Product Description

For much of the mid-twentieth century, police departments had been reluctant to embrace new technology. Then, in 1985, detectives in Los Angeles found themselves stymied in their attempts to catch the Night Stalker, an infamous serial murderer and rapist who had gone on a deadly rampage for months. Finally, in desperation, they decided to do something different: use what was then the latest, cutting edge-technology, the laser print finder. It worked perfectly, and the police arrested the Night Stalker the next day. Police departments suddenly began clamouring to obtain all kinds of new technology to assist them in solving crimes. This rush to embrace the latest technology has not slowed in the intervening years. This book takes readers through every major branch of law enforcement and shows how technology has radically changed police department operations during the last two decades. It will also show how these changes continue today as technology advances and refines techniques already in practice. Beginning with the Night Stalker case, the author illustrates how the use and reliance on new technologies in solving crimes has made policing and detective work more accurate and efficient in capturing and convicting criminals, and in identifying the innocent. This book illuminates the behind-the-scenes technologies that go into solving crimes and keeping dangerous criminals off the street. The author covers DNA and fingerprint technologies, vehicle technologies, undercover work, bomb detection, and other methods. Using many real life examples and first hand anecdotes, he shows how technology has become part and parcel of criminal justice efforts to solve crimes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1324738 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.05 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 188 pages

Review

"Advances in technology have provided assistance to society in numerous ways. The same is true in the field of law enforcement. Snow provides an overview of police-related technological advances in a concise yet descriptive and interesting manner that includes real-life examples and firsthand anecdotes....the author addresses modern-day police technology beginning with academy training and progressing through police vehicles, dispatch, uniformed officers, and detectives. He also discusses modern-day SWAT and bomb squads, lie detection, fingerprinting, DNA, and the wide-scale use of computers. Snow concludes by praising the importance of technology in policing while also suggesting that great care must be taken to avoid abuse and infringements to constitutional rights. In summary, while the passing of time may diminish this work's value, given the constant advances in technology, at present it is a good addition to libraries needing an overview of current technology in law enforcemen

About the Author
Robert L. Snow is Commander of the Homicide Branch in the Indianapolis Police Department. He is also the author of many books for Praeger, as well articles in Reader's Digest, Playboy, National Enquirer, The Writer, and The Saint Detective Magazine.