Challenges and Choices for Crime-Fighting Technology Federal Support of State and Local Law Enforcement (2001)

by Schwabe, William; Davis, Lois M.; Jackson, Brian A.

• ISBN13: 9780833030351
• ISBN10: 0833030353
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-09-26
• Publisher: RAND Corporation

Summary

This report provides findings of a study of technology in use or needed by law enforcement agencies at the state and local level, for the purpose of informing federal policymakers as they consider technology-related support for these agencies.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. iii
Figures	p. xi
Tables	p. xiii
Executive Summary	p. xv
Acknowledgments	p. xxxvii
List of Abbreviations	p. xxxix
Introduction	p. 1
Background and Purpose	p. 1
Factors Affecting the Use of Technology by Law Enforcement	p. 3
How the Report Is Organized	p. 5
Usage of Terms	p. 6
Methodology	p. 8
Law Enforcement's Use of Technology	p. 11
Crime Prevention	p. 13
Surveillance	p. 14
Fixed-Site and Mobile Video Surveillance	p. 15
Night Vision and Electro-Optical Surveillance	p. 18
School Safety	p. 18
Crime Analysis	p. 21
Offender Tracking	p. 23
First Response	p. 25
Situation Reporting	p. 26
Emergency Reporting Systems	p. 26
Non-Emergency Reporting Systems	p. 27
Mass Notification Systems	p. 28
Tactical Communications	p. 28
Communications Within Agencies	p. 28
Interoperability Among Agencies	p. 30
Officer Deployment	p. 31
Officer Protection	p. 31
Weapons and Personal Protection Devices	p. 31
Drug and Weapons Detection	p. 39
Pursuit Management	p. 40
Counter-Terrorism	p. 42
Investigation and Apprehension	p. 45
Criminal Investigation	p. 46
Digital Crime Scene Photography	p. 46
Fingerprint Identification	p. 46
Suspect Composites	p. 48
Cybercrime	p. 48
Suspect Apprehension	p. 52
Summonses and Warrants	p. 52
Mug Shots	p. 53
Remote Case Filing	p. 53
Forensic Analysis	p. 55
Types of Crime	p. 56
Types of Evidence	p. 58
Controlled Substances	p. 59
Latent Prints	p. 60
Toxicology and Blood Alcohol	p. 60
Forensic Biology Screening	p. 60
Computer Crime Evidence	p. 60
Firearms, Tool Marks, Footwear, and Tire Prints	p. 61
Trace Evidence, Fire Debris, and Explosive Residue	p. 63
Questioned Document Analysis	p. 64
Types of Equipment	p. 64
General Lab Equipment	p. 66
Laboratory Information Management (LIM) Systems	p. 67
DNA Analysis	p. 67
Overall Stated Priorities	p. 73
Clearing Backlogs	p. 74
Trends Impacting Forensic Sciences	p. 77
Broader Visions for Forensic Science Technology	p. 79
Administration and Management	p. 83
Information Processing	p. 84
Computer Hardware	p. 84
Computerized Data and Networks	p. 85
Priorities of Computer-Related Needs	p. 87
Closing the "Digital Divide"	p. 89
Broader Visions for Information Technology	p. 90
Planning	p. 94
Tele- and Video-Conferencing	p. 94
Risk Management	p. 95
Technology Acquisition	p. 96
Training	p. 97
Current Availability of Training Technology and Technology Training	p. 98
Future Needs Related to Training	p. 99
Accountability	p. 104
Accountability to Police Leadership	p. 105
Video Cameras in Patrol Cars	p. 107
Internet Use	p. 108
Civil Rights	p. 109
Public Opinion and Privacy Issues	p. 111
Federal Challenges and Choices	p. 115
Policy Background	p. 115
Early Federal Initiatives	p. 116
More Recent Initiatives	p. 117
Sources of Technology Information and Support	p. 123
Sources of Technology Information	p. 124
Sources of Technology-Related Support	p. 124
Partnering for Technology-Related Support	p. 127
Research, Development, and Deployment	p. 129
RandD and Commercialization	p. 131
Technology Deployment	p. 134
Direct Funding	p. 135
Direct Supply	p. 136
Access	p. 137
Testing, Evaluation, and Standards	p. 138
Coordination	p. 140
Technology Application	p. 143
Technology Assistance	p. 145
News	p. 146
Advice	p. 148
Conferences	p. 150
Training	p. 151
Challenges and Choices	p. 153
Numerical Lessons from the Surveys	p. 154
Conceptual Lessons from the Surveys	p. 157
Lowering the Barriers to Technology Adoption	p. 159
Policy Considerations	p. 159
Overarching Technology Challenges	p. 161
Concluding Thoughts	p. 163
Recommendations	p. 164
Appendix
Rand Survey Methodology	p. 167
Examples of Nlectc Technology Assistance Activities	p. 175
References	p. 193
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