NCJ Number
190439
Date Published
August 2001
Length
126 pages
Annotation
This Australian study inquired into the law enforcement implications of new technology.
Abstract
The specific issues considered were whether the use of new technology by law enforcement agencies was adequately addressed by Commonwealth, State, and Territory legislation; the extent to which electronic commerce had facilitated the laundering of the proceeds of crime; and whether international law enforcement cooperation was sufficient to meet the challenges of new technology. The first chapter of this report focused on the legislative situation in Australia regarding the capacity of law enforcement to have access to new technologies that could enhance the response to contemporary crime. This chapter notes the lack of a consistent national approach to the use of technology in achieving multijurisdictional investigations. Chapter 2 broadly addressed the potential for money laundering through the relatively new medium of electronic commerce. Chapter 3 examined the extent to which the international community was addressing the increasingly global dimension of law enforcement, and it commented on the adequacy of Australia's role within this debate. The report presented nine recommendations. Among the recommendations were the following: that the Government give consideration to the range of offenses prescribed under sections 5(1) and 5D of the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 in the context of contemporary technological developments; that the Government make TI-related foreign intelligence warrants available to law enforcement agencies; and that the Commonwealth consult with the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General regarding whether regulation of the use of TI could be delegated to the States and Territories within a continuing context of broad-based mirror legislation. Appended submissions and witnesses at public hearings