Technonology Changes

Technology has changed so much in the last century and when it comes to police or investigating it couldn't be better. With the increase technology we as the citizens are safer and crimes that are committed are more able to be solved by using the new technologies. Two of the newer or updated technologies I decided to write about that police use are biometrics and DNA profiling.

Biometrics is an automated method recognizing a person on the basis of a physiological or behavioral characteristic (Siegel, 2011). A biometric technology provides new kinds of digital identity data and new opportunities for its use. Police have used biometrics for more than a century with fingerprint identification however how with technology improving police can now use computer systems to use voice, retina, facial features and handwriting identifications. Security and public safety were improved by these early efforts to use biometric data, and the advent of digital technologies opens new possibilities to improve identity management today. Biometrics technologies provide valuable tools for homeland security, public safety, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement. However, government use of biometric data takes place in a complex legal environment that affects both U.S. and non-U.S. persons (www.csis.org).

DNA is the makeup of who you are and can be used to prove your identity; it can be your finger prints, hair, spit, teeth and also found in blood, urine and semen. DNA can be your finger prints, teeth and also found in blood, urine and semen. DNA Profiling is the identification of criminal suspects by matching DNA samples taken from their person with specimens found at the crime scene (Siegel, 2011). Forensic scientists can help investigators examine crime scenes, and collect evidence that contains genetic material which can be used to create a DNA profile which will assist investigators with their case by proving that the suspect was present at a crime scene. DNA Fingerprinting or profiling in conjunction with other evidence can assure that the accused person will receive the correct punishment. DNA evidence is now used in criminal trials that go to court in more than 20 states (Siegel, 2011)