NCJ Number
192407
Date Published
January 2002
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video describes technologies that can be used by police and
other criminal justice professionals to assist in the performance
of their jobs.
Abstract
The technologies profiled are thermal imaging, geographic
information systems, video evidence analysis, interoperability,
bullet resistant armor, and DNA evidence. For each of these
technologies, an expert provides an overview of the technology's
function, followed by a practitioner's description of how the
technology is used in the field. For thermal imaging, which
provides images of objects and persons that emit heat, the
various types of thermal imaging equipment are described,
including hand-held and vehicle-mounted thermal imagers. A law
enforcement officer describes an occasion in which thermal
imaging equipment mounted on a patrol car was used to locate a
suspect hiding in woods adjacent to the scene of a crime. Various
uses of thermal imaging equipment are listed. A computer
technician employed by a police department explains how
geographic information system software can be used for various
types of police work, including police resource allocation,
planning for special events, and analyzing geographic
distributions of various types of crime. Video evidence analysis
involves technologies that facilitate the analysis of
surveillance videotapes or the creation of videos for the
presentation of evidence at trial. A prosecutor explains how
video technology was used to prove intent to commit murder in a
child abuse case. Interoperability encompasses communications
technology that facilitates direct communication across agencies
through preassigned radio frequencies. The value of this is
explained by officers in the field. Field officers explain the
value of bullet resistant vests in providing additional
protection in circumstances that could otherwise cause serious
injury or death. The section of the video that focuses on DNA
evidence describes a computer-assisted self-instruction course
in the use and collection of DNA evidence by police officers.
CODIS, a nationwide database of DNA profiles is also described.
The video concludes with an overview of the services provided by
the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Centers.
Date Published: January 1, 2002