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CHAPTER 14
TECHNOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Learning Objectives
2. Identify the various aspects of cyber crime and counterfeiting.
4. Describe developments and problems in DNA testing and new weapons technologies.
6. List some continuing questions about the effects of technology on civil liberties.
Lesson Plan
Correlated to PowerPoints
I. Technological development and criminal justice
Learning Objective 1: Describe how adaptation and belief in science can affect the use of
technology.
Technology becomes an element in the interaction, competition, and conflict between
human beings who have opposing objectives
A. Competition and adaptation
New devices designed specifically to protect property or to assist police will
generate adaptive behavior by would-be lawbreakers
These lawbreakers adjust their own behavior and invent their own devices
B. Science and the presumption of progress
What If Scenario
II. Crime and technology
Learning Objective 2: Identify the various aspects of cyber crime and counterfeiting.
As new technologies emerge, so do people who take advantage of them for their own
gain
A. Cyber Crime
See Assignments 1, 3
PPT 4
PPT 5
PPT 6
126
Identity theft is the widely recognized and common cyber threat
B. Counterfeiting
Traditionally is the production of fake currency
Counterfeiting now involves the marketing of fake prescription drugs
Illegal downloads of music and copyrighted materials is also a serious challenge
Class Discussion/Activity
Identity theft and internet fraud cases are often perpetrated by individuals
in other countries who are victimizing Americans online. Discuss ways in
which such frauds occur. How can such incidents be curbed or
eliminated?
What If Scenario
What if you were the technology expert on the local police force? What
technological issues would you look to as opportunities for crime prevention versus
those areas that you would foresee as trouble spots?
Media Tool
III. Policing and new technology
Learning Objective 3: Explain the role of communications, computers, and databases in
policing.
Learning Objective 4: Describe developments and problems in DNA testing and new weapons
technologies.
A. Police have long made use of technological developments
DNA analysis has advanced in recent years and has improved police techniques
B. Communications and computer technology
Computers in patrol vehicles has decreased total reliance on dispatchers to search
for information
C. Databases
See Assignments 2
–
3
PPT 14-
15
PPT 17-
PPT 19-
22
PPT 16
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D. DNA analysis
E. DNA database
F. Issues and problems with DNA analysis
G. Surveillance and identification
Police use surveillance cameras in many ways
Some major cities place surveillance cameras in many areas of the city to monitor
crime and activity
Dashboard cameras in patrol cars and cameras to record interrogations help to create
a true record
. Limits on technology use
Kyllo v. United States (2001) established that law enforcement cannot examine a
home with a thermal-imaging device unless they obtain a warrant
H. Weapons technology
Less lethal weapons such as pepper spray and air-fired beanbags allow police to
avoid deadly force in some situations
Taser is weapon that sends an incapacitating electric jolt.
Several people have died following use of tasers
Class Discussion/Activity
Through cable television and internet videos, most Americans have been
able to see police cruiser dashboard camera recordings and actually see for
What If Scenario
What if you wanted to expand the use of DNA in other areas of law enforcement
besides violent crime investigation? What applications of DNA do you see in
nonviolent crime and what right
s would need to be addressed?
Media Tool
members waiting to have closure for sometimes decade old cold cases? How has
PPT 29
PPT 30
PPT 23,
25-28
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IV. Technology in courts and corrections
Learning Objective 5: Name the uses of technology in courts and corrections.
A. Courts
Technology has improved efficiency and effectiveness in most courthouses
Electronic file management computerizes court records to make documents easily
Problems caused by technology
Some jurors have used technology to do their own research into the crime and law
B. Corrections
Correctional institutions utilize camera technology to monitor all areas of the
institution
House arrest involves the use of ankle monitors that track the location of the offender
Computerized records allows correctional institutions to share inmate information
with parole officers and other agencies
What If Scenario
What if you were the police chief of a small town where a child rape and murder
has occurred? Evidence leads to the suspect being a local. Would you want to
require a
ll members of the community submit to a DNA test? Why or why not?
Media Tool
sentenced received and how much time they have spent incarcerate
d. Also make
See Assignments 1, 4-
5
PPT 31
PPT 32-
PPT 34-
36
129
V. Current questions and challenges for the future
Learning Objective 6: List some continuing questions about the effects of technology on civil
liberties.
What impact does technology have on civil rights and liberties of individual
Americans?
How often is incorrect information entered into a database?
Have new technologies been effective in preventing crime and catching criminals?
Are the costs of technology justified?
Class Discussion/Activity
It is quite easy to discuss the many positive benefits of using technology in
Class Discussion/Activity
Should a man who frequently watches pornography on this home
computer and frequently visits sex chat rooms for money be charged with
prostitution? Does it matter if he is operating out of his home? What if he
were bringing real prostitutes home? Is there protection when criminal
activity is based behind clothes doors? Do we have a higher expectation
of privacy in our houses?
Media Tool
See Assignment 5
Lecture Notes
Technology pervades all areas of modern society. Criminal justice is no exception. Our
society makes much of advances in technology, and many of the advances are clearly beneficial.
The authors make two strong points in the chapter that students should remember: (1) the
See Assignment 6
PPT 37
130
information that technology produces is only as good as the information that goes into the
databases; and (2) as criminal justice professionals make use of advances in technology, so do
criminals.
Databases and data sharing are very significant assets that technology has given to law
enforcement. National databases such as those maintained by the FBI serve as information
clearinghouses to allow instant access to information from other jurisdictions for law
enforcement agencies nationwide. For example, a police officer stops a motorist in one state,
Key Terms
CSI effect –A widely discussed but unproved belief that television dramas revolving around
in trials that rely solely on witness
DNA analysis – A scientific technique that identifies people through their distinctive gene
patterns (also called genotypic features). DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the basic component
of all chr
electronic file management – Computerization of court records, done to reduce reliance on
paper documents and make documents easily accessible to the judge and attorneys via computer.
Geographic Information System (GIS) Computer technology and software that permits law
enforcement officials to map problem locations in order to understand calls for service and the
identity theft – The theft of social security numbers, credit card numbers, and other information
in order to secure loans, withdraw bank funds, and purchase merchandise while posing as
someone else: the unsuspecting victim who will eventually lose money in these transactions. (p.
latent fingerprints – Impressions of the unique pattern of ridges on the fingertip that are left
behind on objects; these impressions are the residue of natural skin secretions or contaminating
materials such as ink, blood, or dirt that were present on the fingertips at the time of their contact
less-lethal weapons Weapons such as pepper spray and airfired beanbags or nets that are
Kyllo v. United States (2001) – Law enforcement officials cannot examine a home with a
Assignments
1. Research the topic of in-vehicle computer use by law enforcement agencies. The textbook
gives statistics through the year 2000 on the percentage of police agencies that use such
2. Most Americans know that identity theft is a growing problem, but just how prevalent is
it? Use the internet or other appropriate resources to determine how much the crimes of
identity cost Americans each year. List some of the different ways in which criminals steal
3. How prevalent is the use of technology to illegally download and share copyrighted
material such as music? Research this topic and determine the cost of illegal downloading
4. What should the purpose of less-lethal weapons be? Even though many citizens are upset
Would you guess that most deaths related to the use of less-lethal weapons are due to the
weapons themselves, or inadequate training of police? Alternatively, might one argue that
there will always be accidents even restraining a citizen without a weapon can result in
injuries if not done correctly? How can we use weapons technology to minimize injuries
5. After viewing Media Tool consider the
following questions. Should there be a national requirement to submit a DNA sample if
you are arrested? Why or why not? What if the charges are later dropped or you are found
not guilty? What constitutional rights are infringed upon in this scenario? On the same
note, how many crimes may be solved if mandatory DNA testing were enacted? Would it
6. This short report by the National Institute of Justice describes the utility of electronic
monitoring in reducing recidivism. According to the evaluation conducted in Florida,
there was a cost savings in using electronic monitoring. Go to