Essay On Role Of Technology In Criminal Investigation

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The skills that investigators require can be categorized as follows: 6.1. Technology skills: The techniques used to solve a crime range from the very complex to very simple. Knowledge about computers and related technologies is an absolute must in today’s electronic era. For e.g. an examination of digital media can reveal internet activity, journals, videos or audio recordings. Sometimes there are hidden or deleted files. There are sophisticated technologies available to improve the quality of audio and video recordings if they are not clear and access the hidden/deleted files. These electronic communications (such as e-mails and picture messaging) may be accessible from Internet service providers, cellular service providers and from computers used by …show more content…

DNA analysis is also now regularly conducted and may lead to a single source profile or a mixture. The latter may not be as desirable as the former as the probative value of the profile is very less. Similarly there are sophisticated technologies for analyzing other biological evidence such as blood, semen, bone/tissue, saliva urine, hair and fingernails. Automated ballistics technology too has become mainstream and cases that were earlier thought to be unsolvable can now to be solved. The above are only very few technologies that are commonly used in crime scene investigation. Similarly there are technologies for photographing the scene, collecting evidence and recording evidence. Knowledge about all these technologies would help in crime scene investigation though only experts would have specialized knowledge in a particular field. 6.2. People skills: People are the focus in any criminal investigation. Having good communication skills, patience, empathy, active listening skills, good judgment and problem solving skills, persuasive skills, negotiation skills, leadership skills, presentation skills and motivational