Technology has managed to integrate itself into almost everything we do. We use technology to run our businesses, communicate with people both near and far, and search for helpful information. However, criminals have also caught wind of the various advantages of technology and are using it to perpetuate their devious crimes. Fortunately, police departments in the 21st Century are not shying off from using modern technology to fight crime and maintain law and order. Here are some of the technologies that help police fight crime.
Artificial intelligence
Internet users worldwide generate data through their social media profiles and web searches. When collected by law enforcement agencies, much of this data can prove helpful in solving crimes and catching the bad guys. However, gathering and combing through thousands of photos and hours of footage can be pretty time-consuming. Therefore, law enforcement agencies have used artificial intelligence to perform crime mapping, facial recognition, and crime forecasting.
Facial recognition
When the police obtain footage of a crime, they can use facial-recognition software to identify the criminal and begin a chase to bring them to justice. At first, the public was afraid that the police would use facial recognition to track anybody without permission. Fortunately, the police have used this effective tool to better the lives of its citizens.
Thermal imaging
It is pretty easy to analyze surveillance footage and identify perpetrators of crimes in broad daylight. However, some of these cameras are not helpful in dark conditions. The invention of thermal image cameras can help the police track the movement of criminals in a dark room. These cameras use infrared imaging to draw a heat map of the environment in question and detect the heat emitted from animals or human beings.
Digital forensics tools
The advancements in technology have caused a spike in cybercrime globally. These criminals hide behind their screens and take advantage of their anonymity to get away with devious crimes. Fortunately, an excellent digital forensics tool can help police extract data from a damaged device, encrypt inaccessible data and use the evidence to bring criminals to justice.
Video doorbells
Numerous homeowners across the country install video doorbells to enhance the safety of their homes and give them peace of mind. However, this technology has proven helpful to law enforcement agencies who use the footage from the doorbells to identify criminals and analyze the level of activity on the street. One research found that police departments in the US made over 20,000 requests to obtain video footage recorded by these doorbell cams last year.
License plate recognition
Toll collectors use automatic license plate recognition to scan your number plate and charge you a fee. Police departments today use this technology to catch up with criminals on amber alerts or identify stolen cars. Law enforcement has also gone a step further to combine ALPR with AI to provide a more consistent and reliable way to identify number plates on vehicles.
Final remarks
Innovative law enforcement agencies understand that being behind in their technology gives criminals a leeway to commit crimes undetected. Each of these technologies discussed above has its pros and cons. Police departments and agency executives need to consider each option carefully to make the best investment that will benefit the police force and the public.
