Electronic Surveillance; Technologies Continue to Pose Challenges

• NCJ Number: 151600
• Author(s): H E Edwards
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Azimuth Inc.; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Legislative Hearing/Committee Report
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This testimony focuses on the wiretapping challenges facing law enforcement agencies, the status of law enforcement's technological requirements, and the potential costs of satisfying those requirements.

Abstract

Discussions with representatives from law enforcement organizations, telephone service providers, and manufacturing companies reveal that although some technological solutions have been developed to facilitate law enforcement agencies' wiretap efforts, other changes in technology have made it more difficult for agencies to use traditional wiretap methods. Agencies have reported problems with effecting court-ordered wiretaps and that investigations being delayed or court orders not pursued because of these problems. An example of these problems is the time-lag between the introduction of cellular telephones and the ability of law enforcement to intercept criminal activity conducted on cellular phones. Law enforcement agencies and industry need to work together to determine the additional capacity that is needed to implement all lawful requests for wiretaps. Under S.2375, costs incurred by industry in attaining the desired capacity levels will be subject to reimbursement by the government. The testifier proposes three ideas to help control these costs: identification by law enforcement and industry representatives of solutions and communication of these solutions to appropriate law enforcement and industry employees across the country; identification of ways to prioritize and sequence development and deployment efforts needed to satisfy the requirements of S.2375, to ensure that costs are contained and the most critical law enforcement capability and capacity issues are addressed first; and communication of the law enforcement requirements to the standard-setting organizations consulted by industry so that the needs are addressed at the beginning of the product development cycle. A list of organizations contacted by the General Accounting Office is provided.