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Maria Carrillo

Professor Mark Vincent

Criminal justice 1010

9, December 2015

It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity. - Albert

Einstein

Criminal justice is a large system with many smaller divisions and levels of work.

Everyday there is some kind of predicament happening, even behind closed doors. Laws are

broken thus justice will be enforced, but what about situations that are made in hiding behind a

electronic screen? How about situations that require more than what a man is capable of? The

world is evolving, to live humans we evolve along with it as well. Technology being one of

mankind's greatest inventions, it has been become part of everyday life. This technology is

changing, improving to what our needs are. The object in question could be good or bad. How

did technology impact on the criminal justice system?

In the past the world was simple, technology in criminal justice was limited. Internet

predators didnt exist for the reason that the internet was limited. Along with internet fraud,

plagiarism, etc. Instead technology was uncomplicated, used for simple tasks. The problematic
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situations weren't as major or violent as ones we witness today. So police officials would carry

only a few tools for example Gun, nightstick etc. Preventing crime was presenting no difficulty

as well, there was a time called the Political era. During this time between 1840-1920 because of

the reciprocal duties of police and politicians. Criminal justice technology was made from ideas,

those ideas came from people. An important inventor was August Vollmer, he established

polygraph, fingerprint, and handwriting systems for categorizing. As the years go by more ideas

are formed, thus the creation of new technology.

"Technology gives us power, but it does not and cannot tell us how to use that power. Thanks to

technology, we can instantly communicate across the world, but it still doesn't help us know what

to say." - Jonathan Sacks

This era is modernized to the point of technology has become intermingled with everyday

life. The past, present and future has and will continue to present trial and error. As humans we

learned and grow from mistakes. Criminal justice technology is one of many examples, more

complications occur both physically and digitally. The internet in the 21st century has

significantly improved, one can do multiple tasks and access anything all around the world. Also

new technology is used in real life situations. Criminal justice technology is broken apart into

two main large groups, there is HARD technology and SOFT technology. HARD technology is

made up of new devices of material, equipment that is used to commit a crime or prevent a

crime, but is mostly intended to prevent crime. SOFT technology uses information strategies to

prevent a crime.
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"I therefore believe that our system does not have a word for failed trial, and that is where the

American public does not realize that our criminal justice system sometimes makes mistakes."-

Sam Shepard

There is a large span of different technologies used in criminal justice. Not all technology

is as important as other technology. Hard technology is crime prevention for example police use

equipment that could be used in real life situations. Commonly used and known is cars, weapons,

computers, mobile data centers, video cameras in patrol cars etc. Soft technology is valued in

criminal justice as well, it consists of important information. There is criminal history, info

sharing, amber alerts, profiling etc. Resources and communication is vital in the criminal justice.

No one should ever be wrongfully deprived of their rights to liberty and freedom without just

cause, yet in the past 25 years alone thousands of people have been wrongfully convicted and

sentenced to tens of thousands of years in prison. - Bernard B Kerik

The ideas of new inventions help technology improve and change, creating better tech

than before. This new technology can have a positive effect but could also pose a problem.

Depending on ones opinion and ideas of how the system works, everyone has something

different to say. An example could be saftey, the technology that is used for protection and

security can also have negative effects. It can invade privacy, and personal freedom. The use of

the technology should be used properly to prevent distraught amongst the "protected". The idea

of improved technology should be presented to the open minded. Also should be presented

clearly to prevent confusion, this might cause intimidation.

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There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack

down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so

many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. -

Ayn Rand

In conclusion the use of technology in criminal justice has both the benefits of positive

and negative effects. All divisions use this to be efficient and organized. Hard and soft

technology consisting of equipment used by these divisions will change and improve. That is

how the world works. We adapt and evolve so does our technology. Never the less some dont

want to change, also disagree to the idea of technology intermingling into our life. Opinions

should be listened it aids in the development for new material. Comparing the past to the present

technology has had a positive effect to criminal justice and to life in general. It makes things

more efficient and organized. Even if there is some problems, humankind can only do so much.
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Bibliography

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins161262.html#uwrV152YJbMjprPI.99

https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/238011.pdf

http://www.police-technology.net/id59.html