NCJ Number
226579
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 78 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2009 Pages: 8-14
Date Published
April 2009
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the importance for police officers to understand the relationship between people (suspects) and their technology and use that knowledge to effectively conduct an investigation.
Abstract
The computer has become ever-present in society. Today, every police department deals with digital evidence, thereby generating new challenges for law enforcement agencies in recognizing the intimate link between people and their technical equipment. Understanding what this means has important ramifications for investigators, opening up new approaches to interviews or helping establish motives. This article discusses the traditional perspective with which officers routinely view and treat the computer, a machine devoid of personality, and the alternative view considers what things mean to people, not just what they are. When conducting an investigation, officers should consider the computer as another person and use that relationship to inform their investigative strategies. Officers underestimate the degree of attachment that occurs between people and their technology. Officers can use an understanding of that emotional connection to explore motive or gain the subject’s cooperation. By considering the relationship clearly, investigators can turn difficult cases into convictions. 6 endnotes