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High-Tech Advances Bring New Tools

NCJ Number
172966
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 21 Issue: 10 Dated: October 1997 Pages: 60-63
Author(s)
F Campbell
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The changes in technology in the last 20 years have been more profound than in any previous time in recent history and have affected law enforcement, because both police and criminals are using advanced technology.
Abstract
The police department of West Valley, Utah, recently installed fingerprint scanning equipment into police cars so that police officers would have immediate access to computerized fingerprint databases. The Michigan State Police plan to install digital data encryption technology to replace their radio network. Biometric equipment that scans irises and voiceprints is under development as well. Computers and computerized databases have also had major impacts on police work. Police also search hard disks for evidence of criminal activity; in Austin, Tex., they spend much time investigating theft of computer chips from the computer-related industries based there. Photographs