Technology-based crime and its management

The modern world of science, technology and innovation has made life easier and more enjoyable. Technology has made the world more complex and given life a new lease of life. There is a side to all the technological advancements that have been made. This should not be ignored. The modern technology environment has led to new methods of crime and related activities.

This means that the crime rate and complexity have changed dramatically in the new environment. The technology-based, computer-based, or cybercrime has been a prominent part of the current list of crimes. It is clear that technological advances in criminology have had positive effects on law enforcement's response to investigations of crime.

It can be argued that while technology has had a negative impact on law enforcement's ability to tackle technology-based crimes, it has also helped to improve the law enforcement response to investigations of crime. Technology-based investigative methods contribute to this positive outcome. This paper focuses on the double-sided nature of technological advances in relation to crime.

The emergence of technology has been shown to facilitate individual and group criminals in their involvement in traditional and modern crimes. It has also increased the organizational capability, sophistication, scope, and reach of criminal organizations. "Technology facilitates criminals in targeting thousands of victims in multiple jurisdictions per crime, such as payment card fraud (debit/credit cards) or identity theft, before a victim or law enforcement is aware the crimes have taken place... it is difficult to obtain accurate and consistent statistics concerning the extent of technologically-assisted crime and the degree of loss. " (Criminal Intelligent Service Canada, 2007).

Modern law enforcement is faced with many technology-based crimes. Let's start with online frauds and crimes that are internet-based. "In the last two decades technology has opened up new doors and created new pitfalls both for criminals and law enforcement. When the FBI ended Operation Cyber Loss in May 2001, the FBI saw the enormity of online fraud. This was a national sweep of cybercrime that included 61 cases, more than 90 defendants and 57,170 victims, with losses totalling $117 million. (Rist 2002). E-mail viruses like Badtans are another example of online fraud.

B virus, distribution and sale of child pornography via the internet, piracy of software, music CDs and DVD movies, credit card theft through hardware advance, etc. "Susan Brenner is an associate dean and professor of Law at University of Dayton School of Law... and lists nine distinct areas of criminal activity that could be affected by cybercrime legislation, including vandalism, fraud, and stalking." (Rist 2002).

The National Institute of Justice sponsored a study that revealed the hard indicators of the frequency of crimes commissions and related issues and harms. It used authentic sources to produce the report. This report states that the current statistics regarding cyber crime indicate the importance of "enactment and enforcement of computer crime-specific laws" and shows how computer crime has moved toward the forefront of national crime concerns priorities. (Gordon and al., 2003).

The Federal Trade Commission report states that Internet fraud and deception complaints rose from less than 1000 in 1997 to more than 25,000 in 2000. Other data, such as the Internet Fraud Complaint Center's, the Computer Security Institute Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Computer Emergency Response Team, are also presented to highlight the severity of the problem.

Let's look at the other side of technological advancement, which is technology-based investigative methods to address the issues in an important manner. In order to strengthen law enforcement against modern crimes, the new technology-based situation is being used to its full extent in the enactment law. The Patriot Act, for example, aids in the acceleration of counterterrorism efforts. It also gives agencies more scope to perform electronic surveillance, which in turn allows agencies to monitor online activities and gather data from ISPs efficiently.

It is well-known that technology has a huge impact on law enforcement. The contribution of technology to crime detection and management is not limited to computers. "Everything from the Internet to age-progression software and biometric identity verification have had an impact on the way crime management is done." (Rist 2002).

Police and FBI now use video technology to identify criminal suspects using facial recognition software. This is an amazing example of technology-based methods that can be used to combat modern technology-based crime. Visionics' FaceIT system, which can match recorded faces with thousands of images of criminal suspects or sex offenders stored within a database, is another example of technology-based methods used today. (Rist, 2002).

Special attention should be paid to the use of technology in crime prevention. "Preventive activities and the deployment of technology along with other appropriate means are certainly capable of reducing crime and deterring offenders. This is not just because of fear of being caught." (State of Israel Ministry of Public Security 2008).

Technology is used to prevent crime. This includes the detection of counterfeit currency, electronic interference to stop telephone bugging, electronic interference for personal protection, bicycle, motorbike, automobile locks and alarm systems. (State of Israel Ministry of Public Security 2008).

The technological advances are therefore useful not only in the management of crime but also for prevention.

It may be concluded that technology has made it possible to increase the complexity and frequency of crime commissions. These technological advances have been used to improve crime prevention, management, and control. "From improvements the community will have a greater ability to control crime. From locking and alarm systems to new devices for identification and surveillance to restraining people who are a threat to themselves and others, it will be easier to tackle the challenges of both our police and community. Technology can help us make optimal use of finite resources" (Grabosky 1998).

In the modern world, technology has a significant role in crime prevention and control.