Research Paper on Future of Policing

Introduction

The policing sector has experienced great changes over the years brought mainly by the changes in technology and knowledge in the world. The changes in technology have changed the nature of crime thus sparking the need for change in policing especially with regards to criminal investigation and law enforcement process. Trends such as the use of wearable technologies and forensic in policing are considered to be some of the most important trends that bring a great revolution in the policing department.

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Discussion of the Trends

The current trends in wearable technologies that would help change the policing department may seem like science fiction to most people in the current society. Wearable technologies involve computer gadgets that are designed to be worn either on the ears or eyes with the intention of monitoring crime scenes or observing various crime data for finer details (Healey & Stephens, 2017). The cameras used in these technologies have improvised means of advanced recognition technologies that detect sound and objects that are used in crime investigations.

On the other hand, forensic technologies have brought great revelations in crime investigations through use of scientific methodologies that help to investigate crimes (Howes & Kemp, 2017). Forensic science uses physical clues collected at the crime science to develop possible theories that give clues towards the perpetrators of crime. The scientific laboratory is used to give a possible explanation with regards to what happens when the crime occurred (Lee et al., 2016). This helps to construct images of the people who were involved, the time the crime took place and the possible tools used to commit a crime (Howes & Kemp, 2017).

Use of Technology in Forensic Science and Wearable Technologies

The use of forensic science and wearable technologies presents the best use technology in the department of police. Forensic science uses collected physical evidence to help in solving crimes (Howes & Kemp, 2017). The investigation of these physical evidence requires the use of technology and modern scientific knowledge. For instance, modern detection techniques are used on evidence collected in crime scene involving rape to determine whether the collected physical samples are actually biological (Howes & Kemp, 2017). The major use of modern technology in forensic science involves the process of identification of criminals. This would require the use of biological samples to identify the genetic make-up of the individuals involved in the crime. Thereafter, the DNA of the evidence collected would be compared with those of the suspects using computerized identification techniques (Howes & Kemp, 2017).

The DNA technology is considered to be the most important technology in forensics. DNA technology mainly involves DNA sequencing and automated fingerprinting identification (Howes & Kemp, 2017). These technologies are used for identifying criminals and victims involves in a crime scene. The identification process is important to avoid mistakes of identity and contrasting information thus providing more substantial pieces of evidence to be used in the courts. The other important technology used in forensics is known as the link analysis software that helps to show the association between persons and objects involved in the crime (Howes & Kemp, 2017). The software is able to show the association between financial activities and crimes thus able to solve crimes that require huge funding like terror activities. This means that forensic technology is helpful in solving crimes either at the local level internationally. The forensic technology relies mostly on computerized systems and current advancements involves the use of the current generations computer systems and software to crack even the hardest o the crimes and present substantial lead or evidence in these crimes (Howes & Kemp, 2017). Therefore, it is not possible to overlook the contribution of forensic technology in the process of realization of the safe world in the policing systems.

The wearables technologies also present some of the latest technology of the modern world (Lee et al., 2016). Most people think some of the technologies used in wearable technology are science fictions yet they are actual reality. The Taser Axon wearable video camera is an example of technology used in the trend that helps the policing sector (Lee et al., 2016). This video camera can be worn as an eyewear or collar, helmet or even as ball cap by the police officer. This makes it difficult to detect and they are useful in offering pre-event video capture. The best thing about this camera is the long-life of the batteries used and the ability to have a clear view under low light. The video captured have systems that can store them remotely thus on the TASER systems thus viewed by persons with permissions only. The use of this wearable devices helps to keep track of all the police officers thus ensuring their safety especially when they are sent on dangerous missions (Lee et al., 2016). Additionally, they may help to collect useful pieces of evidence since the camera has a wide field of view.

The field communications in policing have also been impacted greatly by wearable technology offered by the Samsung galaxy wear (Healey & Stephens, 2017). These are devices that monitor officer when they receive calls and messages. Latest developments are able to monitor heartbeats and breathing rates and giving signals in case of medical conditions related to the heart rate. The addition of cameras to these devices makes the work of the officers much easier when they are in the field following a lead or even when attacked. The camera users are able to give positive recognition of faces.

Involvement of the Trends in the Future of Policing

Forensic science and wearable technology would bring great changes and revolution in the policing department in the near future (Ribaux et al., 2016). This is because they are involved in the identification of the victims and criminals and making the operations of the police officers much easier than it has been in the past. Howes and Kemp (2017) state that the identification of criminals is a difficult process in the policing department and this explains the great importance of forensic science in the future of policing. Complains about cases in which the wrongs persons were convicted for various crimes can only be reduced through the use of current technology in the advancement of forensic science.

The focus of forensic science is the detection of criminal activities before their actual occurrences (Howes & Kemp, 2017). With the recent revelations in forensic science, this idea that seems more like science fiction is a possibility that would change the focus of the policing systems from solving crimes to detecting crimes prior to their occurrence. This process would be useful in making the world safer for people. The realization of this great step involves the study of people's personality and characters. Analysis of their behaviors and decisions would help predict when certain people would want to commit suicide or even robbery (Howes & Kemp, 2017). The forensic team uses software with a database that contains details of people, their personality, hobbies and even list of friends and relatives. The greatest challenge of this revolutionary process would be the identification of the people to keenly monitor for the possibility of crimes since some people would consider this an infringement of their privacy.

Additionally, increasing the safety of the police officers in the law enforcement process is an important process for the policing process (Healey & Stephens, 2017). The wearable technologies help to ensure that the police officers work in better conditions in the future so as to improve their working conditions and improve the outcome of their involvement in solving crimes. The wearable technology would be important in detecting any anomalies in the crime scenes thus serving the roles played by the police officers (Healey & Stephens, 2017). The cameras in the wearable gadgets would be able to collect pieces of evidence that may not be easy to see through the naked eyes. This means that these gadgets would be adding great value to the work done by the law enforcement officers in solving crimes.

Incorporation of facial identification software would help the wearable technology in the identification of people in the crowds (Healey & Stephens, 2017). Incorporation crowdsourcing programs would help in improving the quality of the results given by the software while in the field. Moreover, this software would be linked with other criminal investigations equipment such as forensic technology. Adding other technology to the use of wearable technology would make the most useful and effective. Solving crimes would be real time and the process of collecting pieces of evidence would be quick and efficient translating to a quick solution to various cases (Healey & Stephens, 2017).

Pros and Cons of the Technological Trends

The wearable technology would have advantages such as allowing real-time monitoring of the health status of the law enforcement officers (Healey & Stephens, 2017). This ensures that the officers in the field are fit to work and in case of any problems they would seek medication instantly. Moreover, the devices are portable and hands-free thus no need to keep them in the pocket ensuring safety since the users can always access them with ease (Healey & Stephens, 2017). The other advantage of wearable technology is the fact that they can be used to track activities even as they transmit to other smart devices thus losing the device does not lead to loss of the collected information. Additionally, Healey and Stephens (2017) claim that the wearable technology reduces the chances of inconsistency practice thus ensuring that all the law enforcement personnel adhere to the ethics and ethos of their work. The major disadvantage of wearable devices is the fact that their battery life cannot go beyond 12 hours (Healey & Stephens, 2017). This means that in cases of longer operations there would need to carry extra batteries or extra gadgets. The change of the battery interferes with the tracking process. Additionally, the wearable technology has the disadvantage of making an inaccurate measurement in some cases or transmission of the wrong data in certain cases.

On the other hand, one of the advantages of using forensic science includes exonerating the innocent persons through the use of the DNA results (Ribaux et al., 2016). Additionally, the use of forensic science in policing helps in the process of identifying victims such as those involved in fire outbreaks and in other criminal activities (Ribaux et al., 2016). Moreover, forensic science help to reduce inconsistency of the activities of police operations thus ensuring proper investigation and solution to crimes. Ribaux et al. (2016) state that the great disadvantage of forensic science in policing is the issue of infringement of privacy especially in the process of collecting biological samples.

Referencing

Healey, K., & Stephens, N. (2017). Augmenting justice: Google glass, body cameras, and the politics of wearable technology. Journal of Information, Communication, and Ethics in Society, 15(4), 370-384.

Howes, L. M., & Kemp, N. (2017). Discord in the Communication of Forensic Science: Can the Science of Language Help Foster Shared Understanding?. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 36(1), 96-111.

Lee, J., Kim, D., Ryoo, H. Y., & Shin, B. S. (2016). Sustainable wearables: wearable technology for enhancing the quality of human life. Sustainability, 8(5), 466.

Ribaux, O., Crispino, F., Delemont, O., & Roux, C. (2016). The progressi...