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SCIENCE AND CRIME - ENGINEERS CLAIM A ROSY OUTLOOK, BUT POLICE AREN'T SURE

NCJ Number
13914
Journal
Science Volume: 184 Issue: 4139 Dated: (MAY 24, 1974) Pages: 878-881
Author(s)
D SHAPLEY
Date Published
1974
Length
4 pages
Annotation
REPORT OF CARNAHAN CONFERENCES SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, WHICH INDICATES SOME NEW POLICE TECHNOLOGY AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR POINTS OUT DEVELOPMENTS IN PROPERTY, BUILDING AND ROOM SECURITY SYSTEMS AND IN IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS. HE CONTENDS THAT THESE DEVICES, DEVELOPED ORIGINALLY FOR MILITARY USE, SHOW THE HEAVY INFLUENCE THIS RESEARCH HAS ON POLICE TECHNOLOGY, AND STATES THAT THESE DEVELOPMENTS OFTEN DO NOT TRANSFER WELL TO NON-MILITARY USE. ALSO PRESENTED WERE DEVICES, SUCH AS THE AUTOMATED VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM (AVM), WHICH THE AUTHOR MAINTAINS HAVE LITTLE UTILITY FOR POLICE. ANOTHER PROBLEM SEEN AS EVIDENT AT THE CONFERENCE WAS THE MISMATCH IN DESIGN OF SYSTEMS TO THE USER'S CAPABILITIES. POLICE COMPUTER SYSTEMS WHICH SOME POLICE ARE UNABLE TO RUN EFFICIENTLY IS GIVEN AS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS. THE SETTING OF GOVERNMENT STANDARDS FOR EQUIPMENT AND NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR THE COURTROOM WERE ALSO DISCUSSED.