t- shirts and equipment

This involves equipments such as armoured vehicles which help confront armed criminals and yet secure the police officers, with time there have been cars that are able to barricade long and heavy trucks including armoured ones, this again is a measure enabled by technology and helps fight crime within our states as it facilitates apprehension of criminals and in turn securing the nation.

Technology and understanding of crime

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Technology has really helped most of the people who had no idea of the extent of crime or even how the same can be avoided or curtailed. This is because traditionally this has been a role only left to the police whom the residents assumed have the overall duty of securing them and their property.

How has this changed?

Most individuals used to generally neglect their role in averting criminals this is until they so that their areas of residence had been “invaded” with surveillance cam eras they were now supposed to be searched when entering certain areas and such other cases. It is at this point that the people realised the need to fight crime, this was further stressed by broadcasting of certain issue s on crime including how to act under such circumstances and how to handle criminal is all this was due to the technology inventions that came with time.

Implications

Identity

Technology has un questionably had an impact on identity it has improved this such as the case with the earlier discussed equipments such as 3G phones which have helped identify individuals as these phones as an example have distinct signals that help identify an individual, his is undoubtedly been one of the ways this has been improved.(Douglas 2006).

The other way is through the RFID’s which give a different signal to each individual this again improves identity.

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Thus through these very few illustrations its fair to conclude that technology applied in the fight against crime has helped improve identity of not only those who fail to follow the law but also identifying those who need to be protected all this is in pursuit of a crime free society, which in agreement is slowly being achieved through technology.

Privacy

This is one thing again that has totally failed in the light of fight against crime, this is because individuals who need to be secured have either to do away with the privacy issue or the security issue, that is it becomes more of an “opportunity cost” this is because to be kept secure one has to be constantly monitored.

An example is use of surveillance cameras which monitor the active ties of a residence with the aim of curbing crime or these individuals they either have to have the cameras removed or have them stay on to help secure their areas of residence or whatever places that these cameras are positioned.

Thus privacy is one thing that has totally been faced out in the pursuit of crime free society for the reasons highlighted above. (Matthew 2009).

Conclusion

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Technology has certainly improved the status of society in general this has not been any different when it comes to crime matters and just as the discussion has shown considerable ground has been covered in fighting and curbing crime through technology. The awareness of the society to has been enormous all thanks to technology and even though this has come with certain demerits such as loss of privacy in some cases the advantages can never be looked d own and we actually ought to appreciate whatever impact that has been achieved though technology in fight against crime.

References

Douglas J and Olshakel M (2000).The anatomy of motive. The FBI legendary 1st Edition,

Pocket publisher

Matthew, R and Marian, W (2009). The Myth of a Fair Criminal System. Routledge publishers.

Matthew, W (2006)

Crime, Deviance and Regulation Online. Routledge publishers.

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