Thanks to recent technology, police can recognize and catch criminals quicker than before. Did you know that some innovations can alert police to locations where a crime is about to take place? Learn about six new forms of police technology deterring criminals from repeating crimes.
Fingerprint Scanners Give Instant Recognition
Image via Flickr by West Midlands Police
Officers don’t need ink for fingerprinting anymore. Handheld scanners do the job and, at the same time, can access a suspect’s criminal history. This versatility saves time during bookings and reduces the risks of arresting the wrong person.
Ways to fingerprint the brain also exist. Scans can show a suspect’s brain reactions to questions, letting police know if a person remembers an item or situation. This technology can help confirm or eliminate a suspect’s involvement in a crime.
Drones Keep Watch From Above
Sometimes, police officers don’t see the crime, but drones show police what is taking place when officers aren’t present. Unmanned drones fly the skies and give real-time information to dispatchers. These flying cameras help find lost children and help officers arrive at crimes scenes quicker, sometimes while the action is happening. Plus, drones capture images for evidence in court proceedings.
Facial Recognition Software Makes Suspects Easier to Spot
In addition to instant fingerprints, new facial recognition software allows police to spot criminals quickly. A design by Google Glass fits patrol officers with special glasses. When police officers issue bulletins to find people, these glasses can recognize suspects. The glasses also pick up on offenders with outstanding warrants.
Crime Reporting Takes Place in Real Time
A new type of GDS (global distribution system) can tell where a gunshot took place, for example. This type of system tells officers information about where and how many shots went off and is especially helpful when no witnesses are present.
Data then goes to patrol car computers and gives officers maps and analytical tools. The tools can tell police officials if parolees or people on probation live nearby. Police officers can also use the system to help predict when a crime is about to happen. In one instance, this system helped stop a gang war by showing escalating gunfire in a neighborhood. The equipment can also record license plates to find potential suspects.
James Bond Tech Tracks Criminals
The futuristic StarChase Pursuit Management System mounts on the front of an officer’s vehicle and fires a tracking dart at a suspect’s vehicle. The dart attaches to a suspect’s car with magnets and special glue and holds a GPS tracker. Officers can pick up on where the car goes without a high-speed chase. While the device is still in the testing phase, about 40 of the specialized dart guns are helping police departments nationwide.
Social Media Reveals Crime
Social media is new to policing, and many police departments use it to spread information about crimes and suspects. Many times, police get information or receive tips through social media that help prevent a crime from happening. Plus, police check these online platforms to see what people post about criminal pursuits. In fact, criminals have posted videos of their crimes, often leading police directly to them.
Technology helps many police departments throughout the country to predict and respond to crime quickly. Even though you don’t notice a police officer, it doesn’t mean they aren’t watching you.
